American Imperialism Why Did the U.S. Want to Expand?

What is Imperialism? Strong nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations Economically Politically Culturally Militarily

Global Competition European history of colonization European history of colonization “Keeping up with the Joneses” “Keeping up with the Joneses” Belief in Manifest Destiny Belief in Manifest Destiny

Desire for Military Strength Nations with empires have strong militaries Nations with empires have strong militaries Admiral Alfred T. Mahan: urged for a strong navy to compete with European countries Admiral Alfred T. Mahan: urged for a strong navy to compete with European countries U.S. Navy becomes 3 rd largest in the world U.S. Navy becomes 3 rd largest in the world

The Great White Fleet

New Markets Overproduction of goods in the U.S. Overproduction of goods in the U.S. Need new markets Need new markets Need more raw materials Need more raw materials

Belief in Cultural Superiority Combination Combination Social Darwinism Social Darwinism Racial Superiority of Anglo-Saxons Racial Superiority of Anglo-Saxons Christianity = “civilized” Christianity = “civilized” * 2004 survey

These Ideas Lead to… Changes in foreign policy Changes in foreign policy One country’s set of goals that dictate how it will interact with other countries One country’s set of goals that dictate how it will interact with other countries U.S. goes from isolation to imperialism U.S. goes from isolation to imperialism

Yellow Journalism Scandal Sells

What is Yellow Journalism? Exaggerated writing to lure and enrage Exaggerated writing to lure and enrage Sensational stories Sensational stories Not always true Not always true The beginning of tabloids? The beginning of tabloids? Extra!!! Aliens stole my baby!

Who Are the Major Players? Joseph Pulitzer Joseph Pulitzer Owned newspaper New York World Owned newspaper New York World Focused on human- interest stories, scandal Focused on human- interest stories, scandal Turned it into the largest paper in the country Turned it into the largest paper in the country William Randolph Hearst Owned New York Journal Elected to House of Representatives 3 times Created big publishing empire

Major Players Both “stole” writers from each other Both “stole” writers from each other Created sensational headlines to win Circulation Wars (who could sell more) Created sensational headlines to win Circulation Wars (who could sell more)

Can you pick a “Yellow” headline? Situation: the warship U.S.S. Maine explodes in the harbor at Havana, Cuba. The U.S. has supported the Cuban uprising against Spain Situation: the warship U.S.S. Maine explodes in the harbor at Havana, Cuba. The U.S. has supported the Cuban uprising against Spain “Destruction of the War Ship Maine Was the Work of an Enemy” “Destruction of the War Ship Maine Was the Work of an Enemy” “Cause of War Ship Maine Explosion Not Yet Known” “Cause of War Ship Maine Explosion Not Yet Known”

#2 Over 100,000 volunteers are given Army duty to end the fighting in Cuba Over 100,000 volunteers are given Army duty to end the fighting in Cuba “Call to duty!” “Call to duty!” “Volunteer Army Assigned to Cuba” “Volunteer Army Assigned to Cuba”

#3 Insurgents attacked the capital of the Philippines. American troops kill about Insurgents attacked the capital of the Philippines. American troops kill about “American Troops Stop Insurgents” “American Troops Stop Insurgents” “Awful Slaughter. Beaten Insurgents Torn to Pieces by Dewey’s Guns” “Awful Slaughter. Beaten Insurgents Torn to Pieces by Dewey’s Guns”

#4 American officials looking into the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine suspect Spain’s involvement. American officials looking into the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine suspect Spain’s involvement. “Belief in Spanish Guilt Growing” “Belief in Spanish Guilt Growing” “Crisis is at Hand. Spanish Treachery.” “Crisis is at Hand. Spanish Treachery.”

Create Your Own On a separate sheet of paper, copy the following situations On a separate sheet of paper, copy the following situations Create your own “Yellow” headlines Create your own “Yellow” headlines Yellow = Sensational, exaggerated Yellow = Sensational, exaggerated

Situation 1 Iran’s president has threatened to wipe Israel (an American ally) off the map if his country gains nuclear weapons. Americans have received intelligence that Iran is only weeks away from completing a nuclear bomb. Iran’s president has threatened to wipe Israel (an American ally) off the map if his country gains nuclear weapons. Americans have received intelligence that Iran is only weeks away from completing a nuclear bomb.

Situation 2 A famous pop singer has been receiving terrible reviews for her comeback tour. Two days before her most important concert, she disappears. Police still aren’t sure what happened. A famous pop singer has been receiving terrible reviews for her comeback tour. Two days before her most important concert, she disappears. Police still aren’t sure what happened.