US Imperialism

Libertyville HS

Imperialism – What is it?• Imperialism is the projection

of power and influence to other parts of the world– May occur by conquering

territories and establishing colonies

– Also may occur through commercial domination

• Imperialism always includes managerial control and exploitation of wealth, resources of peripheral region

US Foreign Policy – Imperialist?• Was the US an imperial power

before 1776? What was its FP focus?

• Was the US an imperial power, from 1776-1815? What was its FP focus?

• Was the US an imperial power, from 1815-1865? What was its FP focus?

• Was the US an imperial power, after 1865? What was its FP focus?

Traditional Imperial Powers• After the 1860s, many

European countries became imperialist– Britain– France– Germany– Italy– Netherlands– Russia

• Where did the US fit in?

US as an Imperial Power after 1865

In Favor• Industrialization• Closing of the Frontier• European Imperialism on

the rise• Nationalism • Ethnocentrism (racism)• Mahan: The Influence of

Sea Power Upon History

Opposed• Our colonial experience• Washington’s Farewell

Address• Need for internal

improvements• Monroe Doctrine• The Frontier / Westward

Expansion

A Changing View• US Expansionism, justified

– Promoting economic growth• Production soaring• Search for new markets

– Protection of American Security• Perceived threats

– Preserving the “American Spirit”• Bringing “civilization” to

“lesser” peoples• Manifest destiny II?

US Asian Imperialism: China• Opium Wars (1839-1858)

– Europeans gained ports, access to Chinese market

– Missionaries– US gained same rights

• “Spheres of Influence”• Exclusive domination by a country• 1899: US didn’t have a sphere!

– “Open Door policy” (1899)• Free commercial access to China

for all imperialists• No annexation of territory

US Asian Imperialism: Japan• US expedition to open

Japan, 1853– “Coaling base”– Assure good treatment of

shipwrecked sailors– Trade

• Japan was a closed society– Shogun = supreme military

leader (1600s to 1853)– Dutch were allowed one ship

visit per year, for trade!– 1867: Shogun overthrown

US Imperialism in the Pacific• Alaska

– Purchased from Russia in 1867 for $0.02 per acre ($7.2 million)

– Russian fear = British conquest of Alaska

– “Seward’s Folly” (Sec’y of State to Andrew Johnson)

– Turned out to be a fantastic purchase• Strategic importance• Mineral wealth

US Imperialism in the Pacific• Hawaii

– 1779: first European contact (British)

– 1820: first US missionaries arrived

– 1887: US, UK businessmen force new constitution

– 1893: US, British businessmen overthrow government

– 1898: Hawaii annexed by US

• Samoa– Coaling base (secured 1900)