1. Ch. 5-1 The Roots of Imperialism Pgs. 138-143
U.S. History
Ch. 5-1
The Roots of Imperialism
Pgs

2. Why It Matters U.S. abandons isolationism Becomes a world power
Acquires and influences territories outside the United States

3. The Causes of Imperialism
Imperialism- policy by which strong nations extend their political, military, and economic control over weaker territories.
Following the Europeans
Europeans acquired new colonies in Africa and Asia
Japan and U.S. started to follow
Mid 1800s to early 1900s

4. Imperialists Seek Economic Benefits
Raw Materials and Natural Resources
tea, rubber, iron, petroleum
Extractive Economies- Imperial country extracted or removed raw materials and sent them to the home country.
U.S. was not concerned with resources
U.S. was looking for a new market
Buyers/Consumers

5. Imperialists Stress Military Strength
In The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, Alfred T. Mahan a naval officer stated:
A modern navy would help lead the U.S. to greatness
Foreign bases were also needed for supplying the ships
U.S. Built
New steel-plated, steam powered battleships

6. USS Maine

7. Imperialists Believe in National Superiority
Imperialist believed in Social Darwinism
The fittest survive
Certain nations and races were seen as superior to others
Seen as “Manifest Destiny” in the U.S. to expand to the Pacific, God given right to civilize weaker races
Overseas expansion could help keep ambitious Americans out of each other’s way

8. U.S. Power Grows in the Pacific
1853 Matthew Perry sailed a fleet of U.S. ships to Japan
Japan then opened their ports to U.S. ships
They were behind militarily
Trade began with Japan
1867 the U.S. takes possession of the Midway Islands
1875 and 1887 treaties with Hawaii
Increased U.S. trade
Right to build a naval base, Pearl Harbor

9. Seward Purchases Alaska
1867, Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
Often called “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox”
Believed at the time to be worthless
Rich in timber, oil and other natural resources

10. William Seward

11. U.S. Influence in Latin America Grows
First International Pan-American Conference in 1889
Sponsored by Secretary of State James Blaine
17 Latin American Countries
Paved way for Pan-American Highway system

13. The U.S. Acquires Hawaii
U.S. was influential in Hawaii since the 1790s
Ships stop on their way to East Asia
Missionaries had established Christian churches and schools
Sugar cane plantations were created
In 1887, American planters convinced King Kalakaua to amend the Hawaiian constitution
Limit voting rights to only wealthy landowners (white planters)

15. American Planters Increase Their Power
1890s American Planters in Hawaii faced two problems
Rising cost of their sugar cane because of U.S. tariff laws
1891 King Kalakaua died
His sister a Hawaiian nationalist took over
Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown by John Stevens a U.S. minister to Hawaii and a new government was ran by wealthy planter Sanford B. Dole
Dole asked President Benjamin Harrison to annex Hawaii into the U.S.

17. The United States Annexes Hawaii
President Harrison could not get enough of the Senate to approve
President Grover Cleveland had an investigation done
Apologized to Hawaii and did not annex
In 1897 President William McKinley entered the White House
1898 After the Spanish-American war started, Hawaii was recognized by Congress as an official U.S. Territory

18. Questions Why create a strong navy?
Would you consider Seward’s purchase a good one? Why or why not?
Why would the Japanese refer to the steel steamships as dragons puffing smoke?
If you lived in Hawaii after 1790s and the arrival of Americans, would you want them there? Why or why not?