1. American Influence Grows
Topic 4-5
American Influence Grows

2. Objectives:
Identify the key factors that caused Americans to want to take a greater role overseas.
Explain how the U.S. took its first steps toward the position of a world power.
Evaluate the acquisition of Hawaii by the United States.

3. Imperialism:
policy by which strong nations extend their political, military, and economic control over weaker territories

4. Causes of Imperialism Economic benefit
Raw materials and natural resources (European countries and Japanese reason)
Extractive economies
Trade- America had a surplus of industrial/agricultural goods to sell
Wanted guaranteed markets
Military strength
Alfred T. Mahan- The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
Naval power- steel plated, steam ships
National Superiority
Social Darwinism, “Manifest Destiny”
Fredrick Jackson Turner Census Frontier has closed
Overseas expansion provided a “safety valve”

5. America on the World Stage
Analyze Maps What can you conclude from the map about the differences between the goals of European imperialism and U.S. expansionism?

6. U.S. 1st Steps to Becoming World Power
Pacific
Commodore Matthew Perry, treaty opened trade with Japan (1853)
Possession of the Midway Islands (1867)
Increased trade with Hawaii and naval base at Pearl Harbor (1887)
Alaska
1867 Sec. of State bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million
Latin America
Pan-American Conference (trade)

8. Hawaii
Economically linked since 1790’s stopping place for merchant ships
Missionaries established schools and churches to Christianize Hawaiians
Wealthy American sugar and fruit planters established plantations
Americans amended Hawaiian constitution, only wealthy land owners could vote (white!)

9. The Acquisition of Hawaii
In Hawaii, American owners of sugar plantations, such as this one, exerted broad and increasing influence over local affairs.

10. American Planters Increase Power
New US law in 1890’s placed high tariff on sugar
Queen Liliuokalani- Hawaiian nationalist
Abolished the constitution that gave power to the white minority
1893-planters aided by U.S. marines overthrew the queen
New govt set up by Sanford B. Dole (wealthy planter)
Wanted US to annex Hawaii

11. U.S. Annexes Hawaii
Pres. Harrison signed treaty, but was out of office before Senate approved
Pres. Cleveland (anti-Imperialist) ordered investigation
Majority of Hawaiian people didn’t approve annexation delayed annexation
Americans wanted Hawaii, 1898-Pres. McKinley annexed Hawaii