American Imperialism

Cause and Effect of US Imperialism

1895-1914

1. Colonization

2. Protectorate

3. Sphere of Influence

Types

When one nation exerts power over another (this may be physical power via military or economic power) for its own gain.

Definition

What is imperialism?

Fill in the Blanks

Colonization, protectorates, and spheres of influence are all forms of

• Spread capitalism and democracy

• As the US grew richer/more advanced/stronger it wants to show its power/ be seen as a world power

Political

Causes of US imperialism

Social

Economic

• Social Darwinism/ American Exceptionalism- US is best and needs to “help” other countries become like US.

• Racism (The White Man’s Burden) - "help" other nations be like the US

• Need for natural resources from other nations (to make products)

• Need for new markets (new people to sell to)

Multiple Choice

What was an economic reason for imperialism?

• To find new markets to sell products into

• Social Darwinism

• To show the world the US is a superpower

• American Exceptionalism

• When one nation takes complete control of another country/territory (total political & economic power). May physically occupy the space with military force. Replace an existing government with a new one.

Colonization

Types of Imperialism

Protectorate

Sphere of Influence

• When nation takes on the responsibility of “protecting” another nation (either physical protection using the military or economic “protection” where the protectorate becomes dependent on the imperial nation.)

• The nations/territories that one country has some sort of control over (economic, political, social/cultural, military)

Multiple Choice

Until the 1950s, the US and Cuba has a close relationship where the US claimed to help Cuba and protect it, but also gained a lot of economic advantages. The US never owed Cuba. What best describes the type of imperialism?

• Protectorate

• Sphere of Influence

• Colony

• Social Darwinism

Multiple Choice

Before the American Revolution- the relationship between the US and Britain is best described as...

• Protectorate

• Colonization

• Sphere of Influence

• Political allies

• US expands its borders

• US becomes a major world player

• US engages in wars and conflict with many European nations.

Political

Effects of US imperialism

Social

Economic

• The US becomes more diverse while trying to assimilate other cultures to the US

• Assimilation: Make another group act like your group

• US becomes one of the most industrialized and wealthiest nations

• Disparities between the rich and poor grow (like we saw in the gilded age)

Open Ended

Do you think that imperialism is good or bad?

Timeline of US Imperialism (1783- 1911)

The US officially gains independence from Britain.

The US controls all land East of the Mississippi River.

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Treaty of Paris 1783

The US bought the Louisiana Territory from France & doubled the size of US land

Showed a desire for imperialism/expansion/power.
US mistreated people living in land the US wants.

Louisiana Purchase

US bought Florida from Spain.

Fewer disputes with Spain/US now controlled modern day East Coast

Adams-Onis Treaty

A message to European nations that they are no longer to colonize land in the Western Hemisphere

Showed the US has (or at least wants to project) power

Monroe Doctrine

Texas won independence from Mexico, was an independent nation for 9 years, then taken over by US

Showed the US is willing to go to war with another country over land

Annexation of Texas

US buys Northwestern states from Britain avoiding a war with Great Britain and expanding the US

US willing to use hard power (threat of force) against Britain (strongest army in the world)

Oregon Treaty

US got southwestern states from Mexico after the Mexican-American War

The US used hard power (force) to get land (imperialize)

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

US bought land from Mexico

US built transcontinental RR to connect all of the US

Gadsden Purchase

Open Ended

Explain why.

-US bought Alaska from Russia & people thought it was a huge mistake

​-The US has access to Alaska’s oil reserves, timber, other natural resources

Seward's Folly

-US fought Spain to “free” Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, The Philippines

-The US defeated Spain & the rest of the world sees the US as powerful nation/ world power

Spanish-American War

-US Secretary of State sent a letter to European nations that stated that no nation could imperialize China (US had helped suppress the Boxer Rebellion)

-The US has soft power influence over other major world powers

Open Door Policy

-US helps fund/fight a revolution in Colombia to get Panama independence, then builds a canal through Panama to make trade easier/cheaper/quicker

-US begins to intervene in civil conflicts in other countries/ the US has shown military strength/ capabilities that other world leaders did not have.

Panamania Rev/ Panama Canal