U.S. Imperialism
Isolationism to Imperialism
isolationism – avoiding involvement in
the affairs of other nations
 imperialism – practice of extending a
nation’s power by gaining territories for a
colonial empire
 Britain, France, Germany, Italy, & Russia
 all had empires
 U.S. started wanting to expand U.S.
economy through foreign trade; i.e. Hawaii
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Open Door Policy
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Japan defeated China;
China = weak
policy = All nations
should have equal
access to trade with
China to make profits of
their land
Boxer Rebellion –
Chinese resented this
and rebelled; 200 + killed;
foreign military defeated
the Boxers
Spanish-American War
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Cuba rebelled against Spanish imperialism
U.S. trade with Cuba suffering & Americans felt
sympathetic to their cause (American Revolution)
yellow journalism – the American press critical of
the Spanish; they exaggerated stories to attract
readers; i.e. William Randolph Hearst & Joseph
Pullitzer
USS Maine – exploded or bombed?  led to war
with Spain (ex. of yellow journalism)
Teddy’s soldiers = Rough Riders (specialized
group)
Yellow Journalism
journalism that features scandalmongering, sensationalism,
embellishments = unprofessional activity
 exaggerating to sell more newspapers
 articles that sensationalized war & swayed
public opinion
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Rough Riders
volunteer cavalry (horse-back soldiers)
raised for the Spanish American War
 Assault on Santiago & Kettle Hill & San
Juan Hill – defining battle to dominate
Cuba
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Fighting for the Ocean Islands
War in Cuba! (1898) Spain defeated.
 Result = Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba,
Philippines in U.S. Control: U.S.
imperialism (didn’t like it; war followed)
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Fought for their own independence, LOST
Panama Canal – link Pacific & Atlantic;
6,000 lives lost; built by the France & U.S.
Hawaii
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perfect spot for coaling stations and naval bases
in Pacific Ocean (i.e. Pearl Harbor)
In late 1800’s, America wants it… the Hawaiian
League (American businessmen’s secret group)
created to overthrow the Hawaiian monarch 
the bayonet constitution = king held at gunpoint
to give in to American demands
American planters overthrew Queen Lilioukalani
In 1898, America annexed Hawaii (as a
territory); in 1959, Hawaii became a state
SUMMARY
QUIZ TIME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
TYUdnbTgfrg
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1. What is the practice of acquiring
territories to gain an empire called?
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2. The U.S. presence in China was made
possible because of what policy?
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3. What incident led to America’s
involvement in Cuba, fighting off Spanish
colonialism?
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4. What is the practice of exaggerating
news stories to sell papers called?
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5. What war was a result of the SpanishAmerican War where the locals were
fighting off American imperialism?
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6. How did the U.S. gain the islands of
Hawaii?