1. March 10, 2014 Aim: What motivated U. S
March 10, 2014 Aim: What motivated U.S. imperialism in the second half of the twentieth century?
Do Now: What do you see/think/wonder?

2. American Foreign Policy – 1898-1920
Many Americans believed that the U.S. should play a greater role on the world stage. Why?
By 1920, the U.S. was one of the leading industrial nations:
Power
Money

3. Motives for U.S. Imperialism
“White Man’s Burden”/Social Darwinism
Economic: Markets & Raw Materials
Civilizing Mission: Spread Christianity
Alfred T. Mahan: Need for Naval Bases
Spread Democracy (Manifest Destiny)

4. Anti-Imperialist, Mark Twain
U.S. Isolationism
Precedent set by George Washington
Imperialism would force U.S. to maintain large, expensive military
Contrary to American principles of freedom, self-determination, democracy
Racism: U.S. couldn’t assimilate large populations of foreign races
Anti-Imperialist, Mark Twain

5. Task Read documents 1-3 on the handout.
Identify at least four factors for U.S. imperialism in the spaces provided.
On the back of the handout, summarize the U.S. motivations for imperialism IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
When you are done, discuss your answers with a partner.

6. What motivated imperialism in the second half of the twentieth century?
A number of factors, such as new technology, the need for markets and raw materials, manifest destiny, social darwinism, and the missionary spirit led the U.S. into greater global involvement.