Imperialism and America Ch 10 1 American Expansionism
- Slides: 7
Imperialism and America Ch 10 -1
American Expansionism • Imperialism- the policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. • 3 factors that fueled American Imperialism: – Desire for military strength – Thirst for new markets – Belief in cultural superiority
Desire for Military Strength • Because other nations established a military presence in the world, the U. S. decided to do the same. • Alfred T. Mahan- urged government officials to build up American naval power in order to compete with other nations. • The U. S. begins construction of battle ships and becomes the third largest naval power.
Thirst for New Markets • Advanced technology allows the U. S. to overproduce more than they can consume. • The U. S. needed foreign trade to sell more of its products.
Belief in Cultural Superiority • Some Americans believed it was their responsibility to spread Christianity to the worlds inferior people. • Many believed that Anglo-Saxons were superior to other races.
Hawaii • In 1867 The U. S. buys Alaska and takes over the Midway Islands. • Hawaii has been important to American trade since the 1790’s. • In 1875 Hawaiian sugar was imported duty free to the U. S. (C&H Sugar) • 1887 -, Hawaii was pressured into allowing the U. S. to build a naval force at Pearl Harbor.
• By 1900, foreigners outnumbered native Hawaiians 3 to 1. • Only rich land owners were allowed to vote. Many were white. • Queen Liliuokalani proposed removing the voting restrictions and many business groups organized a revolution. • The Queen yielded her authority to avoid any loss of life. • 1898 Hawaii becomes a U. S. Territory without Hawaiians ever getting to vote on the decision. • Became 50 th state in 1959.