Imperialism Context Lecture

Expanding Horizons In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Americans looked beyond their borders and yearned for an empire. Merchants desired overseas markets, and adventurers wanted another frontier to conquer. Competition with European powers, the desire for military strength and the need for raw materials fueled expansion.

Imperialism Creating large empires by exercising economic and political control over weaker countries.

What do you find interesting about this painting? What do you find confusing about this painting?

Japan Many wanted to open trade relations with Japan, which had long been isolated from the world. Under threat of U.S. warships, Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa and opened two ports for trade with the U.S.

Do you think this show of force was necessary? Why or why not?

Seward's Ice Box William H. Seward wanted an American Empire Purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million Many people regarded Alaska as a barren, icebound land and ridiculed Seward's purchase calling it “Seward's Ice Box” or “Seward's Folly”

Latin America Fear of European influence in Latin America led to the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European nations not to attempt to establish new colonies in North or South America. The Pan-American Union established the sharing of information between the United States and Latin American countries.

If you were a Latin American country, would you want to join the Pan-American Union? Why or why not?

Hawaii The United States began trading with Hawaiians as early as 1790 and by 1830 began buying land and establishing sugar plantations. The sugar industry grew quickly and gradually the Americans took control of most of the land and businesses. Hawaiians began to resist the growing influence of Americans and Queen Liliuokalani took away powers the sugar planters held. The American sugar planters revolted, overthrowing Liliuokalani and Hawaii was later annexed, or added to the U.S. in 1898.

How would you feel if you were a native Hawaiian?

Open Door Policy China was too weak to resist the efforts of foreign powers that wanted to exploit its vast resources and markets. China was divided into sections, or spheres of influence, where each foreign power enjoyed special rights and powers. In order to expand trading interest in China, the United States created the Open Door Policy under which each foreign power could trade freely in each others sections, or spheres of influence. A secret martial arts society, known as the boxers, resisted the foreign powers in China with a violent uprising called “The Boxer Rebellion”

Exit Ticket Give one example of American Imperialism. Why is this an example of Imperialism?