GOAL 6 PART 1:US Imperialism 1890-1915

IMPERIALISM• The policy in which a stronger

nation extends their economic, political,

and military control over a weaker territories

• Dawn of American Imperialism - late 19th early 20th century

• Jingoism: extreme patriotism in the form of aggressive foreign policy / supported by WAR!!

• Imperialism / Jingoism – can be justified by

(1) Social Darwinism “Survival of the Fittest”

“Natural Selection / Law”(2) Manifest Destiny (Religion / God)

3 MAIN GOALS OF IMPERIALISM

• (1) Militarism(Purpose: compete with rest of the world by building global military bases)• (2) New Markets & Trade (Purpose: America is

experiencing overproduction, unemployment and economic depression *solution = foreign trade)• (3) Nationalism: Belief in cultural superiority

(Purpose: responsibility of spreading Christianity)

(1) MILITARISM: DESIRE FOR MILITARY STRENGTH

• U.S. wanted a stronger military **** Alfred T. Mahan ****- urged the government to build up the

U.S. Naval power in order to “compete” with other countries

- The Influence of Sea Power Upon History

- leads to the creation of the “Great White Fleet” – represents the signs of America’s “growing” military power!

Military/Strategic Interests

Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783

TEDDY ROOSEVELT’S GREAT WHITE FLEET

• A worldwide CRUISE to project growing American military strength!

(2) THIRST FOR NEW MARKETS

• Why do we need new markets?

• *Technology enabled factories to produce far more what citizens could consume or purchase (Overproduction)

• Foreign trade could be seen as a solution to the problem of overproduction

• Define: • Extractive Economies -• Commodity-

(3) NATIONALISM:BELIEF IN CULTURAL SUPERIORITY

• *Social Darwinism*• The Americans had the “responsibility” to “civilize”

the rest of the world through Christianity and other aspects of American culture.

• “White Man’s Burden”-ANGLO-SAXONISM • By: Rudyard Kipling, published in 1899• Topic: It is the Anglo-Saxon’s “responsibility” to

colonize other cultures and teach them / • Interpretation: Racism and Ethnocentrism • judging another culture solely by the values and

standards of one's own culture.

US AND BRITAIN WILL “CIVILIZE” THE “SAVAGES” OF THE WORLD!

THE U.S. ACQUIRES ALASKA• William Seward (Secretary

of State) Arrangement: Seward wanted to purchase Alaska from RUSSIA for $7.2 million.• House of Rep. did not like it!

Nickname: SEWARD’S FOLLY / SEWARD’S ICEBOX1867 – Alaska was purchased!Why did we want it? Timber, minerals and oil~

THE U.S. “TAKES” HAWAII

• 1867, The U.S. took over Midway Islands, north of Hawaiian islands• Hawaii: Economically important to U.S.• Stop there on our way to China *(trade)• U.S. convinces the Hawaiian culture to let them build

“PEARL HARBOR” – the Kingdom’s best port! (refueling station for U.S.)

END OF THE HAWAIIAN MONARCHY

• King Kalakaua was “strong armed” by America• KK was forced to amend their constitution and allow

ONLY landowners to VOTE• KK died and his sister took over

• *Queen Liliuokalani*• “HAWAII FOR HAWAIIANS” - wanted to remove the

property-ownership qualification from voting rights in Hawaii

HAWAIIAN MONARCHY

REACTION TO QUEEN L’S DECISION

• American revolution (U.S. TAKES HAWAII)• Leader: Sanford B Dole: (overthrew the Queen and

established an American “protectorate” • Protectorate: a country whose affairs are partially

controlled by a stronger power / nation.• President Cleveland directed the Queen to be “put

back” onto her thrown!• Dole says no! (proves Pres. Cleveland was weak)• President Cleveland WILL NOT annex Hawaii unless

the majority of Hawaiians VOTE for being part of America!!!

PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY

• Wins the 1896 Presidential Election (after Cleveland)• (Remember: ran against William Jennings Bryan /

bimetallism)• William McKinley “SUPPORTS” Imperialism!!!• Response: 1898, Congress and McKinley claimed Hawaii

as an American territory (not allowing them to vote)• Hawaii becomes the 50th state in 1959

U.S. ISOLATIONISM

• Precedent set by George Washington• Imperialism would force U.S. to

maintain large, expensive military• Contrary to American principles

of freedom, self-determination, democracy• Racism/Ethnocentrism: U.S.

couldn’t assimilate large populations of foreign races

Anti-Imperialist, Mark Twain

PROMOTION AND OPPOSITION OF IMPERIALISM

• Justifying / promoting Imperialism• Social Darwinism• Manifest Destiny• Desire to build up military strength• Thirst for new markets• Cultural Superiority

Opposing Imperialism*Anti-Imperialism League- Imperialism would force U.S. to maintain large, expensive

military- Contrary to American principles of freedom, self-

determination, democracy- Racism/Ethnocentrism: U.S. couldn’t assimilate large

populations of foreign races