1. Period 7: American Imperialism
Student Structured Notes

2. A. The USA undertook an expansionist foreign policy to locate new markets.
surplus products
Compete with European nations for colonies
Spread blessings of American civilation (L.A/Asia)

3. American Expansion 19th centuryB.
American Expansion 19th century
Manifest Destiny 1840s
Expansion
within the
continental
USA
Expansion
to overseas
territories
Expansion of territory
control of resources
cultural influence
dominance of others

4. 1. Dramatic Change
Americans followed Geo. Washington’s advice of neutrality (1796)
Monroe Doctrine (1823) - further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention.

5. 2. The Quest for New Products
Americans had a burst of
productivity during the 2nd
Industrial Revolution
Factories & farms ( 4 x)
Needed new sources of raw materials
Needed new markets of consumers

6. 3. Alfred Mahan & New Strategic Thinking
Captain Alfred Mahan published a book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)
Argued that sea power was the key to commercial prosperity and national greatness
Encouraged U.S. govt to build navy
Vice President Theodore Roosevelt & others agreed

7. 4. The Ideology of Expansion
Social Darwinists used theory to explain rise and fall of nations
example – strong European nations (England, France, Germany) began to dominate areas of Africa and Asia
Supporters of expansion encouraged Americans to take more aggressive role in international affairs
Americans already thought their pol. & econ. Systems were superior to all others

10. D. The Spanish-American War

11. Background: Spain vs. America Who?
Where?
Phillipines, Cuba (Spain’s Colonies)

12. 1867
USA

13. Why?
Help give freedom to Spain’s colonies!