U.S. Pursues a Policy of Imperialism Lesson

Chapter 13: American as a World Power

Section 2: Seeking New Frontiers

Main Ideas:

• The United States ended its policy of isolationism.

• Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898.

• The United States sought trade with Japan and China.

• In the last half of the 1800s, the United States joined the race for control of overseas territories.

​Vocabulary

isolationism

expansionism

imperialism

communication

vision

icebox

provisional government

consult

spheres of influence

End of Isolation

• Western nations began building naval bases to protect their shipping routes around the world.

• Imperialism- building an empire by founding colonies or conquering other nations.

• Between 1870-1914, Europeans extended their colonial empires until they controlled most of Africa and Southeast Asia.

Roots of Imperialism

• Countries wanted more sources of raw materials to support industrial growth.

• Business people wanted new markets for their manufactured goods.

• Europeans saw colonies as a source of power and national pride.

Roots of Imperialism

• United States followed isolationism: avoiding involvement in the affairs of other countries.

• By the late 1800s some believed the US needed to expand to keep its economy strong.

• 1889 - Secretary of State James G. Blaine invited Latin American leaders to attend a conference in Washington D.C.

• Pan-American Union promoted cooperation among member nations.

Roots of Imperialism

• The Influence of Sea Power upon History book by Alfred T. Mahan argued that the US needed a strong navy to protect its economic interests.

• Mahan also stated we needed strong navy bases overseas and coaling stations for ships refuel.

Seward's Icebox

• 1867: The US greatly expanded its North American territory when Secretary of State William H. Seward arranged the purchase of Alaska from Russian for $7.2 million.

• Some called this "Seward's Folly" because they believed Alaska to be a frozen wasteland.

• Purchased for 2 cents and acre.

• Became a valuable resource for natural resources.

• US annexed the Midway Islands and the island group of Samoa.

Hawaii Becomes a Territory

• American missionaries attempted to convert Hawaiians to Christianity, they opened business and raised crops such as sugarcane.

• 1875: Treaty allowed Hawaiian sugar to be shipped duty-free to the U.S.

• This treaty helped the Hawaiian sugar industry prosper.

Hawaii Becomes a Territory

• By the 1840s most shops and shipyards in Hawaii were owned by Americans.

• Sugar became a leading export of the Hawaiian economy.

• Planters used their power to force the Hawaiian king to sign a new constitution - Bayonet Constitution.

• The constitution granted more power to the planter-controlled legislature.

Hawaii Becomes a Territory

• In 1891 the king died and his sister Liliuokalani became queen.

• Liliuokalani proposed a new constitution that would restore power to the monarchy.

• Planters revolted and the U.S. minister to Hawaii, John Steven, called 150 marines ashore to support the revolt.

• Planters formed a new government and Congress voted to annex the Hawaiian Islands in 1898.

Queen Lili‘uokalani

United States Seeks Trade with Japan and China

• The United States wanted to open and secure trade markets in both Asian countries.

Opening Trade with Japan

• By the mid-1800s European powers had formed strong trade ties with most East Asian countries.

• Japan isolated itself from the rest of the world.

• United States wanted to open trade with Japan before other European nations could.

• 1853:President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to secure a peaceful alliance with Japan, this was unsuccessful.

Opening Trade with Japan

• 1854: Perry returned to Japan with 7 warships.

• Perry gave Japanese leaders gifts and tried to show possible benefits of Japanese-American trade.

• The presence of the U.S. naval power helped persuade Japanese officials to open trade with the U.S.

• A trade agreement was signed in 1858.

Opening Trade with Japan

• Some Japanese leaders welcomed trade with the U.S. to gain knowledge about industrialization.

• Japanese began a 40 year period of modernization.

• By 1890s Japan became an imperial power defeating China in the Sino-Japanese War resulting in new territories and the same trading privileges as China in other European countries.

Opening Trade with Japan

• 1904: Japan attacked Russian forces stationed in China.

• Theodore Roosevelt helped negotiate a peace treaty to end the Russo-Japanese War.

• 1910: Japan gained control of Korea, a lease on Port Arthur in China and other rights.

• Japan was now a world power.

Foreign Powers in China

• After Japan defeated China other countries began taking advantage of their weakness.

• Spheres of Influence - areas where foreign nations controlled resources.

• Germany, Great Britain, France, Japan, and Russia all took control of areas within China.

• American leaders feared they would miss out on Chinese markets.

Foreign Powers in China

• 1899: Secretary of State John Hay sent notes to Japan and many European countries announcing the Open Door Policy.

• Open Door Policy: stated that all nations should have equal access to trade in China.

• Policy was neither rejected or accepted by European powers and Japan.

The Boxer Rebellion

• Chinese resented the power and control held by foreign nations.

• Boxer Rebellion - Boxers were Chinese nationalists who were angered by foreign involvement in China.

• Fists of the Righteous Harmony took to the streets in June 1900 in Beijing and laid siege to the walled settlement where foreigners lived.

• More than 200 people were killed.

The Boxer Rebellion

• Siege lasted for over 2 months.

• Foreign military forces helped defeat the forces.

• China was forced to make a cash payment of $333 million to foreign governments, $25 million went to the U.S.

• John Hay sent another Open Door not to Japan and other Europeans nations.

• The Open Door Policy remained in effect until WWII closed China's borders to foreign influence.