1. The Rise of American Imperialism
Unit 3, Lesson 1

2. 1) Why do you think the United States has bases in these various parts of the world? 2)What is your opinion on the US global presence according to this map?

3. Imperialism
Policy by which strong nations extend their political, military, and economic control over weaker territories
“Manifest Destiny” had motivated Americans to gain western territory, grow economically, and spread American culture
After the frontier closed, the United States increased territory and influence overseas

4. Causes of American Imperialism
1. Competition
“Survival of the fittest”
U.S. competed with imperialist countries to be powerful and wealthy
Social Darwinists
Only the fittest societies would survive
Used to justify taking control of “unfit” societies

5. Causes of American Imperialism
2. Military expansion
Alfred T. Mahan—Admiral; wanted to the world’s largest and modern Naval fleet
Need worldwide bases to help a country’s power and security
European countries and Japan were also influenced by the book and expanded their militaries

6. Causes of American Imperialism
Having “civilized and Christianized” Native Americans, some Americans wanted to extend the “white man’s burden” to overseas cultures
3. Cultural Superiority
Many felt white English culture, government, and religion were superior
Some considered it the “white man’s burden” to civilize and Christianize other nations

7. Causes of American Imperialism
3. Markets overseas
Businesses wanted to increase trade overseas and invest in new industries in other countries
The American economy was impacted by world events and other countries’ stability
Desire for raw materials and natural resources
US wanted to expand into new areas so that we could sell our goods to those new areas

8. Anti-Imperialism
Many Americans opposed imperialism, claiming it overextended American resources
Felt it violated American principles of freedom and self-government
Anti-Imperialist League—this group formed to oppose imperialism

9. The united states’ first steps in global expansion

10. First Steps Toward World Power
US opens trade with Japan and the Pacific Ocean in 1853
Japan agreed so that they could modernize
Many natural resources and raw materials could now be accessed

12. Alaska
Sec of State William Seward helped purchase Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million (2 cents/acre)
“Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox”
Proved to be rich in natural resources

13. Latin America
1889-First International Pan-American Highway System was established as the US worked closely with Latin America
Weakened Europe’s influence in the region and strengthened the US influence

14. US Acquire Hawaii Hawaii was used for:
Stopping point on the way to Asia
Sugar cane was grown here by Americans
Allowed American missionaries to inhabit the island

15. Hawaii
1887-U.S. military & economic leaders pressured Hawaii to allow U.S. to build a naval Pearl Harbor

16. Queen “Liliuokalani” wanted to eliminate American influence in Hawaii
U.S. sugar planters and U.S. government officials work together to overthrow the queen in 1893
By 1898, President McKinley would officially proclaim Hawaii as a US territory