Imperialism and America Coach Reid American Expansionism US

Imperialism and America Coach Reid

American Expansionism US is seeking to expand its land This requires colonization of other areas Imperialism The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories

Global Competition Colonization is nothing new Three Factors Fueled American Imperialism 1) Desire for military strength 2) Thirst for new markets 3) Belief in cultural superiority

Desire for Military Strength US wanted to establish a global military presence Alfred Mahan Supported military build up Encouraged government to build up Navy The Result: US built 9 steel hulled cruisers Maine and Oregon 3 rd Largest Navy in the world

Thirst For New Markets Technology Improvement in Agriculture =Surplus US now searching for other places to sell goods The imperialist solution: Foreign trade

Belief in Cultural Superiority Two ideas to spread to other areas 1) Religion (Christianity) 2) “Civilization” Do you believe we are more civilized? Nacirema Article

The United States Acquires Alaska William Seward Arranged for the US to buy Alaska from Russia for 7. 2 Million Alaska’s Resources: 1) Timber 2) Minerals 3) Oil

The United States Takes Hawaii Big Market= Sugar US leaders understood the value of the islands Pearl Harbor US government pressured Hawaii to set up a naval base here This became a refueling station for American ships

The United States Takes Hawaii Queen Liliuokalani Overthrown by business leaders for attempting to dismiss voter restrictions Business leaders revolted and set up their own leader Sanford Dole- leader following Queen

The United States Takes Hawaii Grover Cleveland attempted to restore power to the Queen Dole refused to give up power Cleveland wanted Hawaiians to vote on becoming state Mc. Kinley claims Hawaii in 1898 without the vote