Period 7: American Imperialism Student Structured Notes

A. The USA undertook an expansionist foreign policy to locate new markets. surplus products Compete with European nations for colonies Spread blessings of American civilation (L.A/Asia)

American Expansion 19th century B. American Expansion 19th century Manifest Destiny 1840s Expansion within the continental USA Expansion to overseas territories Expansion of territory control of resources cultural influence dominance of others

1. Dramatic Change Americans followed Geo. Washington’s advice of neutrality (1796) Monroe Doctrine (1823) - further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention.

2. The Quest for New Products Americans had a burst of productivity during the 2nd Industrial Revolution Factories & farms ( 4 x) Needed new sources of raw materials Needed new markets of consumers

3. Alfred Mahan & New Strategic Thinking Captain Alfred Mahan published a book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890) Argued that sea power was the key to commercial prosperity and national greatness Encouraged U.S. govt to build navy Vice President Theodore Roosevelt & others agreed

4. The Ideology of Expansion Social Darwinists used theory to explain rise and fall of nations example – strong European nations (England, France, Germany) began to dominate areas of Africa and Asia Supporters of expansion encouraged Americans to take more aggressive role in international affairs Americans already thought their pol. & econ. Systems were superior to all others

D. The Spanish-American War

Background: Spain vs. America Who? Where? Phillipines, Cuba (Spain’s Colonies)

1867 USA

Why? Help give freedom to Spain’s colonies!