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Unit 3. American Imperialism EQ: How did the US come to be a global power? Major topics Motives for imperialism Acquisition of Alaska and Hawaii Spanish-American War and acquisition of the Philippines Major assessments Spanish-American War article Presidential Advisory Committee speeches
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The Origins of a Global Power US Imperialism
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THE ROOTS OF EXPANSIONISM
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George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796) Washington warned Americans to “steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”
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Manifest Destiny MANIFEST DESTINY (coined 1845): the belief that the mission of the United States was to: expand bring democracy to others spread American values across the continent and perhaps even the world What to do when we occupy the entire continent?
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American Progress (John Gast, 1872)
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WHY IMPERIALISM?
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The Changing United States Emerged as economic and political giant Immigration, urbanization, industrialization Everyday lives changed radically
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Immigration 1890s: 45% immigrants or children of immigrants New immigrants
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US Immigration from Leading Countries Between 1850-1900 1850-601860-701870-801880-901890- 1900 Ireland 36.9%24.4%15.4%12.8%11% Germany 34.8%35.2%27.4%27.5%15.7% Britain 13.5%14.9%21.1%15.5%8.9% Scandinavia 0.9%5.5%7.6%12.7%10.5% Russia *0.2%1.3%3.5%12.2% Austria-Hungary *0.2%2.2%6%14.5% Italy *0.5%1.7%5.1%16.3%
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Urbanization 1/3 Americans=city dwellers by 1900 Problems in the cities Immigration + urbanization + industrialization = fears
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Industrialization and International Trade Manufacturing overtakes agriculture Exports: cotton, grain, beef, tobacco, dairy products, manufactured goods Value of exports: $1 billion by 1890s Surplus and tariffs 1893 depression= more fears
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Crisis! Would immigration fundamentally change the United States? Could the US’s prosperity be sustained now that the nation had reached its physical limits?
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Overseas expansion is the answer! Expansionists Expand into Asian markets Control land and canals in Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific islands Expansion political power
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Imperialism Imperialism: the policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories
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Motives: Economic Competition Raw materials New markets Foreign trade US was a leading economic power by 1900
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Motives: Political and Military Competition Build up military strength Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914) argues for a strong US navy The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890) US becomes world’s 3 rd largest naval power
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Motives: Social Darwinism “Survival of the fittest” Scientific racism European and American superiority Duty to “civilize”
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AMERICA EXPANDS
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US Buys Alaska 1867: Secretary of State William Seward buys Alaska from Russia $7.2 million; only 2 cents per acre! “Seward’s Folly” Rich in natural resources
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Hawaii: Before it was a state Americans owned sugar plantations that provided ¾ of the islands’ wealth 1900: foreigners and immigrant laborers outnumber native Hawaiians 3 to 1 1875: treaty allowed sale of Hawaiian sugar in US without duty 1887: white business leaders forced King Kalakua to change constitution 1887: US coerced Hawaii to sign treaty allowing construction of naval base at Pearl Harbor
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Hawaii: The Crisis McKinley Tariff (1890): duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar eliminated Competition in US market from Cuba sugar Queen Lilioukalani proposed new constitution to remove property qualifications for voting
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Hawaii: Road to Annexation Business groups organized a revolution against queen Marines took over government building and imprisoned queen Established government with Sanford B. Dole as president Eventually, in 1898, Hawaii is annexed Annex: to incorporate (territory) into the domain of a city, country, or state
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Summary 1890s period of great change Many changes alarming and frightening Approaches to restore economic well- being, promote American ideals, assert American power Significant element of US policy in 1890s becomes involvement overseas
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