IMPERIALISM Why did the United States extend its influence overseas ?
Read George Washington's Farewell Address 1. What advice did George Washington give to America in his Farewell Address? 2. Have we followed his advice for the most part 1800-1870?
US is an Isolationist nation 1776-1870: US is an Isolationist nation Isolationism: avoiding involvement in other countries' affairs Why was the US able to have a policy of isolationism for so long?
Imperialism, 1870- 2017 When a stronger nation takes over a weaker nation for economic, political, & military control
Global Competition European nations already imperialized 3 factors fueled American involvement Desire for military strength Thirst for new markets and resources Belief in cultural superiority of American ways
Desire for Military Strength Other countries were building strong militaries, so the U.S. needed to to compete Alfred Mahan build U.S. Navy.
The Great White Fleet: 1907
Military/Strategic Interests Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783
Thirst For New Markets & Resources Advances in technology and industry led to overproduction of foods and goods. Sell products in new lands Get raw materials (natural resources) to produce manufactured goods.
Commercial/Business Interests American Foreign Trade: 1870-1914
Closing the American Frontier
Cultural Superiority Believed American way of life was best Manifest Destiny Social Darwinism “Civilize” the “inferior” and “savage” people Spread Christianity and WASP values WASP = White Anglo-Saxon Protestant
Social Darwinist Thinking The White Man’s Burden: Must “CIVILIZE” people with Christianity and American values The Hierarchy of Race
Religious/Missionary Interests American Missionaries in China, 1905
Exit Ticket Should the US have imperialized or remained isolationist?