1. Chapter 20 The United States Looks Overseas

2. Key Terms for the Chapter
Isolationism
Avoiding involvement in other countries’ affairs
Imperialism
Building empires by imposing political and economic control over peoples around the world

5. The Turner Thesis Frederick Jackson Turner
Created idea that western frontier defined American History
expansionists believed that overseas was the new frontier and would bring new riches and power

6. Economic Growth
Expansionists argued that future prosperity depended on building up trade
U.S. had a powerful industrial economy and produced more than Americans would buy

7. Economic Growth
There was a fear that if U.S. did not expand it would be shut out of global markets and denied raw materials
Alfred T. Mahan stated that the key to strong trade was a powerful navy

8. United States Looks Overseas
Purchasing Alaska
1867 The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (about 2 cents an acre)
Alaska was full of resources (gold and oil)
Alaska Gold Rush of

10. Spreading American Values
In the late 1800s many Americans believed that Americans of the “Anglo-Saxon race” were superior to “lesser races” in other nations
Argument was Americans had a divine duty to spread Christian values and western civilization around the world.

11. Gaining Foothold in the Pacific
Expansionists had interest in various Pacific islands, and saw them essential for expanding influence and trade

12. Samoa

13. Gaining Foothold in the Pacific
Samoa
U.S. had interest in Samoa to use as coaling stations for ships
Other European countries also wanted Samoa and Britain, Germany, and the U.S. almost went to war
In 1899 the U.S. and Germany divided the islands
People in Samoa had no say in the matter.