U.S. Imperialism 1890-1914

Imperialism When a strong nation takes over a smaller/weaker nation Countries do this to get natural resources Countries do this gain new markets (people to sell their stuff to) Countries needed natural resources because of Industrialization. Why? Because factories needed natural resources to build stuff or to fuel their machines

European Imperialism European nations went out and conquered much of Africa and Asia to fuel their industries and to gain new markets European nations also wanted more territory because they felt: they were better and they had a duty to spread their religion and culture They were able to do this because of advances in military technology and transportation

Monroe Doctrine Foreign Policy established by President James Monroe States that we are not going to get involved in European affairs States that we are not going to let Europe colonize any more of the Western Hemisphere States that we are not going to make permanent alliances with European nations

Manifest Destiny The belief that the United States should spread from Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean. The American People and their government believe this gives them the right to go to war with Mexico so we can expand our nation.

U.S. Imperialism The U.S. is also industrializing and feels the need to compete with Europe for new markets. We use the Monroe doctrine to justify going to war with European nations over territories in the Western Hemisphere.

Spanish-American War Spain controls Cuba Cubans want Spain out Ask the U.S. to intervene U.S. sends the U.S.S Maine into Cuba to protect U.S. citizens and property U.S.S. Maine explodes and sinks 250 American sailors die Spain denies involvement

Spanish-American War The sinking of the Maine gives the U.S. an excuse to go to war with Spain. U.S. wins decisively Only 400 American Servicemen die in battle 2,100 die because of disease Theodore Roosevelt assembles his Rough Riders Spain gives up Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba

Other U.S. Acquisitions Hawaii-An independent nation annexed by the U.S. for the Sugar Cane Industry Alaska-Purchased by Secretary of State William Seward for 2 cents an acre (Seward’s Folly) Midway Island-An island in the Pacific we used as a stepping stone for Asian trade Samoa-another stepping stone Panama-A Central American nation we wanted so we could build a canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans