The United States-World Power

U.S.-World Power Why was the US not heavily involved in world affairs for most of it’s early history? We were still developing as a nation No need to get involved because we were isolated We had most of the raw materials we needed Mistrust of the “Old World”

U.S.-World Power Overseas Expansion Beginning in the mid 1800s the US began to expand it’s influence around the world This expansion grew in the late 1800s. Why did the US start getting more involved and expanding it’s influence? Were we building an empire?

U.S.-World Power

U.S.-World Power Imperialism What is Imperialism? Imperialism – strong nations dominating weaker nations with their economic, political and military power. Why would a country do this?

Why Imperialism Happened U.S.-World Power Why Imperialism Happened Economic Military Nationalist Religious/Moral Factors Factors Factors Factors Get wealthier Military bases We deserve an empire Help spread our culture and religion Get Resources Security Other nations have empires

U.S.-World Power Overseas Expansion Where did the US expand its influence? Pacific Ocean Latin America Why did we focus on these areas? They were close to us They had resources we wanted They were not taken over by other world powers

U.S.-World Power US Territories

U.S.-World Power Overseas Expansion So when did we gain these other lands? Alaska – 1867: Purchased from Russia Hawaii – 1898: Taken over American Samoa – 1899: Taken over

U.S.-World Power Opposition to Imperialism Why would some Americans be opposed to imperialism? Some opposed getting into other people’s problems Many felt it was not the right thing to do Not fair to take over other people’s lands

WAR!!! U.S.-World Power Spanish-American War – 1898 Why was it fought? Seen as the event that made America a World power Why was it fought? Spain controlled Cuba and other colonies (Puerto Rico) Why would this bother Americans? We didn’t like a European power in our back yard. American businesses had operations in Cuba American’s wanted more control of Cuba Cubans were fighting for independence Americans sympathized with Cubans The media was very anti-Spain

U.S.-World Power USS Maine

U.S.-World Power The Spanish-American War US defeated Spain in a few months US gained territories in Latin America and Pacific Puerto Rico Guam Philippines Cuba gained independence Theodore Roosevelt became a national hero Within 3 years he went from War Hero to Governor of New York to Vice-President to President

U.S.-World Power

U.S.-World Power Panama Canal What is a canal? What is the Panama Canal? Why is it important? History The French tried to build a canal but failed. During the Spanish-American War the US had problems that a canal would solve. What were the problems?

U.S.-World Power

U.S.-World Power Panama Canal The US forced Panama to give us the land for the canal and kept the canal until 1999. The building of the canal was an engineering miracle. US built the canal over a 10 year period Helped the world and American economy Helped the US military

U.S.-World Power

U.S.-World Power By the early 1900s, the US was a world power. Strong military Very Strong Economy Technological Advances The US was a world power but would it act like one?