1. Imperialism At The turn of the 20th century
America Comes of Age
Imperialism At The turn of the 20th century

2. Imperialism
A natural extension of Manifest Destiny- the desire to extend American control to foreign lands through actual occupation or economic influence
New markets/resources
Military power projection
Social Darwinism

3. New Markets/Resources
The American frontier closes, forcing Americans to look outside the borders for untapped resources

4. Territorial Expansion
Hawaii becomes a U. S. Protectorate in by virtue of economic treaties. 1898, Hawaii Annexed.
Alaska purchased in 1867 from the Russians. Known as “Seward’s Icebox” or “Seweard’s Folly”.

5. China
Dynastic Cycle

6. End of 19th century, China is at the low point of the dynastic cycle
End of 19th century, China is at the low point of the dynastic cycle. They have a weak central government, rebellion is breaking out. Western powers seize on the instability, move into China to create “Spheres of Influence” where they force the Chinese into exclusive trade agreements.

7. The US decides it wants to become involved in China too, issues the “Open Door Notes” to other Western Powers
Open Door I- Asked other Western powers to share influence in China with the US (pre Boxer Rebellion)
Open Door II- Claimed that the US would be the guarantor of free access to Chinese trade (post Boxer Rebellion)

8. The Boxer Rebellion
A group called the “Harmonious Fists” or Boxers rises up in China, tries to force out the foreign powers.
The US comes to the aid of the Western powers and Chinese government, helps put down the Rebellion
US involvement gives the US power in the region

9. Japan
Commodore Matthew Perry Opens Up Japan: 1853, Treaty of Kanagawa 1854

10. Military Power Projection
The US was becoming a military power, and it wanted everyone to respect that power. Many in America were eager to test that power.

11. Spanish American War
Netted the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam for the US
Showed the rest of the world that the US was a serious military power

12. “A splendid little war”
Us becomes interested in the “Cuba Libre” movement, intervenes to free the Cubans, establish US power in Cuba
Yellow Journalism fans the flames of disgust towards Spain- Americans looking for a reason to fight
US sends one of its modern new battleships to Havana Harbor- the USS Maine, in Feb The ship mysteriously blows up, journalists quick to point fingers at so-called Spanish saboteurs
America wins after about a month of fighting.

13. Latin America
America intervenes in Latin America to protect its interests

14. Social Darwinism
“Social Darwinism” extends survival of the fittest to racial/ethnic groups
Americans believe white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants are naturally superior and tasked with the “white man’s burden” of “caring” for “inferior” groups

15. Racist Stereotypes

16. The World’s Policeman

17. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1905)
Chronic wrongdoing… may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of an international police power .

18. Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
Improve financial opportunities for American businesses.
Use private capital to further U. S. interests overseas.
Therefore, the U.S. should create stability and order abroad that would best promote America’s commercial interests.

19. Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy
The U. S. should be the conscience of the world.
Spread democracy.
Promote peace.
Condemn colonialism.

20. Anti Imperialist Responses
Anti Imperialist League Founded in 1899.
Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, William James, and William Jennings Bryan among the leaders.
Campaigned against the annexation of the Philippines and other acts of imperialism.