1. The Imperialist Vision
Becoming a World Power

2. Why did the U.S. assert itself as a world power?
In the 1880’s, economic and military competition from Europe and a growing feeling of cultural superiority convinced many Americans that the U.S. should become a world power.
A desire for new markets
A feeling of superiority
Building a modern navy
Why did the U.S. assert itself as a world power?

3. A Desire for New Markets
European nations were expanding overseas, a development called new imperialism.
Imperialism: the economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker ones.
Reasons for expansion:
needed to import raw materials for manufacturing
investment opportunities slowed in Western Europe, so they began looking overseas for places to invest their capital.
high tariffs reduced trade and forced companies to look for new markets overseas

4. A Desire for New Markets
To protect their investments, European nations began exerting control over territories
made some into colonies
made some into protectorates (The imperial power protected local rulers against rebellions and invasions. In return, rulers usually had to accept Europeans’ advice on how to govern their countries.)
Americans noticed European expansion and took an interest in the new imperialism
many concluded that the U.S. needed new overseas markets to keep its economy strong

5. A Feeling of Superiority
Historian John Fiske argued that English-speaking nations had superior character, ideas, and systems of government.
his ideas were known as Anglo-Saxonism
linked with Manifest Destiny
“The work which the English race began when it colonized North America is destined to go on until every land...that is not already the seat of an old civilization shall become English in its language, in its religion, in its political habits and traditions, and to a predominant extent in the blood of its people.”
John Fiske, from “Manifest Destiny,” Harper’s Magazine,

6. A Feeling of Superiority
Josiah Strong, a popular American minister and influential advocate of Anglo- Saxonism
linked Anglo-Saxonism to Christian missionary ideas
influenced many Americans, convincing them to support an expansion of American power overseas
“The Anglo-Saxon [is] divinely commissioned to be, in a peculiar sense, his brother’s keeper.”
-Josiah Strong -

7. Building a Modern Navy
As ideas of expansionism gained support, the U.S. became more assertive in foreign affairs
the U.S. risked war to prevent Germany from taking control of Samoa.
ended peacefully but convinced many Americans that the U.S. would be shut out of foreign markets if it did not build up its navy and acquire bases overseas
U.S. naval officer Captain Alfred T. Mahan helped build public support for a navy when he published The Influence of Sea Power Upon History in 1890
pointed out that many prosperous nations had a large fleet of merchant ships to trade with the world and a large navy to defend the nation’s trade.

8. Building a Modern Navy
Henry Cabot Lodge and Albert J. Beveridge, powerful senators, used their position to convince Congress to support a new navy.
Benjamin Tracy, a secretary of the navy under President Harrison, John D. Long, secretary of the navy under President McKinley, and his assistant secretary Theodore Roosevelt, all supported Mahan’s ideas.

9. Mahan on Military Bases
“To provide resting places for them [warships], where they can coal and repair, would be one of the first duties of a government proposing to itself the development of the power of the nation at sea.”
-Alfred Thayer Mahan, from The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1890
Why do you think establishing “resting places” is a key issue for developing naval power?

10. Why did the U.S. look to the Pacific for new markets?
From the earliest days of the Republic, Americans had expanded their nation by moving westward. When looking overseas for new markets, the United States naturally looked to the pacific
Perry opens Japan
Annexing Samoa and Hawaii
Why did the U.S. look to the Pacific for new markets?

11. Perry Opens Japan
President Millard Fillmore ordered Commodore Matthew C. Perry to negotiate a trade treaty with Japan.
warships under Perry’s command entered Edo Bay (now Tokyo Bay).
Japan’s rulers, fearing the influence of Western ideas, had limited contact with the West
After seeing the warships, the Japanese realized they were not powerful enough to resist modern weapons.
Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa
gave the U.S. trading rights at two Japanese ports

12. Annexing Samoa and Hawaii
As trade with Asia grew, the U.S. needed ports for its ships to refuel and resupply as they crossed the Pacific.
the U.S. negotiated permission to open a base at Pago Pago in the Samoan islands
an agreement divided Samoa between Germany and the U.S.
Americans found out that sugarcane grew well in Hawaii
American planters established sugar plantations there
the U.S. signed a treaty exempting Hawaiian sugar from import tariffs.
treaty was initiated to aid Hawaii during an economic recession and to prevent it from turning to Britain or France for help.
when the treaty was up for renewal, the U.S. insisted Hawaii grant the U.S. exclusive rights to a naval base at Pearl Harbor

13. Annexing Samoa and Hawaii
wealthy sugar planters led by Sanford Dole, force the Hawaiian king to accept a new constitution that limited the king’s authority.
planters eventually wanted to make Hawaii part of the U.S.
Tensions grew when the U.S. passed a new tariff in 1890
gave subsidies to American sugar producers, making Hawaiian sugar more expensive
planters knew that if Hawaii joined the U.S. they too would get the subsidies
Queen Liliuokalani ascended the Hawaiian throne and tried to restore the monarchy’s authority
Backed by the American ambassador and the U.S. Marines, the planters forced Liliuokalani to give up power, and asked Dole to serve as president of the new Hawaiian Republic
Dole requested the U.S. annex Hawaii
President Cleveland opposed imperialism, tried instead to restore the queen to power
President McKinley annexed Hawaii and chose Dole to be Hawaii’s first governor.

14. “The Reluctant Bridegroom”
A political cartoon showing how some Americans were opposed to imperialism and did not want to see the annexation of Hawaii come to pass.

15. “Uncle Sam - You fellows will please stand back while I try these oyster sandwiches myself.”
Political cartoon showing how the U.S. was acting in a very similar way to other nations with expansionist views.

16. Assignment
Write the questions and the answers on a separate sheet of paper. Due tomorrow.
How did Anglo-Saxonism help foster American imperialism?
What are the factors that led the U.S. to realize an imperialist vision in the 1890s?
Why did the U.S. assert itself as a world power?
Why did the U.S. look to the Pacific for new markets?
What role did Sanford Dole play in Hawaii’s annexation to the U.S.?