1. Becoming a World Power Part 1 Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific

2. Americans had always sought to expand the size of the nation, and by the mid 19 th century had extended control all the way to the Pacific Ocean. By the late 19 th century, many leaders became convinced that the United States should join the imperialist powers of Europe and establish colonies overseas.

3. As the 20 th century began, there were 45 states and 5 territories.

4. Imperialism  The policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.  This trend was happening around the world, as territory in Asia and Africa was being competed for by the world’s major powers.

5. 3 Arguments for Imperialism  Economic Interests – New colonies would provide cheap raw materials and markets for American goods.  Military Interests – Having U. S. forces spread around the world, would protect all of our interests.  Belief in Cultural Superiority – Some people felt the U. S. way of life was best, and should be spread.

6. Albert Beveridge – American Historian and U. S. Senator from Indiana

7. William Seward and Alaska  Seward was the Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson.  He was a believer in expansion, and made his biggest move in 1867 by acquiring Alaska.

8.  Seward arranged for Alaska to be purchased from Russia for $7.2 million.  Some people called it a “Polar Bear Garden” or “Seward’s Icebox”.

9. The purchase of Alaska turned out to be one of the best land bargains in American history. In the late 1800s, large gold fields were discovered there. It was a territory also filled with fur-bearing animals, timber, copper, coal, oil, and fish off its coast.

10. Hawaii is strategically located in the Pacific.

11. The Annexation of Hawaii  In the early 1800s, Christian missionaries from the United States had moved to Hawaii to try and convert some of the local population.  Their descendants started sugar plantations, and by the late 1800s, these wealthy planters dominated Hawaii’s economy.

12. The sugarcane industry

13.  At about the same time, U. S. trade laws began to favor sugar grown only in the United States.  The planters in Hawaii were not happy with these situations. In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani became the leader of Hawaii. She wanted to limit the power of the planters.

14. In January 1893, they staged a revolt. With the help of U. S. Marines, they overthrew the queen and set up their own government. They then asked to be annexed by the U. S.

15. U. S. leaders realized the importance of these islands in the vast Pacific Ocean, and President Harrison sent a treaty to the Senate for approval. Before it was approved though, the new president, Grover Cleveland took office and withdrew the treaty. He did not approve of the planters’ actions. It was 5 more years before Hawaii was annexed, when a new president, William McKinley, was in office.

17. A Power in the Pacific  Throughout the 1800s, the U. S. continued to expand its influence in Asia.  In the 1850s, under the threat of force, Japanese ports were opened to American trade, by Commodore Matthew Perry.

18. After Commodore Perry opened up Japan for trade, the nation also opened to Western ideas. Japan began to modernize and soon emerged as a world power. By the late 1800s, Japan, along with several European powers expanded what was called their Spheres of Influence, or areas where foreign nations claimed special rights and economic privileges.

20.  The competition for spheres of influence worried U. S. leaders.  In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay promoted his Open Door Policy.

22. Many Chinese people were upset by the presence of so many “foreign devils” in their country. One group, called the “Boxers” was angry that some foreigners had special privileges, and that some foreigners disrespected Chinese traditions. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, many foreigners were killed and an international military force was used to stop the uprising. Boxer Rebellion