Reasons for American Imperialism

The Roots of American Imperialism Imperialism  stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military power over weaker nations Economic Roots Political & Military Roots Racist Roots Industrial overproduction in the U.S. led to the need for raw materials from overseas and new markets abroad *** Mercantilism** No more Frontier- America expanded all it could in the US Global military expansion of European powers led to a U.S. desire to do the same Belief in superiority of Anglo-Saxons; U.S. had a responsibility to expand and spread Christianity and civilization( Manifest Destiny)

Social Darwinism Political, economic, and military competition between nations leads to the failure of the weak and the “survival of the fittest” Small, “inferior” states will be overpowered by “superior” states

Anglo-Saxonism Belief that English speaking nations were destined to rule due to superior character, ideas, and systems of government Popular in Britain and the US Fit well with American idea of “Manifest Destiny”

John Fiske 1842 – 1901 Writer / Historian Argued that physical evolution of man had ended due to social developments As a result, the society which is superior will be the dominant force in social evolution

Josiah Strong 1847 – 1916 Protestant minister Americans should support imperialism because it spreads Christianity The Anglo-Saxon race have a responsibility to “civilize and Christianize” the rest of the world Identified 7 “perils” for American society: Catholicism, Mormonism, Socialism, intemperance, wealth, urbanization, & immigration

Capt. Alfred T. Mahan 1840 – 1914 1890: Wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History Argued that powerful nations have powerful navies Powerful navies require naval bases worldwide His ideas won widespread political support in both Congress and the White House

The Great White Fleet Fleet of 16 US battleships sent out on a world tour to demonstrate American naval might between 1907 and 1909 on orders of President Theodore Roosevelt Greatly enhanced American prestige

US Expansion

Purchase of Alaska “Seward’s Folly” Purchased from Russia by Sec. of State William Seward for $7.2 million in 1867 US wanted Russian competition out of North America Turned out, Alaska was loaded with gold & oil!

Timeline-U.S. Imperialism in Hawaii 1875 Treaty allows Hawaiian sugar to be sold in the U.S., duty (tax) free 1887 U.S. business leaders force a constitutional change allowing only wealthy landowners to vote; force Hawaii to allow naval base at Pearl Harbor 1890 McKinley Tariff eliminates the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar 1891 Liliuokalani becomes Queen of Hawaii 1897 William McKinley – who favors annexation – becomes president 1898 Congress proclaims Hawaii an American territory Sanford B. Dole Business groups organized a revolution, overthrew Liliuokalani, and put Dole in charge of the new government Queen Liliuokalani “Hawaii for Hawaiians!”

Americans in Hawaii First Americans arrived in 1819 (Christian missionaries) Thousands of Americans soon flooded the islands to create sugar plantations, coming to dominate the islands’ economy and present a threat to the native monarchy Americans forced the “Bayonet Constitution” on Hawaiian king in 1887 which gave whites the vote & limited the monarch’s power

Queen Liliuokalani 1838 – 1917 Queen 1891 – 1893 Lydia Kamaka’eha Kaola Mali’i Lili’uokalani Attempted to throw out the Bayonet Constitution and extend suffrage to native Hawaiians and Asians This angered Americans in Hawaii, and they began to plot an overthrow of the queen

Economic Pressure American sugar planters in Hawaii were also upset that the McKinley Tariff had placed a high tariff on Hawaiian sugar; if they could convince US to annex Hawaii, they would be part of the US and not subject to the tariff

Overthrow of the Queen 1893: Americans staged a coup, then reported to the American consulate that American lives and property were in danger due to the coup! US consulate called Marines ashore from the US naval base at Pearl Harbor Hawaiians interpreted this as US support for the coup and surrendered

Annexation of Hawaii American sugar planters established a temporary government, believing that the US would annex Hawaii immediately Pres. Cleveland was furious with the way the sugar planters had manipulated the coup to look like it was US backed and blocked attempts to annex Hawaii The independent Republic of Hawaii existed from 1893 - 1898 US finally annexed Hawaii in 1898 under Pres. McKinley

For Imperialism Against Imperialism 1. Imperialism was the product of strains in US society due to industrialization Increase in productivity=need for new markets to expand into US needs more natural resources 2. The US needed to continue its frontier experience overseas Continental frontier was not longer adequate for the population. US needed “elbow room” 3. US belief in cultural superiority Race, values, religion, and economics Goal was to civilize the world Helping “lesser peoples” 4. Social Darwinism was a prominent belief People believed that “survival of the fittest” applied to people AND nations 1. Goes against beliefs of Christianity to force people to “follow suit” (most Americans were Christians at this time) Imperialism is undemocratic 2. US does not have the military capabilities to protect an overseas empire 3. Stay out of European affairs Use the two oceans to protect us Stay isolated 4. Imperialism= tyranny US was a colony of Great Britain once 5. There is no need to expand overseas US is a vast nation Plenty of natural resources Plenty of markets for goods

Acquiring New Lands Activity Instructions In your assigned groups, you will: Read about two lands US acquired and fill in your chart. Discuss and explain why the US acquired and what were the benefits and drawbacks from inhabitants. Lastly, write a short essay answering the question: “To what extent was US imperialism justified?”. Support your answer with documents (Academic-2) ( Honors-4)

Acquiring New Lands Puerto Rico 1898-1916 Cuba 1898-1903 The Philippines 1898-1945 China 1900 What was its relationship to the U.S.? Very similar to a colony or protectorate (a country whose affairs are partially governed by a stronger power) Protectorate; very similar to a colony Very similar to a colony or protectorate “Trading partner” Why did the U.S. try to control its affairs? Its location was of strategic importance to the U.S. To protect U.S. business (sugar) To provide the U.S. with raw materials and new markets To establish and protect new markets in China What laws and policies affected its relationship with the U.S.? Foraker Act  gave president the right to appoint P.R. governor Platt Amendment  U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba Similar policy U.S. pursued in Puerto Rico Open Door policy  no nation should have a monopoly on trade with China What violent events affected it relationship with the U.S.? Spanish-American War Spanish-American War; Philippine-American War Boxer Rebellion  Chinese rebels who tried to overthrow foreign powers

Acquiring New Lands Guam Panama Canal Hawaii What was its relationship to the U.S.? Very similar to a colony or protectorate (a country whose affairs are partially governed by a stronger power) Very similar to a colony or protectorate (a country whose affairs are partially governed by a stronger power). From 1890-1939. Trading partner who later was annexed to the US. Why did the U.S. try to control its affairs? Its location was of strategic importance to the U.S. ( Military) Wanted a canal across Central America to avoid shipping goods and naval vessels around the tip of South America Its location strategic importance to US Military (Pearl Harbor) US had business interest (sugar) What laws and policies affected its relationship with the U.S.? Platt Amendment  U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba McKinley Tariff What violent events affected it relationship with the U.S.? Spanish-American War--- Treaty of Paris US made offer to Colombia to buy but was denied. Then US supports a revolt by a pro-US group willing to allow the canal to be built by Americans Overthrow of the queen. This caused Pres. Cleveland to deny annexation Until Pres. McKinley, annex it in 1898

John Hay’s Open Door Notes John Hay’s “Open Door Notes” paved the way for greater U.S. influence in Asia. What were three beliefs held by Americans that were reflected by the Open Door Policy? 1. The U.S. economy relied on exports to ensure growth. 2. The U.S. had the right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open to it. 3. U.S. survival was threatened by the closing of an area to American products, citizens, or ideas.