The Imperialist Vison Imperialism- is the economic and political domination of a strong nation over other weaker nations Protectorate- the ruling power allowed local rulers to stay in control, and the nation in power protected them from invasion. But the local ruler had to accept advice on how to govern their country. US took their vision of imperialism from Europe

New Markets and Superiority We needed to develop new markets overseas to keep our economy strong Looking for new places to sell products New consumers New areas to trade Wanted new natural resources Social Darwinism- nations competed with each other economically, politically, and militarily and only the strongest would survive English speaking nations had superior character, ideas, and systems of government, and were destined to dominate Anglo Saxonism- apart of the idea of “manifest destiny”- it was their nations destiny to expand overseas Spread civilization to other people Christian missionary ideas- “his brothers keeper”

Trade with Japan Americans had begun expanding cross the Pacific to East Asia US would benefit with trade with Japan and China Japanese believed that trade with the West would destroy their culture President Fillmore sent Commodore Perry on a naval expedition to negotiate a trade treaty Japanese realized they could not compete with the US’s modern weapons or technology They signed a treaty opening a couple ports to American trade in 1854 This event would later spur Japanese industrialization and modernization

Annexing Hawaii As trade grew with Japan and China, US ships would frequently stop in Hawaii Both missionaries and whaling ships used Hawaii as a base The climate and soil were suitable for growing sugarcane 1875 senate ratified a trade treaty that excluded Hawaii from sugar tariffs The senate insisted that Hawaii grant the US exclusive rights to a naval base at Pearl Harbor The treaty led to a boom in Hawaii’s economy and made the planters very rich This angered many Hawaiians and they feared they would lose power over their country, their king had had been pressured to accept a new constitution

Annexing Hawaii 1891 Queen Liliuokalani ascended the Hawaiian throne She disliked American influence and attempted to reinstate her power The planters with the help of US marines overthrew the queen and est. a provisional government The planters requested the annexation of Hawaii, President Cleveland refused So they waited till the next president came into power, 1898 McKinley finally annexed Hawaii

Increase trade in Latin America US bought most of their raw materials from Latin America Latin America bought most of their goods from Europe US business and the govt. wanted to increase the sale of American products to the region Pan Americanism- idea that the US and Latin America should work together 1889 Pan American conference – Create customs union (reduce tariffs) – Create a common system for settling disputes (keep Europe out of Amer. affairs)

Increase trade in Latin America At the conference Latin American leaders rejected both ideas Commercial Bureau of the American Republics- and org. that promoted the cooperation among the nations of the western hemisphere

Building a Modern Navy US builds a large navy to protect its international interests More Americans were willing to risk war in defense of American interests overseas Also need to acquire bases overseas as to not get shut out of foreign markets Alfred T. Mahan- The Influence of Sea Power Upon History , pointed out that many prosperous people in history had built large merchant fleets in order to trade Needed a large navy to protect merchant ships This would allow the US to acquire territory for naval bases overseas Bases and coal His book helped build public support Congress pushed for the construction of a new navy By the late 1890’s the US was becoming one of the top naval powers The US would become an imperial power when we went to war with Spain Went to war with Germany over Samoa Islands, and with Chile.