1. Imperialism and the United States
Alaska & Hawaii

2. Reasons for U.S. Expansion
Imperialism: policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations
Manifest Destiny
Increase the nation’s financial prosperity
Strengthen the military force
Spread democracy
Spread western culture

3. America Acquires Alaska
Secretary of State William Seward arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia
Showed U.S. Imperialism
Also made it clear to the rest of the world that the U.S. was becoming a world power.
Congress officially annexed Alaska in 1884

4. America Acquires Alaska
U.S. paid $7.2 million for the land
Seward was criticized for the purchase
Newspapers called it “Seward’s Icebox” others called it “Seward’s Folley”
Turned out to be a bargain:
Land turned out to be rich in timber, minerals, and oil

5. Original check used to purchase Alaska

6. Annexation of Hawaii
American missionaries moved to Hawaii to convert the local population to Christianity
In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani tried to limit the influence of the American sugar planter
Planters revolted
With help of Marines, they overthrew the queen, then asked to be annexed by the US

7. Annexation of Hawaii
In the true spirit of Imperialism, the U.S. was anxious to expand the size of their nation. This expansion, would help set the stage for the U.S. to take control of the Pacific.
Supporters of expansionism argued that it would increase the nation’s financial prosperity, strengthen the nation’s military, and spread democratic ideas.
In the early 1800’s, American missionaries had moved to Hawaii to convert the local population to Christianity.
Some missionaries descendants had started sugar plantations
By late 1800’s most sugar plantations owned by wealthy Americans
In 1891 Queen Liliuokalani tried to limit the power of the American sugar planters
By 1893, American sugar planters, with the help of the U.S.
Marines, had overthrown the Queen and her government.

8. Annexation of Hawaii
Annexing Hawaii would prove to be more difficult than Alaska. After the successful revolt in Hawaii, American planters asked that the U.S. annex Hawaii.
Americans understood the importance of the Hawaiian Islands and how the islands could benefit the U.S.
In 1887, U.S. leaders pressured Hawaii to allow a U.S. base at Pearl Harbor. Why did the U.S. want this?
A base at Pearl Harbor would provide the U.S. with a refueling station for merchant and military ships bound for Asia.

9. Annexation of Hawaii
Americans already understood the importance of the Hawaiian Islands, and how the islands could benefit the U.S.
In 1887, US leaders pressured Hawaii to allow a US base at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor became an important refueling station for ships headed to Asia
Hawaii was officially annexed in 1898

10. Annexation of Hawaii
Hawaii was officially annexed into the U.S. in 1898 at a ceremony held in Honolulu.