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Published byCaroline Richards Modified over 9 years ago
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US Imperialism 1853-1904
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The Pressure to Expand
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Imperialism occurs when strong nations create empires by dominating weak nations economically, politically, or militarily.
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Why do nations embrace imperialism? 1.Economics ($$$) - Sell what you don’t consume and make money. 2.Nationalism - promoting your nation, competition with others. 3.Militarism - for national defense, refueling and supply bases. 4.Humanitarianism - Helping poorer people, missionary efforts.
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How could we justify expansion? 1. Missionary efforts. 2. Social Darwinism. (strong societies take over weak ones) 3. Profit. 4. Taking civilization to the uneducated “backward” peoples
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Improved communication and transportation helped them extend their territories to far lands Europe Leads the Way British Empire
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In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry sailed an American fleet into Tokyo Bay to forcibly open Japanese markets.
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In 1866, the French put a king on the “throne” of Mexico. We sent an army to Mexico to help them realize the error of their ways. Maximillian I was gone within months. Maximillian I
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America purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, increasing the size of the US considerably. I live in Alaska, too!
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Now that we were trying to increase our influence and land, we needed refueling and repair stations for ships.
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In 1867, we annexed the uninhabited Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean to help ships get across the ocean.
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European countries had already carved up Africa by 1898 and the USA was feeling left out.
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US businesses dominated the economies of Guatemala, Costa Rico, and Honduras. Most of their exports made money for American owners. These were called Banana Republics.
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When America was producing goods in other countries and selling goods, Alfred Thayer Mahan’s idea of building a new modern navy to protect trade seemed reasonable.
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This Navy was used to get us out of trouble and let us get our way. This is called Gunboat Diplomacy.
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By 1900, the US had one of the most powerful navies in the world, with new battleships, torpedo boats, cruisers, and gunboats.
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Why did we consider the Pacific Islands, Caribbean Islands, and South America “ours”? 1. Monroe Doctrine. 2. Profit. 3. They have Africa. 4. Our Navy rocks!
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Teaching the lesson...
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US wanted to join in gaining new territories, but denied the desire to annex (join a new territory to an existing country) foreign lands
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Economic Growth many Americans felt expansion was necessary to support the economy we needed markets for our products some businesses invested in foreign economies
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Banana Republics Central American nations dominated by American business companies, such as the United Fruit Company
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Naval Growth The US needed a powerful Navy in order to protect markets from foreign rivals
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Congress authorized the building of cruisers, battleships, gunboats, torpedo boats, including the USS Maine.
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By 1900, the US had one of the most powerful navies in the world
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Social Darwinism pushed for territorial expansion of the US. believed that Anglo- Saxon and Teutonic peoples were superior to the societies they conquered
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Most Americans decided they wanted new markets abroad and favorable trade relations with foreign countries They were unaware of the political and military implications of such a desire
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