Becoming aBecoming aWorld PowerWorld Power

Part 1Part 1

Alaska, Hawaii, and the PacificAlaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific

Americans had always sought to expand the size of the nation, and by the mid 19th century had extended control all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

By the late 19th century, many leaders became convinced that the United States should join the imperialist powers of Europe and establish colonies overseas.

As the 20As the 20thth century began, there were 45 states and 5 territories. century began, there were 45 states and 5 territories.

ImperialismImperialismThe policy by which stronger The policy by which stronger

nations extend their economic, nations extend their economic, political, or military control over political, or military control over weaker territories.weaker territories.

This trend was happening around the This trend was happening around the world, as territory in Asia and Africa world, as territory in Asia and Africa was being competed for by the was being competed for by the world’s major powers.world’s major powers.

3 Arguments for Imperialism3 Arguments for Imperialism Economic InterestsEconomic Interests – New colonies – New colonies

would provide cheap raw materials and would provide cheap raw materials and markets for American goods.markets for American goods.

Military InterestsMilitary Interests – Having U. S. forces – Having U. S. forces spread around the world, would protect spread around the world, would protect all of our interests.all of our interests.

Belief in Cultural SuperiorityBelief in Cultural Superiority – Some – Some people felt the U. S. way of life was best, people felt the U. S. way of life was best, and should be spread.and should be spread.

Albert Beveridge – Albert Beveridge – American Historian and U. S. Senator from IndianaAmerican Historian and U. S. Senator from Indiana

William Seward and AlaskaWilliam Seward and Alaska Seward was the Seward was the

Secretary of State Secretary of State under Presidents under Presidents Lincoln and Lincoln and Johnson.Johnson.

He was a believer He was a believer in expansion, and in expansion, and made his biggest made his biggest move in 1867 by move in 1867 by acquiring Alaska.acquiring Alaska.

Seward arranged for Alaska to be purchased Seward arranged for Alaska to be purchased from Russia for $7.2 million.from Russia for $7.2 million.

Some people called it a “Polar Bear Garden” or Some people called it a “Polar Bear Garden” or “Seward’s Icebox”.“Seward’s Icebox”.

The purchase of Alaska turned out to be one of the best land bargains in American history.

In the late 1800s, large gold fields were discovered there. It was a territory also filled with fur-bearing animals, timber, copper, coal, oil, and fish off its coast.

Hawaii is strategically located in the Pacific.Hawaii is strategically located in the Pacific.

The Annexation of HawaiiThe Annexation of Hawaii In the early 1800s, Christian missionaries In the early 1800s, Christian missionaries

from the United States had moved to from the United States had moved to Hawaii to try and convert some of the Hawaii to try and convert some of the local population.local population.

Their descendants started sugar Their descendants started sugar plantations, and by the late 1800s, these plantations, and by the late 1800s, these wealthy planters dominated Hawaii’s wealthy planters dominated Hawaii’s economy.economy.

The sugarcane industry

At about the same At about the same time, U. S. trade time, U. S. trade laws began to favor laws began to favor sugar grown only in sugar grown only in the United States.the United States.

The planters in The planters in Hawaii were not Hawaii were not happy with these happy with these situations.situations.

In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani became the leader of Hawaii. She wanted to limit the power of the planters.

In January 1893, they staged a revolt. With the help of U. S. Marines, they overthrew the queen and set up their own government. They then asked to be annexed by the U. S.

U. S. leaders realized the importance of these islands in the vast Pacific Ocean, and

President Harrison sent a treaty to the Senate for approval. Before it was approved though,

the new president, Grover Cleveland took office and withdrew the treaty. He did not approve of the planters’ actions. It was 5

more years before Hawaii was annexed, when a new president, William McKinley, was in

office.

A Power in the A Power in the PacificPacific

Throughout the Throughout the 1800s, the U. S. 1800s, the U. S. continued to continued to expand its expand its influence in Asia.influence in Asia.

In the 1850s, In the 1850s, under the threat of under the threat of force, Japanese force, Japanese ports were opened ports were opened to American trade, to American trade, by Commodore by Commodore Matthew Perry.Matthew Perry.

After Commodore Perry opened up Japan for trade, the nation also opened to Western ideas. Japan began to modernize and soon emerged as a world power.

By the late 1800s, Japan, along with several European powers expanded what was called their Spheres of Influence, or areas where foreign nations claimed special rights and economic privileges.

The The competition competition for spheres of for spheres of influence influence worried U. S. worried U. S. leaders.leaders.

In 1899, In 1899, Secretary of Secretary of State John State John Hay promoted Hay promoted his his Open Open Door PolicyDoor Policy..

Many Chinese people were upset by the presence of so many “foreign devils” in their country. One group, called the “Boxers” was angry that some foreigners had special privileges, and that some foreigners disrespected Chinese traditions. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, many foreigners were killed and an international military force was used to stop the uprising.

BoxerRebellion