1. America Claims an Empire
Chapter 20 – section 1
America Claims an Empire

2. Trade in Japan?
This was a dream of American merchants for hundreds of years
Japan was not interested, they would not allow it or anyone from their country to leave!
Wanted to be left alone.

3. Trade with Japan? In 1853 that all changes
The Japanese see Perry’s fleet as both intriguing and intimidating
As a result of those two reasons, in 1854 Commodore Perry returns and the Japanese are ready to sign a trade agreement
Click here to see a brief video on this topic

4. What would you do? How would you have responded if you were Japan?
Why?
What are other choices that could have been made?

5. The Story with Alaska $7,200,000 for a frozen wasteland?
2 ¢ an acre in 1867
Seward sees it as a stepping stone for trade with Asia and the Pacific
Critics call Seward and idiot!
Gold found in !
Later oil found!
Turns out to be a brilliant decision
Click here to a brief video on this topic

6. Imperialism and America
Roots of American Imperialism
Economic roots
Industrial overproduction in the US led to the view that country’s factories needed raw material from abroad and that surplus US products needed to be sold in new markets

7. Imperialism and America
Roots of American Imperialism
Political and military roots
The global military expansion of European powers led to a US desire to do the same

8. Imperialism and America
Admiral Mahan’s urge
Develop a modern fleet to protect US shipping; establish naval bases in the Caribbean; construct a canal across the Isthmus of Panama; acquire Hawaii and other Pacific Islands

9. Imperialism and America
Anti-imperialist cartoon
Roots of American Imperialism
Racist roots
Belief in the racial and cultural superiority of Anglo-Saxons led many to claim the US had a responsibility to expand and spread Christianity and civilization or our ways aka “Manifest Destiny”

10. The US Takes Hawaii

11. Imperialism and America
US Imperialism in Hawaii
1875: A treaty allows Hawaiian sugar to be sold in the US duty-free
1887: American business leaders force the kind to change Hawaii’s constitution so that only wealthy landowners have voting rights; the US forces Hawaii to allow an American naval base at Pearl Harbor
1890: The McKinley Tariff eliminates the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar
1891: Liliuokalani becomes Queen of Hawaii
1893: Queen L. overthrown and a provisional government established by American businessmen with the help of the US ambassador1894:
The Republic of Hawaii formally recognized by the US
1897: McKinley, who favors annexation, becomes US president
1898: Congress proclaims Hawaii an American territory
Click here to see a brief video on this topic

12. Acquiring New Lands China 1900 Relationship to US: “trading partner”
Control Affairs: to establish and protect new markets in China
Laws and policies: Open Door Policy; imperialist policies
Violent events: Boxer Rebellion
Open Door Video

13. Acquiring New Lands Beliefs for Open Door Policy
To open the door or not open the door, that is the question
Beliefs for Open Door Policy
US economy relied on exports to ensure growth
US had the right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open to it
US survival was threatened by the closing of an area to American products, citizens, or ideas