The U.S. Gains Overseas Territories Unit 2: The Beginning of Modern America Chapter 5: America as a World Power The U.S. Gains Overseas Territories

Class Activity Read: Chapter 5: America as a World Power Section 1: The United States Gains Overseas Territories Complete: Reading Assessment

“Expansion & Imperialism” Homework Study Guide: “Expansion & Imperialism”

the United States expand its influence around Lesson Objective Why and how did the United States expand its influence around the world?

American Foreign Policy When President George Washington published his Farewell Address in 1796, he advised the nation to seek trade with other nations but not involve itself in foreign affairs. This policy guided the United States for about 100 years.

American Foreign Policy Many Americans interpreted Washington’s words in different ways. Some Americans believed that the United States should follow a policy of isolationism, or non-involvement, in world affairs. Others argued that Washington wanted the United States to trade and should not be isolated from the rest of the world.

Reasons for U.S. Expansion Americans had always sought ways to expand the United States. Throughout the 19th century the U.S. had expanded to the Pacific Coast. By the 1880’s many leaders in the U.S. believed that they should expand overseas. This policy was known as: - the policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. Imperialism

Do Now Activity Reading Assignment: “The Economic Causes of Imperialism” Complete: Question Sheet

Reasons for U.S. Expansion European nations had been establishing colonies for centuries. By the 1800’s, Europeans had established colonies throughout Africa. In Asia, the Europeans competed with Japan over territories, especially China. Africa Japan China

3 Factors that led to American Imperialism 1. Economic Interests 2. Military Interests 3. Belief in Cultural Superiority.

Seward and Alaska William Seward was a strong backer of expansion. In 1867, as Secretary of State he arranged to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars. It would turn out to be a great bargain for the United States.

On April 20, 1867, Harper’s Weekly featured a cartoon about the purchase of Alaska by the United States. Seward’s deal with Russia was widely criticized. Many Newspapers called Alaska “Polar Bear Garden” and “Seward’s Icebox.”

The Purchase of Alaska Original Treasury Note for the Purchase of Alaska. The U.S. paid less than two cents an acre for Alaska.

The American Empire Expands In 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward signed a treaty with Russia to purchase Alaska. He believed that the United States could build an empire in Hawaii and other regions of the world through trade. In 1867, he acquired two small islands in the Pacific region – Midway. He believed that these islands could serve as a stopping place for American ships en route to China.

The American Empire Expands The Hawaiian Islands are composed of 8 large and 100 or so smaller islands and lie about 2000 miles west of California. American trading and whaling ships often stopped at the islands to get supplies and fresh water. In the 1790’s, Americans began trading with Hawaiians for local resources and trade between the two countries increased. One negative effect of this trade was that American and European traders brought infectious diseases to the islands. These diseases devastated the local population.

The Annexation of Hawaii In the early 1800’s Christian missionaries from the United States moved to Hawaii to convert the population. Many of their descendents settled in Hawaii and started sugar plantations. By the late 1800’s these wealthy sugar planters dominated Hawaii’s economy.

The Annexation of Hawaii In 1893, American sugar planters staged a revolt and overthrew the government of Hawaii with the help of U.S. Marines. In 1898, Hawaii was annexed by the United States. The islands became an important refueling station for American merchant and military ships bound for Asia. Queen Liliuokalani

The Islands of Samoa In 1878, Samoa gave the United States special trading rights and permission to build a naval station. Great Britain and Germany were also given trading rights. Tensions soon arose as they competed for power in Samoa. In 1899, the three countries met and decided to divide the Samoa Islands. Samoa was soon annexed by the United States. About 3,000 miles from Hawaii lay the Samoa Islands. The islands were directly on the trade route linking Australia and the United States. In the 1830’s American missionaries went to Samoa to convert the natives to Christianity.

American Samoa

acquire Midway, Hawaii and the Samoa Islands? Review Question Why did the United States acquire Midway, Hawaii and the Samoa Islands?

Class Activity: Understanding World Geography Outline Map Activity U.S. Territorial Influence, 1867-1917