Joining the Imperialist Club The US Becomes a World Power

After the Civil War many Americans showed little interest in expanding beyond the continental US. Instead they focused on reconstructing the South, building up the nation’s industries and and settling the west. Beginning in the 1880s American opinion began to shift. More people wanted to make the US a world power.

Imperialism is the economic and political domination of a strong nation over other weaker nations. European nations had been imperialistic and gained colonies for centuries. Britain had the most colonies around the world, controlled a 25% of world’s land and people. Other nations wanted pieces for themselves.

Why Imperialism? Four factors that influenced European and American imperialism Economic Political Military Social

Economic - Tariffs Countries had placed high tariffs against each other This reduced trade between industrial countries. Needed new places and people to sell their products to. American farmers and industries had a surplus of goods

Economic - Investments Investment opportunities within Europe were limited. Most of the factories, railroads and mines that Europe’s economy needed had been built. Began looking overseas for places to invest their money. They began building industry in Africa and Asia Countries wanted access to new natural resources

US Foreign Investments 1869 - 1908

Political Gaining colonies and expanding overseas increased a nation’s power, status and influence in world affairs.

Military Countries needed strong navies to protect territories and overseas investments. Resulted in the build up of strong, modernized navies.

Military – Naval Power Captain Alfred T. Mahan published a book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1783. The Spanish, British and Dutch built large fleets of merchant ships in order to trade around the world. A nation needed a large, powerful navy to protect its merchant ships and defend the right to trade with other countries. The US would need territory for naval bases around the world. stops for repairs, coal fueling stations, and supplies

Social - A Feeling of Superiority Supporters of Social Darwinism argued that nations competed with each other politically, economically and militarily and only the strongest would survive. A well known writer and historian John Fiske, took the idea even further. Argued that English speaking nations had superior character, ideas and systems of government and were destined to dominate the planet.

The Hierarchy of Race The White Man’s Burden

Social - Missionary Work Part of the idea of Manifest Destiny. Destiny of the US to expand overseas and spread its civilization to other people Bring Christianity and democracy to poor uncivilized peoples

American Missionaries in China 1905

Closing of the Frontier The US had always been able to expand by settling more land in North America Settlers had filled up the western frontier. There was now no where to go but overseas.

Colony vs. Protectorate European countries began to exert control over the territories where they invested money and sold products. Many became colonies, others became protectorates. The imperial power allows local rulers to stay in control and protected them against rebellions and invasion. In exchange for protection, local rulers had to accept “advice” on how to govern their countries.

Uncle Sam – One of the Boys?

Anti-Imperialist Movement Many Americans fought against the push for Imperialism. Cost too much in military protection Dominated peoples didn’t have same rights as American citizens Some Americans saw imperialism as a threat to Anglo- Saxon culture