Chapter 17 Becoming a World Power Section 1 The Imperialist Vision

Building Support for Imperialism Beginning in the 1880s Americans attitudes changed as a result of economic and military competition from other nations and a growing feeling of cultural superiority.

A Desire for New Markets Imperialism is the economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker nations. Several European nations were expanding their power overseas, a development known as New Imperialism. One reason was their dependence on raw materials from all over the world.

A Desire for New Markets To protect their investments, European nations exerted control over territories where they had invested capital and sold products. Some areas became colonies, others became protectorates.

Protectorates In a protectorate, the imperial power allowed local rulers to remain in control while protecting them against rebellion and invasion. In return local rulers had to accept advice from the Europeans on how to govern their country.

A Feeling of Superiority *Don’t Write* Americans wanted to develop overseas markets to keep the economy strong. Social Darwinists argued that as nations competed, only the strongest would survive. Americans used these ideas to justify expanding American power overseas.

A Feeling of Superiority John Fiske – wrote about “Anglo-Saxinism”, the idea that the English-speaking nations had superior character, ideas, and systems of government and were destined to dominate the planet.

Quoted in Expansionists of 1898 “The work which the English race began when it colonized North America is destined to go on until every land…that is not already the seat of an old civilization shall become English in its language, in its religion, in political habits and traditions, and to a predominant extent in the blood of its people.”

A Feeling of Superiority Josiah Strong linked missionary work to Anglo-Saxonism, convincing many Americans to support imperialism.

Expansion in the Pacific Americans hoped to expand trade to China & Japan, but Japan only allowed trade with the Chinese & Dutch. 1852 Pres. Franklin Pierce ordered Commodore Matthew C. Perry to travel to Japan to negotiate a trade treaty.

Perry Opens Japan 1854, impressed by American technology and power, Japan signed a treaty opening two ports to American trade.

Annexing Hawaii During an 1872 recession in Hawaii, the U.S. exempted Hawaiian sugar from tariffs. Treaty came up for renewal and Senate insisted Hawaii give U.S. exclusive rights to a naval base at Pearl Harbor. Treaty led to a boom in the Hawaiian sugar industry.

Annexing Hawaii 1891 – Queen Liliuokalani became queen of Hawaii. 1893 – group of planters, supported by Marines forced the queen to give up her power. U.S. then annexed the islands.

Trade & Diplomacy in Latin America Late 1800s, the U.S. wanted to increase its influence in L.A. by increasing the sale of American products.

Trade & Diplomacy in Latin America Sec of St. James G. Blaine led early efforts to expand American influence in Latin America. He proposed the idea that the U.S. and L.A. work together in what became known as Pan-Americanism.

Pan-American Conference 1889 in Washington, D.C. Goals: (which were both rejected) Create a customs union between L.A. and the U.S. Create a system for American nations to work out their disputes peacefully.

Organization of American States (OAS) Latin Americans agreed to create the Commercial Bureau of the American Republics, an organization that worked to promote cooperation among nations of the Western Hemisphere.

Building a Modern Navy Americans were willing to risk war to defend American interests overseas. This led to support for a large modern navy.

Alfred Mahan Published lectures in a book called The Influence of Seapower Upon History, 1660-1783. Suggests that a nation needs a large navy to protect its merchant ships & defend its right to trade with other countries. Felt it necessary to acquire territory for naval bases.

Henry Cabot Lodge Senators Lodge & Albert J. Beveridge, pushed for construction of a new navy. By late 1890s, U.S. was one of the top-ranked naval powers in world. Spring 1898, war began b/w Spain & the U.S.

Next: Section 2 The Spanish-American War End of Section 1 Next: Section 2 The Spanish-American War