Why did America join the Imperialistic Club at the end of the 19th Century?

Why did America join the Imperialistic Club at the end of the 19th Century?

The Imperialists

Great Britain

France

BelgiumUSA??

Germany

Japan

Growth of ImperialismGrowth of Imperialism

By 1890, the United States was eager to join the competition for new territory. Supporters of expansion denied that the United States sought to annex foreign lands. Yet annexation did take place.

1. Economic Reasons1. Economic Reasons

American farmers had produced a surplus of goods

Needed new markets to sell stuff

Needed raw materials for factories

……………..Solution= foreign trade

2.Military Reasons 2.Military Reasons

Wanted to build up American navy

Defend peacetime shipping lanes

Needed to establish naval bases in Pacific and

CaribbeanU.S. became 3rd largest

naval power

Alfred T MahanAlfred T Mahan

*Urged the building of a stronger navy with bases in Hawaii, Cuba and the Philippines

*Also urged building a canal across Central America for faster shipping

*”The Influence of Sea Power on History”

3.Nationalistic 3.Nationalistic • Some Americans believed the

philosophy of Social Darwinism (survival of fittest) some nations were superior to others

• Manifest Destiny- must continue expansion

• racial superiority to justify imperialism God was training the Anglo-Saxon raceIt was our moral duty to spread our culture to others

4.Humanitarian 4.Humanitarian

•Educated, religious, political believed it was our duty to spread our civilization….

• Law, medicine, religion

The Fruits of Imperialism

                                           

The Fruits of Imperialism

Expanding U.S. InterestsExpanding U.S. Interests

• United States declared itself neutral in European wars

• warned other nations to stay out of the Western Hemisphere.

• Doctrine was interpreted to mean a more active role to protect the interests of the United States.

The Monroe Doctrine

Chapter 17, Section 1

Arguments for U.S. ExpansionArguments for U.S. Expansion

• Needed new markets in other countries.Promoting Economic Growth

• navy with bases around the world would protect U.S. Interests..

Protecting American Security

• Spreading Christianity was a noble pursuit.Preserving American Spirit

Alaska- a mistake?Alaska- a mistake?

Many American’s thought it was foolish for the US to buy ($7.2 million) Alaska from Russia- too far away and unknown “Seward’s Folly” “Seward’s Icebox”

1896- Gold was discovered in the Klondike Region

Alaska turned out to be so profitable that many felt we should search for new lands across the seas