Chapter 10 Section 1 Pressure to Expand

What creates our national identity? 1. rise of cities beginnings of mass culture, such as the same -sport’s heroes -movie stars -favorite snacks 3. westward expansion coast to coast communications -telephones -telegraphs -trains

Growth of Imperialism imperialism- stronger nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations.

Why were countries creating empires? Economics: -new markets were needed -the need for natural resources Nationalism: -People identified themselves with the nation that they lived in…Germans, Italians, Americans. -People believed their culture was superior.

Why were countries creating empires? Militarism: -Countries were competing to have the largest militaries. -A need to have refueling stations for a country’s navy. Humanitarianism: -Some believed they needed to “help” civilize uncivilized countries. -laws -medicine -religion

Early Imperialism Many European countries took over areas in Africa and Asia-see map on pg. 351 “the sun never sets on the British Empire” By 1890, U.S. eager to compete for new territories

US Policy Before Imperialism 1796- President Washington, “steer clear of permanent alliances” isolationism-policy of avoiding political or economic alliances with foreign countries. Manifest Destiny: It was our destiny to expand from sea to sea.

Expanding U.S. Interests Monroe Doctrine: Warns European countries to stay out of the Western Hemisphere. We are the police of our hemisphere. Kept France out of Mexico Great Britain & Venezuela dispute and we are the arbitrators We buy Alaska from Russia **It makes us seem stronger than we really are.

Arguments for U.S. Expansion 1. economic reasons are the biggest argument -depressions & panics -must secure new markets oversea -American business invest directly into the economies of other countries. banana republic- Central American nations dominated by U.S. business interests

Arguments for U.S. Expansion 2. protect American security Alfred T. Mahan’s book Influence of Sea Power upon History describes what the US needs to do to become a world power.

Arguments for U.S. Expansion Mahan says to become a world power : build a large modern navy refueling stations in the Caribbean refueling stations in the Pacific build the Panama Canal *Do we follow his suggestions?

YES!!!! Great White Fleet leaving VA-1907

Arguments for U.S. Expansion 3. Preserve the American spirit of adventure -keep our pioneer spirit now that the Great Plains are settled - “civilize” the people we come across