February 3, 2011 Unit 4 - Imperialism Aim: How has American foreign policy changed? Do Now: 1.) What is foreign policy? 2.) What does a country need to do or have in order to become a world power?

 After the Revolutionary War (1783), the U.S. followed a policy of isolationism, which means… ◦ Staying out of the political, economic, and social affairs of other nations.  In George Washington’s Farewell Address as president he warned future presidents that, for our own protection, we should not get involved in foreign entanglements ◦ fights among other countries

 Before and after the Civil War, Americans searched for better opportunities by settling new lands in the West and South. This is known as expansionism, which means… ◦ The policy of expanding a country’s land by acquiring or inhabiting new territories.  In 1803, we bought the Louisiana Purchase from France. We felt we needed this territory for 2 reasons…

1.) We wanted to control the Mississippi River Why? ◦ It had fertile land and it would give us control of the port of New Orleans 2.) We felt it was our duty to control the continental United States. This is a policy known as Manifest Destiny.

 In 1823, the Monroe Doctrine warned European nations that: ◦ There would be no more colonization in the Western Hemisphere. ◦ The U.S. would act as the “police” of the Western Hemisphere

 After the Civil War, there were Americans interested in building a powerful overseas empire. They believed the U.S. should acquire foreign lands. Secretary of State William Seward believed an American Empire needed three things to be successful, including: ◦ Transcontinental Railroad ◦ Canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans ◦ Rapid communication system (telegraph)

 Policy of one government controlling the economic or political affairs of a weaker country  Alfred Thayer Mahan advised that an overseas colonies would be needed for many reasons. Therefore, he persuaded Congress to build a modern navy.