1. Imperialism
Roots & TR

2. Emerging Global Nation
America was ready to show the rest of the world that we ready to be a global player—a big dog.
New land and resources
Our traditional foreign policy of neutrality and isolationism was now evolving into a more aggressive role.
How do you show other nations that you are powerful?
Imperialism: stronger nations (The US) extend economic and political control over weaker territories.

3. Military Strength The US wanted to build up its military power
Control potential colonies
Compete with other nations
Admiral Alfred T. Mahan urged the US to increase its naval strength
The Navy built 9 steel warships
The Oregon and the Maine were the most powerful and famous
The Great White Fleet

4. New Markets
Advances in industry and technology called for more and more raw materials.
How can we get more raw materials?
Acquiring new lands to produce goods.
Extending land to make trade easier.

5. Cultural Superiority Social Darwinism extends to American Imperialism
The “fittest” societies will succeed.
From the American perspective this means the US/Western Europe
Many in America saw it as our duty to spread “modern” values to “uncivilized” people
Christianity
Anglo-Saxon (White) culture

6. The Imperial President
Theodore Roosevelt
The Imperial President

7. Biography Born in New York, October 27, 1858
The Roosevelt family was extremely wealthy
Young Theodore was a sickly child
In an effort to overcome this weakness, Roosevelt lead a life of extreme activity
Boxing
Hunting
Roosevelt fights in the Spanish American while working in the Navy department
Battle of San Juan Hill
Rough Riders

8. Biography
Roosevelt runs and is elected to be Governor of New York
When McKinley runs for re-election in 1900 he chooses 42 year old Roosevelt to be his running mate
McKinley is assassinated in 1901; Roosevelt is inaugurated as the youngest President to serve.

9. Roosevelt Foreign Policy
Roosevelt believed that the US should and must become a major world power.
Looks to Latin America
To facilitate military dominance the United States constructs the Panama Canal
Allows the US to move quickly between oceans

10. The Roosevelt Corollary
Remember The Monroe Doctrine?
Roosevelt extended this doctrine with what we call the “Roosevelt Corollary”
The US would exercise “police” power in the Western Hemisphere
We would intervene in disputes between Europe and Latin America when it suited us
In keeping with Roosevelt’s policy of “speak softly and carry a big stick”
What does this mean?

11. Post Presidency
Roosevelt leaves office in 1909 choosing not to run for a third term (Washington precedent)
In 1912 he decides he wants to run for the Presidency again
He was disappointed in his hand picked successor, William Howard Taft
Roosevelt is unable to secure the Republican Party nomination so he forms his own party
The Bull Moose Party
Roosevelt splits the Republicans and he and Taft lose the election.