1. The United States-World Power

2. U.S.-World Power
Why was the US not heavily involved in world affairs for most of it’s early history?
We were still developing as a nation
No need to get involved because we were isolated
We had most of the raw materials we needed
Mistrust of the “Old World”

3. U.S.-World Power Overseas Expansion
Beginning in the mid 1800s the US began to expand it’s
influence around the world
This expansion grew in the late 1800s.
Why did the US start getting more involved and expanding
it’s influence?
Were we building an empire?

4. U.S.-World Power

5. U.S.-World Power Imperialism What is Imperialism?
Imperialism – strong nations dominating weaker nations with their economic, political and military power.
Why would a country do this?

6. Why Imperialism Happened
U.S.-World Power
Why Imperialism Happened
Economic Military Nationalist Religious/Moral
Factors Factors Factors Factors
Get wealthier Military bases We deserve an empire Help spread our culture
and religion
Get Resources Security Other nations have empires

7. U.S.-World Power Overseas Expansion
Where did the US expand its influence?
Pacific Ocean
Latin America
Why did we focus on these areas?
They were close to us
They had resources we wanted
They were not taken over by other world powers

8. U.S.-World Power
US Territories

9. U.S.-World Power Overseas Expansion
So when did we gain these other lands?
Alaska – 1867: Purchased from Russia
Hawaii – 1898: Taken over
American Samoa – 1899: Taken over

10. U.S.-World Power Opposition to Imperialism
Why would some Americans be opposed to imperialism?
Some opposed getting into other people’s problems
Many felt it was not the right thing to do
Not fair to take over other people’s lands

11. WAR!!! U.S.-World Power Spanish-American War – 1898 Why was it fought?
Seen as the event that made America a World power
Why was it fought?
Spain controlled Cuba and other colonies (Puerto Rico)
Why would this bother Americans?
We didn’t like a European power in our back yard.
American businesses had operations in Cuba
American’s wanted more control of Cuba
Cubans were fighting for independence
Americans sympathized with Cubans
The media was very anti-Spain

12. U.S.-World Power
USS Maine

13. U.S.-World Power The Spanish-American War
US defeated Spain in a few months
US gained territories in Latin America and Pacific
Puerto Rico
Guam
Philippines
Cuba gained independence
Theodore Roosevelt became a national hero
Within 3 years he went from War Hero to Governor of New York to Vice-President to President

14. U.S.-World Power

15. U.S.-World Power Panama Canal What is a canal?
What is the Panama Canal? Why is it important?
History
The French tried to build a canal but failed.
During the Spanish-American War the US had problems that a canal would solve.
What were the problems?

16. U.S.-World Power

17. U.S.-World Power Panama Canal
The US forced Panama to give us the land for the canal and kept the canal until 1999.
The building of the canal was an engineering miracle.
US built the canal over a 10 year period
Helped the world and American economy
Helped the US military

18. U.S.-World Power

19. U.S.-World Power By the early 1900s, the US was a world power.
Strong military
Very Strong Economy
Technological Advances
The US was a world power but would it act like one?