4.1: The Rise of 4.1: The Rise of American American

ImperialismImperialismHawaii, Cuba, the Philippines, Hawaii, Cuba, the Philippines,

and Latin Americaand Latin America

Anti-Imperial Sentiment: Background

From the Civil War until the 1890s, most Americans had little interest in territorial expansion: Imperial rule seemed

inconsistent with America's republican principles.

The US did not welcome people with different cultures, languages, and religions.

European Imperialism

By the mid-1890s, a shift had taken place in American attitudes toward expansion. Why? Between 1870 and 1900, the European powers seized 10 million square miles of territory in Africa and Asia. About 150 million people were subjected to colonial rule.

Fear of Competition

In the United States, a growing number of policy makers, bankers, manufacturers, and trade unions grew fearful that the country might be closed out in the struggle for global markets and raw materials.

Belief in Darwinian Struggle A belief that the world's

nations were engaged in a Darwinian struggle for survival and that countries that failed to compete were doomed to decline also contributed to a new assertiveness on the part of the United States.

ImperialismDefinition:

Stronger nations take over weaker nations to become more powerful. Political, economical & social

control

It must be supported by the military

4 Causes of Imperialism (leave space between each)

Manifest Destiny Expanding Markets Spreading American Views Anglo-Saxon (white) Superiority

Manifest Destiny Expanding coast to coast Atlantic Ocean to the

Pacific Ocean We’ve accomplished

this – now what?

Tracing American Expansion Louisiana Purchase Florida Oregon Texas Mexican Cession Gadsden Purchase Alaska

Closing the American Closing the American FrontierFrontier

Closing the American Closing the American FrontierFrontier

Expanding Markets

The opportunity to buy & sell goods to new places We can make more money!!

Main reason the US becomes imperialistic

The 2nd Industrial Revolution contributed to this desire… Lots of new products are being made &

we need to sell them…

American Foreign Trade:

1870-1914

American Foreign Trade:

1870-1914

Commercial/Business Commercial/Business InterestsInterests

Commercial/Business Commercial/Business InterestsInterests

Spread American Views

Spreading American values & customs What’s this called when we force

others to give up their culture? Assimilation

White Man’s Burden It is the white man’s duty to civilize

other people

Examples: Assimilation Dawe’s Act

Anglo-Saxon Superiority

Belief that white people (Americans) were culturally superior

We believe we’re better than everyone else – especially non-whites!

Social Darwinist ThinkingSocial Darwinist Thinking Social Darwinist ThinkingSocial Darwinist Thinking

The White Man’sBurden

The White Man’sBurdenThe Hierarchy

of RaceThe Hierarchy

of Race

A Desire for Sea Power Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval

strategist and the author of The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, argued that national prosperity and power depended on control of the world's sea-lanes. "Whoever rules the waves rules the world," Mahan wrote.

Military/Strategic InterestsMilitary/Strategic Interests Military/Strategic InterestsMilitary/Strategic Interests

Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783

Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History

Author:

Topic:

4 Goals:

Alfred T. Mahan

Identifies 4 things the US needed to become imperialistic

1. Build a modern Navy

2. Gets islands in the Caribbean Sea

3. Gets islands in the Pacific Ocean

4. Build a canal through Latin America

(Panama Canal)

Acquisition of Alaska The exception to the rule was

Alaska. In 1867, Sec. of State William Steward arranged to buy Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million. Rich in natural resources (timber, minerals, and oil), Alaska was a bargain at two cents per acre.

Spheres of Influence

Are of economic & political control exerted by one nation over other nations

One nation influences other nations

Ex: Monroe Doctrine: The USA has influence over N. & S. America (Western Hemisphere)

Colony

One country sets up & controls a settlement in another areaEconomic & political control

Ex: England established the American colonies in N. America

Protectorate

One country partially controls the affairs of another country

Ex: The USA’s relationship with Cuba

Commonwealth

Similar to a protectorate, but less restrictive

Ex: USA & Puerto Rico

Mercantilism

Economic theory that colonies exist to help make the mother country more self-sufficient Exporting (sell) more than importing

(buy)

Ex: The American colonies supplied the raw materials for England to make finished goods to sell to other countries