Imperialism and America

Notes:Chapter 10 Section 1 and 2

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I.) Origins of American Imperialism

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A. Imperialism—policy in which stronger nations extend their economic,

political, or military control over weaker countries

B. Three factors fueled American imperialism:1. desire for military strength2. thirst for new markets3. belief in cultural superiority

D. Thirst for New Markets1. Advances in technology allow farms & factories produce more than

Americans can consume2. America needs raw materials & new markets to export goods3. Foreign trade seen as solution to America’s problems of

overproduction, unemployment, depression

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E. Belief in Cultural Superiority1. Some combine Social Darwinism with belief in superiority of

Anglo-Saxons2. Argue America has duty to Christianize & civilize “inferior peoples”

C. Desire for Military Strength1. Admiral Alfred T. Mahan urges U.S. to build up navy to compete2. U.S. builds modern battleships, becomes third largest naval power

II.) The United States Acquires Alaska

A. Early Expansion1. William Seward – supporter of expansion and Secretary of

State under Lincoln and Johnson; in 1867 arranges purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million

a. becomes 49th state in 1959

2. purchase is nicknamed “Seward’s Folly” but later proven to

contain rich natural resources (timber, minerals, oil)

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III.) The United States Takes HawaiiA. The Cry for Annexation

1. 1790s, U.S. merchants stop in Hawaii on way to China & India

2. 1820s, Yankee missionaries found schools & churches on islands

3. Mid-1800s, American-owned sugar plantations 75% of islands’ wealth

4. 1887, U.S. pressures Hawaii to allow naval base at Pearl Harbor

5. 1890 McKinley Tariff eliminates duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar

Outcome: Planters call for U.S. to annex islands (will not have to pay duty)

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B. The End of a Monarchy1. Hawaian King Kalakaua amends constitution to limit

vote to landowners 2. Queen Liliuokalani becomes queen in 1891 and tries

to remove landowning requirement (for the people)3. Marines, business groups overthrow queen and set up

government headed by Sanford B. Dole4. President Cleveland refuses annexation unless

majority of Hawaians favor itOutcome: recognizes Republic of Hawaii5. President McKinley favors annexation and in 1898

Congress proclaims Hawaii U.S. territorya. becomes 50th state in 1959

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