Imperialism & Expansion America Ch. 17

Section 1

 In the late 1800’s European nations took over vast areas in Africa and Asia  American leaders wanted to extend U.S. power abroad (do you know what abroad means?)  Imperialism: stronger nations attempting to create an empire by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, or militarily

 Economic factors  Nationalistic factors  Military factors  Humanitarian factors

 The expansion of industry increased demand for natural resources – some of which came from underdeveloped areas of the world  Industrial nations also were in constant search of new markets to sell their products

 Nationalism: feelings of pride and dedication to one’s country  Often results in people believing their beliefs and goals are superior to those of others  Nationalistic feelings led European nations to compete for colonies to protect their own interests and to stop their rivals’ expansion

 European military technology advanced faster than that of Africa or Asia  This made it nearly impossible for natives to prevent European takeover  As European navies continued to expand they needed bases around the globe for refueling, maintenance, and supplies

 Colonial officials, doctors, and missionaries believed it was their duty to spread the blessings of Western civilization  Law  Medicine  Government  Religion aka convert the heathens to Christianity

 1796 – George Washington urged future presidents to avoid any permanent alliances with other countries  1820 – Monroe Doctrine: President James Monroe ( ) declared America would be neutral in European wars but warned against other nations interfering in the Western Hemisphere (the Americas)

 : Manifest Destiny  Used to justify U.S. expansion to the Pacific  Led to the acquisition of California, the Pacific Northwest, Texas, and other Southwestern lands  1867: Seward’s Folly – Sec. of State bought Alaska from Russia  1860’s: Negotiated trade deals with Japan and China  1867: Annexed the uninhabited Midway Islands in the Pacific to serve as naval refueling stations

 Promoting economic growth  Protecting American security  Preserving the American Spirit

 America needed new markets abroad for its industrial products  We simply could not use all of what we made!  Financial panics and economic depressions plagued America after the Civil War  Many powerful businessmen pushed the idea that America’s economic problems would be solved by expansion

 Some U.S. businessmen invested directly in the economies of some Central American countries  This earned them political influence and favorable economic deals  Banana Republics: nickname for Central American countries influenced politically and economically by powerful U.S. investors

 Lobbyists in favor of a strong navy teamed with business leaders to convince Congress to upgrade the U.S. Navy to protect overseas trade and investment  By 1900 America had one of the most powerful navies in the world – suggesting it was willing and able to confront an enemy on the open sea

 A group of Americans believed the country was losing its fire because the frontier was closed (meaning we had expanded to the Pacific) and a quest for an overseas empire would reenergize the nation  Others believed in Social Darwinism, so it was ok for us to go out and colonize as a strong nation. In fact, it was a great thing to bring civilization and Christianity to others!

 Gradually public opinion warmed to the idea of overseas expansion  Many did not want to rule foreign people, but they did want favorable trade relations and new markets abroad for American goods  What Americans would soon find out is those things often lead to violent and difficult foreign conflicts

How about this? This 1904 political cartoon is titled “ His 128 th Birthday” What did America receive for its birthday, according to the artist? What is the symbolism of the Eagle’s wingspan?