Growth of Imperialism Unit 4

Imperialism: policy by a stronger nation to attempt to create an empire by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, or militarily.

Factors of Imperialism Economic Factors Nationalistic Factors HumanitarianFactors Militaristic Factors

Promoting Economic Growth America’s industrial economy produced more than the nation could consume Workers and farmers convinced business and political leaders that the U.S. must secure new markets abroad (a place to sell our excess goods) We also could gain access to new raw materials

Protecting American Security (Militaristic) Alfred T. Mahan -argued that the nation’s economic future depended on gaining new markets abroad -argued the U.S. needed a powerful navy to protect these markets from foreign rivals in The Influence of Sea Power upon History Naval Advisory Board -established in 1881 -Board pushed to increase Navy’s budget. Began to build cruisers and battleships. By 1900, the US had one of the most powerful navies in the world.

US Military Power: The Great White Fleet In 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt sent his Great White Fleet (an armada of 16 ships) on a “good will cruise around the world. The voyage will demonstrate America’s increased military power to the world. US Military Power: The Great White Fleet

Preserving American Spirit (Nationalistic) Many thought America was losing its strength “Worried that the closing of the frontier would sap the nation’s energy, they argued that a quest for an empire might restore the country’s pioneer spirit.” We needed new territories so we can spread what it is to be “American” Preserving American Spirit (Nationalistic)

Nationalistic Factors: Justification Frederick Jackson Turner: Argues that the frontier had served as a “safety valve,” siphoning off potential discontent Imperialists argued that Turner’s ideas required overseas expansion as a way to keep the “safety valve” open and avoid internal conflict

Humanitarian: Christian Duty Americans believed they were superior to the societies that they conquered. Implied Social Darwinism The Americans believed that expansionism was the nation’s destiny and purpose to spread Christianity & modern civilization Truly believed that people NEEDED our help

The White Man’s Burden Take up the White Man’s burden— Send forth the best ye breed— Go send your sons to exile To serve your captives' need To wait in heavy harness On fluttered folk and wild— Your new-caught, sullen peoples, Half devil and half child Take up the White Man’s burden In patience to abide To veil the threat of terror And check the show of pride; By open speech and simple An hundred times made plain To seek another’s profit And work another’s gain And reap his old reward: The blame of those ye better The hate of those ye guard— The cry of hosts ye humour (Ah slowly) to the light: "Why brought ye us from bondage, “Our loved Egyptian night?” Take up the White Man’s burden- Have done with childish days- The lightly proffered laurel, The easy, ungrudged praise. Comes now, to search your manhood Through all the thankless years, Cold-edged with dear-bought wisdom, The judgment of your peers! Source: Rudyard Kipling, “The White Man’s Burden: The United States & The Philippine Islands, 1899.” 

Closure Americans eventually accepted Imperialism. They did want new MARKETS ABROAD and favorable TRADE RELATIONS. They soon discovered that political and military entanglements followed this expansionism. US would find itself in difficult and painful foreign conflicts.

Closing Assignment QUICKWRITE Do you think the United States is still an imperial power. What kind of evidence do you have? What countries does the US currently have a presence in? (lots and lots and lots of diff. answers) In your opinion, does history repeat itself?