American Imperialism USHC 5.1 Analyze the development of American expansionism including the change from isolationism to intervention and the rationales for imperialism based on Social Darwinism, expanding capitalism, and domestic tensions.

I. Shift in American Foreign Policy Foreign Policy – how the US deals with other countries. Most of US history to this point focused on domestic issues Westward Movement Relatively weak US military Industrial Revolution – shift from an agricultural economy to one that produces manufactured goods.

Shift in American Foreign Policy Prior to 1900 Growing economic power of US Demands for new markets manufactured goods Crops New military technologies US’s new industrial capacity

US looks to foreign influence US faces a key question….. Isolationism – a country’s attempt to eliminate foreign influence over politics and culture Avoid alliances Avoid trade agreements Imperialism – To control a foreign territory to exploit it’s natural resources by dominating it’s political, social, and economic structure – “empire” root word

Domestic Problems Encourage New Policy Need for US to expand its influence over the seas Improve navy to protect trade Improve navy to secure ports “Catch Up” with European countries trade dominance

Social Darwinism Definition – belief that biological and evolutionary superiority exists for one group of people to dominate and exploit other groups. “Survival of the Fittest” Scientific racism Used as reasoning to excuse imperialism of European countries and the United States.

Caribbean Island Independence Most Latin American countries had won independence from European countries by this time. Spain continued to control several Caribbean islands Cuba Puerto Rico