1. American Imperialism America gets bigger! 1890 - 1917
But… Just look at that majestic eagle!

2. Why all this imperialism?
Americans need international markets for their goods
Panic of 1893: Economy struggling
Foreign lands could provide raw materials
Stronger nation results from stronger navy
Our duty to bring civility & Christianity to “savages”

3. Social Darwinism Charles Darwin Naturalist Origin of Species (1859)
“Survival of the fittest”
The strongest of nations should survive
Responsible for ruling weaker nations

4. Early Imperialism First introduced by President Polk in 1840s
1846: End of Mexican- American War
U.S. gains CA, NM, AZ, NV, UT, WY, and CO

5. Gaining Hawaii Queen Liliuokalani ~1891
Sanford Dole – Owner of Dole plantation; encourages US to remove Queen
Queen is encouraging discord between Hawaii and American businessmen
1893 – Queen replaced by provisional US government
Lili you kay lawni

6. Gaining Alaska!
Purchased in 1867 by William Seward for 7.2 million from Russia (2 cents per acre)
Though to be a huge mistake but…
Rich in timber, gold, oil, minerals