Imperialism Lesson & Questions

Imperialism

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Building Support for Imperialism

Why did the United States assert itself as a world power?

• Following the Civil War, most Americans showed little interest in expanding nation’s territory outside United States. I

• Focused on reconstructing South, settling the West, & building up industry

• 1880s, economic & military competition from Europe & growing feeling of cultural superiority convinced Americans the United States should become a world power.

“U.S. Imperialism” video

 January of 1893, a group of powerful Caucasian planters backed by U.S. Marines orchestrated a plan to annex Hawaii to the United States. 

U.S. Imperialism

Multiple Select

What are the main reasons a nation becomes imperialistic? Choose all that apply.

• Money

• Power

• Isolation

• Culture

Open Ended

Based on the video:

1.Which argument for imperialism seems most relevant today?

2. Which argument seems most out of date?

Reading a Graph answer in notebook

1. What are exports & imports?

2. What is the export trend?

3. How does the graph demonstrate economic imperialism?

4. How do these changes reflect U.S. motivations for expansion?

A Desire for New Markets

• Many European nations expanding overseas, a development called the New Imperialism

• Imperialism is economic & political domination of a strong nation over weaker ones.

• European nations expanded their power overseas for many reasons.

• needed to import raw materials for manufacturing

• To protect their investments, European nations began taking control over territories, making some into colonies and others into protectorates

• In protectorate, the imperial power protected local rulers against rebellions & invasion.

• In return, rulers usually had to accept Europeans’ advice on how to govern their countries.

• As United States industrialized, many Americans noticed the expansion of European power overseas & took interest in new imperialism.

  
  

• Many concluded the nation needed new overseas markets to keep its economy strong

A Feeling of Superiority

• Certain key ideas encouraged Americans to support nation’s expansion overseas.

• Historian John Fiske argued that English-speaking nations had superior character, ideas, and systems of government.

• Many Americans linked his ideas, known as Anglo-Saxonism, with idea of Manifest Destiny.

• These Americans believed nation was destined to expand overseas to spread civilization to others.

Building a Modern Navy

• ideas gained support, the United States became more assertive in foreign affairs. The crisis ended peacefully

• In 1888, the country risked war to prevent Germany from taking control of Samoa.

• it led some Americans to believe the United States would be shut out of foreign markets if it did not build up its navy & acquire bases overseas

• By 1890s, several different ideas had come together

• Business leaders wanted new markets overseas

• Anglo-Saxonism had convinced Americans destined to expand into world, while growing European imperialism threatened U.S. security

• ideas convinced Congress to authorize a large modern navy.

Open Ended

Reading Check:

Why did Americans’ attitudes toward overseas expansion change?

Major Imperial Powers answer in notebook

1. What color is used to represent France?

2. According to this map, which continent was not controlled by imperialist powers?

3. Why do you think The Caribbean fell under American Influence?

Perry Opens Japan

• 1852, President Millard Fillmore ordered Commodore Matthew C. Perry to negotiate a trade treaty with Japan.

  
  

• 1853 warships under Perry’s command entered Edo Bay (now Tokyo Bay). Japan’s rulers, fearing influence of Western ideas, had limited contact with the West

• After seeing warships, the Japanese realized they were not powerful enough to resist modern weapons

• 1854, Japan signed Treaty of Kanagawa, giving United States trading rights at two Japanese ports.

Open Ended

Reading Check

1. Why did Japan want to limit contact with the West?

2. What changed Japan's mind about opening up to the West?

Annexing Hawaii

• Americans found that sugarcane grew well in Hawaii, and planters established sugar plantations

• 1875 United States signed a treaty exempting Hawaiian sugar from tariffs. This action taken to aid Hawaii during economic recession & prevent Hawaii from turning to Britain or France for help

• When treaty up for renewal, United States insisted Hawaii grant it exclusive rights to a naval base at Pearl Harbor.

Cont.

• 1887, wealthy sugar planters led by Sanford Dole forced the Hawaiian king to accept a new constitution that limited the king’s authority.

• planters eventually wanted to make Hawaii part of the United States. Tensions grew worse when Congress passed a new tariff in 1890

• tariff gave subsidies to American sugar producers, making Hawaiian sugar more expensive. The planters knew that if Hawaii joined the United States, they too would get the subsidies

• next year, Queen Liliuokalani ascended the Hawaiian throne and tried to restore the monarchy's authority.

annex Hawaii cont

• In response, planters overthrew queen. Backed by the American ambassador & U.S. Marines, the planters forced Liliuokalani to give up power, & asked Dole to serve as president of the new Hawaiian Republic. Dole then requested the United States annex Hawaii.

• President Cleveland, opposed imperialism, tried to restore the queen to power, but Hawaii’s new leaders refused. Instead, they decided to wait until a new president took office.

• 1898, under President McKinley, the United States annexed Hawaii & McKinley chose Dole to be Hawaii's first governor.

  
  

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Open Ended

Reading Check

How did the search for new overseas markets push the United States to become a world power?

America Supports Cuba

• When uprising began in Cuba against the Spanish, President Cleveland declared the United States neutral.

• However, stories of Spanish atrocities swayed many Americans in the rebels’ favor.

• news reports, which writers exaggerated or made up stories to attract readers, became known as yellow journalism. Although some stories were invented, Cubans indeed suffered horribly.

Calls for War

• 1897, William McKinley became president of the United States asked Spain if United States could help negotiate to end conflict, so United States would not have to intervene in the war.

• Spain offered Cubans autonomy, but only if Cuba remained part of the Spanish Empire.

• rebels refused to negotiate.

  & the loyalists rioted in Havana.

• McKinley sent the battleship USS Maine to Havana to protect Americans living there.

  February 15, 1898, the Maine exploded in Havana Harbor. To this day, no one is sure why the Maine exploded.

Multiple Select

Reading Check

What events led to the war with Spain in 1898? Check all that apply

• Opression of Cuban people by the Spanish

• Sensationalized reporting events in Cuba

• Insults to U.S. President

• Sinking of Maine in Havana Harbor