Why would the USA want Alaska Acquiring Alaska

Why would the USA want Alaska?

Acquiring Alaska “Seward’s Folly” 1867 – S of S William Seward negotiated a treaty with Russia 7 million in exchange for Alaska This was an example of ______. Expansionism

Taking Hawaii

One early visitor described. . . The ease with which the Hawaiians on their own land can secure their food supply has undoubtably interfered with their social and industrial advancement. . [It] relieves the native from any struggle and unfits him for sustained competition with men from other lands. The fact that food is supplied by nature takes from the native all desire for the acquisition of more land. Today's food can be had for the picking, and tomorrow's as well. Instead of grasping all he can get, he divides with his neighbor, and confidently expects his neighbor to divide with him. Nice, right…? https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Xpsm. UCts

American Interests in Hawaii American missionaries go to Hawaii to convert people American businessmen buy land in Hawaii Sugar 1875 treaty allows Hawaiian sugar to be sold “duty free” to USA King plantations K asked for it! Americans build warehouses, railroads, stores, et cetera What seems to have happened?

Americans start to control Hawaii 1887 King Kalakaua amends the constitution Council had all the power gives voting rights to wealthy landowners ONLY Gives USA naval base at Pearl Harbor What has happened? "Little was left to the imagination of the hesitating and unwilling sovereign, as to what he might expect in the event of his refusal to comply with the demands made upon him. "

Hawaiian “Revival” 1890 Mc. Kinley Tariff = now there is a high duty on sugar 1891 Queen Lil takes over the thrown “Hawaii for Hawaiians” Creates a new constitution “Treasonous” http: //www. pbslearningmedia. org/resource/ha 06. ush. ind. overthrow/the-overthrow-of-queenliliuokalani/

Americans Get Aggressive • 1893, planters uprising overthrow Lil • Coup & marines stormed the islands • • • The provisional government Sanford Dole (President) • • Lil steps down raised stars and stripes in Honolulu. 1894 ask Cleveland to annex • Cleveland refuses but does recognize government

The Road to Annexation 1897 Mc. Kinley becomes president 1898 Spanish-American War 1898 Hawaii is annexed by USA Why? What changes? William Mc. Kinley

Grover Cleveland William Mc. Kinley Sanford Dole

“The New Temptation on the Mount: “ Behold all this I will give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ” A “World- Wide Empire” including Hawaii and the Philippines, is offered on the horizon.