Imperialism and the United States Alaska & Hawaii

Reasons for U.S. Expansion Imperialism: policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations Manifest Destiny Increase the nation’s financial prosperity Strengthen the military force Spread democracy Spread western culture

America Acquires Alaska Secretary of State William Seward arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia Showed U.S. Imperialism Also made it clear to the rest of the world that the U.S. was becoming a world power. Congress officially annexed Alaska in 1884

America Acquires Alaska U.S. paid $7.2 million for the land Seward was criticized for the purchase Newspapers called it “Seward’s Icebox” others called it “Seward’s Folley” Turned out to be a bargain: Land turned out to be rich in timber, minerals, and oil

Original check used to purchase Alaska

Annexation of Hawaii American missionaries moved to Hawaii to convert the local population to Christianity In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani tried to limit the influence of the American sugar planter Planters revolted With help of Marines, they overthrew the queen, then asked to be annexed by the US

Annexation of Hawaii In the true spirit of Imperialism, the U.S. was anxious to expand the size of their nation. This expansion, would help set the stage for the U.S. to take control of the Pacific. Supporters of expansionism argued that it would increase the nation’s financial prosperity, strengthen the nation’s military, and spread democratic ideas. In the early 1800’s, American missionaries had moved to Hawaii to convert the local population to Christianity. Some missionaries descendants had started sugar plantations By late 1800’s most sugar plantations owned by wealthy Americans In 1891 Queen Liliuokalani tried to limit the power of the American sugar planters By 1893, American sugar planters, with the help of the U.S. Marines, had overthrown the Queen and her government.

Annexation of Hawaii Annexing Hawaii would prove to be more difficult than Alaska. After the successful revolt in Hawaii, American planters asked that the U.S. annex Hawaii. Americans understood the importance of the Hawaiian Islands and how the islands could benefit the U.S. In 1887, U.S. leaders pressured Hawaii to allow a U.S. base at Pearl Harbor. Why did the U.S. want this? A base at Pearl Harbor would provide the U.S. with a refueling station for merchant and military ships bound for Asia.

Annexation of Hawaii Americans already understood the importance of the Hawaiian Islands, and how the islands could benefit the U.S. In 1887, US leaders pressured Hawaii to allow a US base at Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor became an important refueling station for ships headed to Asia Hawaii was officially annexed in 1898

Annexation of Hawaii Hawaii was officially annexed into the U.S. in 1898 at a ceremony held in Honolulu.