1. Reasons for American Imperialism

2. The Roots of American Imperialism
Imperialism  stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military power over weaker nations
Economic Roots
Political & Military Roots
Racist Roots
Industrial overproduction in the U.S. led to the need for raw materials from overseas and new markets abroad
*** Mercantilism**
No more Frontier- America expanded all it could in the US
Global military expansion of European powers led to a U.S. desire to do the same
Belief in superiority of Anglo-Saxons; U.S. had a responsibility to expand and spread Christianity and civilization( Manifest Destiny)

3. Social Darwinism
Political, economic, and military competition between nations leads to the failure of the weak and the “survival of the fittest”
Small, “inferior” states will be overpowered by “superior” states

4. Anglo-Saxonism
Belief that English speaking nations were destined to rule due to superior character, ideas, and systems of government
Popular in Britain and the US
Fit well with American idea of “Manifest Destiny”

5. John Fiske 1842 – 1901 Writer / Historian
Argued that physical evolution of man had ended due to social developments
As a result, the society which is superior will be the dominant force in social evolution

6. Josiah Strong 1847 – 1916 Protestant minister
Americans should support imperialism because it spreads Christianity
The Anglo-Saxon race have a responsibility to “civilize and Christianize” the rest of the world
Identified 7 “perils” for American society: Catholicism, Mormonism, Socialism, intemperance, wealth, urbanization, & immigration

7. Capt. Alfred T. Mahan
1840 – 1914
1890: Wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
Argued that powerful nations have powerful navies
Powerful navies require naval bases worldwide
His ideas won widespread political support in both Congress and the White House

8. The Great White Fleet
Fleet of 16 US battleships sent out on a world tour to demonstrate American naval might between 1907 and 1909 on orders of President Theodore Roosevelt
Greatly enhanced American prestige

9. US Expansion

10. Purchase of Alaska “Seward’s Folly”
Purchased from Russia by Sec. of State William Seward for $7.2 million in 1867
US wanted Russian competition out of North America
Turned out, Alaska was loaded with gold & oil!

11. Timeline-U.S. Imperialism in Hawaii
1875
Treaty allows Hawaiian sugar to be sold in the U.S., duty (tax) free
1887
U.S. business leaders force a constitutional change allowing only wealthy landowners to vote; force Hawaii to allow naval base at Pearl Harbor
1890
McKinley Tariff eliminates the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar
1891
Liliuokalani becomes Queen of Hawaii
1897
William McKinley – who favors annexation – becomes president
1898
Congress proclaims Hawaii an American territory
Sanford B. Dole
Business groups organized a revolution, overthrew Liliuokalani, and put Dole in charge of the new government
Queen Liliuokalani “Hawaii for Hawaiians!”

12. Americans in Hawaii
First Americans arrived in 1819 (Christian missionaries)
Thousands of Americans soon flooded the islands to create sugar plantations, coming to dominate the islands’ economy and present a threat to the native monarchy
Americans forced the “Bayonet Constitution” on Hawaiian king in 1887 which gave whites the vote & limited the monarch’s power

13. Queen Liliuokalani 1838 – 1917 Queen 1891 – 1893
Lydia Kamaka’eha Kaola Mali’i Lili’uokalani
Attempted to throw out the Bayonet Constitution and extend suffrage to native Hawaiians and Asians
This angered Americans in Hawaii, and they began to plot an overthrow of the queen

14. Economic Pressure
American sugar planters in Hawaii were also upset that the McKinley Tariff had placed a high tariff on Hawaiian sugar; if they could convince US to annex Hawaii, they would be part of the US and not subject to the tariff

15. Overthrow of the Queen
1893: Americans staged a coup, then reported to the American consulate that American lives and property were in danger due to the coup!
US consulate called Marines ashore from the US naval base at Pearl Harbor
Hawaiians interpreted this as US support for the coup and surrendered

16. Annexation of Hawaii
American sugar planters established a temporary government, believing that the US would annex Hawaii immediately
Pres. Cleveland was furious with the way the sugar planters had manipulated the coup to look like it was US backed and blocked attempts to annex Hawaii
The independent Republic of Hawaii existed from
US finally annexed Hawaii in 1898 under Pres. McKinley

17. For Imperialism Against Imperialism
1. Imperialism was the product of strains in US society due to industrialization
Increase in productivity=need for new markets to expand into US needs more natural resources
2. The US needed to continue its frontier experience overseas
Continental frontier was not longer adequate for the population.
US needed “elbow room”
3. US belief in cultural superiority
Race, values, religion, and economics
Goal was to civilize the world
Helping “lesser peoples”
4. Social Darwinism was a prominent belief
People believed that “survival of the fittest” applied to people AND nations
1. Goes against beliefs of Christianity to force people to “follow suit” (most Americans were Christians at this time)
Imperialism is undemocratic
2. US does not have the military capabilities to protect an overseas empire
3. Stay out of European affairs
Use the two oceans to protect us
Stay isolated
4. Imperialism= tyranny
US was a colony of Great Britain once
5. There is no need to expand overseas
US is a vast nation
Plenty of natural resources
Plenty of markets for goods

18. Acquiring New Lands Activity
Instructions
In your assigned groups, you will:
Read about two lands US acquired and fill in your chart.
Discuss and explain why the US acquired and what were the benefits and drawbacks from inhabitants.
Lastly, write a short essay answering the question: “To what extent was US imperialism justified?”. Support your answer with documents (Academic-2) ( Honors-4)

19. Acquiring New Lands Puerto Rico 1898-1916 Cuba 1898-1903
The Philippines
China
1900
What was its relationship to the U.S.?
Very similar to a colony or protectorate (a country whose affairs are partially governed by a stronger power)
Protectorate; very similar to a colony
Very similar to a colony or protectorate
“Trading partner”
Why did the U.S. try to control its affairs?
Its location was of strategic importance to the U.S.
To protect U.S. business (sugar)
To provide the U.S. with raw materials and new markets
To establish and protect new markets in China
What laws and policies affected its relationship with the U.S.?
Foraker Act  gave president the right to appoint P.R. governor
Platt Amendment  U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba
Similar policy U.S. pursued in Puerto Rico
Open Door policy  no nation should have a monopoly on trade with China
What violent events affected it relationship with the U.S.?
Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War; Philippine-American War
Boxer Rebellion  Chinese rebels who tried to overthrow foreign powers

20. Acquiring New Lands Guam Panama Canal Hawaii
What was its relationship to the U.S.?
Very similar to a colony or protectorate (a country whose affairs are partially governed by a stronger power)
Very similar to a colony or protectorate (a country whose affairs are partially governed by a stronger power). From
Trading partner who later was annexed to the US.
Why did the U.S. try to control its affairs?
Its location was of strategic importance to the U.S. ( Military)
Wanted a canal across Central America to avoid shipping goods and naval vessels around the tip of South America
Its location strategic importance to US Military (Pearl Harbor)
US had business interest (sugar)
What laws and policies affected its relationship with the U.S.?
Platt Amendment  U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba
McKinley Tariff
What violent events affected it relationship with the U.S.?
Spanish-American War--- Treaty of Paris
US made offer to Colombia to buy but was denied. Then US supports a revolt by a pro-US group willing to allow the canal to be built by Americans
Overthrow of the queen. This caused Pres. Cleveland to deny annexation
Until Pres. McKinley, annex it in 1898

21. John Hay’s Open Door Notes
John Hay’s “Open Door Notes” paved the way for greater U.S. influence in Asia. What were three beliefs held by Americans that were reflected by the Open Door Policy?
1. The U.S. economy relied on exports to ensure growth.
2. The U.S. had the right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open to it.
3. U.S. survival was threatened by the closing of an area to American products, citizens, or ideas.