1. A Pacific Empire
Chapter 23, Section 1

2. Isolation and Expansion
George Washington suggested Isolationism
Why?
Yet, from its earliest existence, the American republic had also followed a policy of expansionism, or extending its national boundaries
Sea to Shining Sea
Foreign Trade- goods to Europe/Asia
Japan refused
They did not agree with Western customs
Foreign sailors who were shipwrecked were not allowed to leave
President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry
Perry presented a letter from the President
Circle yes or no- you have one year to think about it
Perry returned with seven warships (1854)
Impressed by the US strength the Japanese Emperor signed the Treaty of Kanagawa.
Help shipwrecked sailors
Two ports

3. Seward Looks to the Pacific
Secretary of State- William Seward
Wanted to dominate the Pacific
Congress Annex Midway
Alaska from Russia
Too far to govern
US could use it to trade with Asia
Increased the size of our country by one fifth
Seward’s Ice Box or Seward’s Folly
Prospectors found gold in 1890
Lowland were good for farming
Rich in timber, copper, petroleum, and natural gas

4. Imperialism Age of Imperialism (1870-1914)
Imperialism is the policy of powerful countries seeking to control the economic and political affairs of weaker countries or regions
China large county one imperial palace
Britain, Germany, France- Africa/Southern Asia
US and Japan
Why? 3 reasons
Industrial countries needed raw materials
Racism- Europeans felt they had a duty to spread their religion and culture to people whom they considered to be less civilized.
Savages
Rich cultures of their own
Competition
Colonize a area and shut out the competitions
Sound like they needed a Sherman Anti-Trust Act…

5. Imperialism Cont. US became a world leader in 1890
England was grabbing all the colonies
US still believed in Isolation
More than we can consume
Society is congested with workers and no work,
NEED NEW MARKETS
West was settled we need a new frontier to build up
Investments
We needed a navy to protect our foreign trade boats
Alfred Mahn- naval captain
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
Caribbean and Pacific- Latin America/Asia
The Great White Fleet
Hulls- white

6. Rivalry Over Samoa Chain of Islands in the South Pacific Pg. 664
Great Britain, US, and Germany wanted these islands
1889 Germans fired upon a US friendly village
Large storm came-eased the crisis
US and Germany divided Samoa-Britain received other islands in the Pacific

7. Taking Over Hawaii
On the way to China many countries would take port at these islands
1820- American Missionaries
mid 1800’s large sugar plantations
Cheap labor- Philippines, China, Korea, and Japan
1887 American Planters forced King Kaakaua to accept a new constitution
Reduce Hawaiian power, increase planters- died in 1891
Liliuokalani –rejected the new constitution
The planters rebelled
Liliuokalani gave in- Didn’t want any blood on her hands
Grover Cleveland
Two years later became a territory

8. Protecting Trade with China
China had been weakened by Civil War and refused to industrialize in the 1800’s
Sphere of Influence-area around a seaport, where a nation had special trading privileges
President Hay wrote a letter telling how important it was for the industrial companies to continue trading with each other- Open Door Policy
Inside China rebellion formed- The Boxer Rebellion
Killed more than 200 foreigners- Guerillas
Foreign gov’t brought in military to save those who had been captured
Excuse to seize more land
President Hay sent another letter- Respect China’s Independence
Defend their interest
Take a larger role in world affairs