Unit 3. American Imperialism EQ: How did the US come to be a global power? Major topics Motives for imperialism Acquisition of Alaska and Hawaii Spanish-American War and acquisition of the Philippines Major assessments Spanish-American War article Presidential Advisory Committee speeches

The Origins of a Global Power US Imperialism

THE ROOTS OF EXPANSIONISM

George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796) Washington warned Americans to “steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”

Manifest Destiny MANIFEST DESTINY (coined 1845): the belief that the mission of the United States was to: expand bring democracy to others spread American values across the continent and perhaps even the world What to do when we occupy the entire continent?

American Progress (John Gast, 1872)

WHY IMPERIALISM?

The Changing United States Emerged as economic and political giant Immigration, urbanization, industrialization Everyday lives changed radically

Immigration 1890s: 45% immigrants or children of immigrants New immigrants

US Immigration from Leading Countries Between Ireland 36.9%24.4%15.4%12.8%11% Germany 34.8%35.2%27.4%27.5%15.7% Britain 13.5%14.9%21.1%15.5%8.9% Scandinavia 0.9%5.5%7.6%12.7%10.5% Russia *0.2%1.3%3.5%12.2% Austria-Hungary *0.2%2.2%6%14.5% Italy *0.5%1.7%5.1%16.3%

Urbanization 1/3 Americans=city dwellers by 1900 Problems in the cities Immigration + urbanization + industrialization = fears

Industrialization and International Trade Manufacturing overtakes agriculture Exports: cotton, grain, beef, tobacco, dairy products, manufactured goods Value of exports: $1 billion by 1890s Surplus and tariffs 1893 depression= more fears

Crisis!  Would immigration fundamentally change the United States? Could the US’s prosperity be sustained now that the nation had reached its physical limits?

Overseas expansion is the answer! Expansionists Expand into Asian markets Control land and canals in Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific islands Expansion  political power

Imperialism Imperialism: the policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories

Motives: Economic Competition Raw materials New markets Foreign trade US was a leading economic power by 1900

Motives: Political and Military Competition Build up military strength Alfred Thayer Mahan ( ) argues for a strong US navy The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890) US becomes world’s 3 rd largest naval power

Motives: Social Darwinism “Survival of the fittest” Scientific racism European and American superiority Duty to “civilize”

AMERICA EXPANDS

US Buys Alaska 1867: Secretary of State William Seward buys Alaska from Russia $7.2 million; only 2 cents per acre! “Seward’s Folly” Rich in natural resources

Hawaii: Before it was a state Americans owned sugar plantations that provided ¾ of the islands’ wealth 1900: foreigners and immigrant laborers outnumber native Hawaiians 3 to : treaty allowed sale of Hawaiian sugar in US without duty 1887: white business leaders forced King Kalakua to change constitution 1887: US coerced Hawaii to sign treaty allowing construction of naval base at Pearl Harbor

Hawaii: The Crisis McKinley Tariff (1890): duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar eliminated Competition in US market from Cuba sugar Queen Lilioukalani proposed new constitution to remove property qualifications for voting

Hawaii: Road to Annexation Business groups organized a revolution against queen Marines took over government building and imprisoned queen Established government with Sanford B. Dole as president Eventually, in 1898, Hawaii is annexed Annex: to incorporate (territory) into the domain of a city, country, or state

Summary 1890s period of great change Many changes alarming and frightening Approaches to restore economic well- being, promote American ideals, assert American power Significant element of US policy in 1890s becomes involvement overseas