Chapter 10
America Claims an Empire,
1890–1920
Global competition prompts the United States to expand its influence
and territory, engage in conflicts around the globe, and build the
Panama Canal.
Isolationism vs. Imperialism
• Isolationism: policy of
abstention from alliances
and other international,
political and economic relations.
–
Isolationists stand alone, do not get involved with
affairs of other nations and have specific reasons for
their non-involvement.
• Imperialism: policy in which
stronger nations extend their
economic, political, or
military control over weaker
territories.
–
It includes exploitation of a weaker nation or territory
for the benefit of another nation and its against the
will of those who are dominated.
Motives for American Imperialism
Beginning in 1867 and continuing through the century, global competition causes the United States to expand.
In 1800s, Europeans divide up most of Africa, compete for China. Japan joins race for China
1. Economic - “Thirst for New
Markets”
–
U.S. needs raw materials,
new markets for goods
•
–
U.S. farms, factories produce more than
Americans can consume
Foreign trade: solution to
overproduction,
unemployment, depression
2.
Military Strength
–
U.S. builds modern battleships and
military bases
•
Admiral Alfred T. Mahan urges U.S. to build
up navy in order to compete = strong nations
have strong navies
–
Book: The Influence of Sea Power upon History
argued that control of the sea was the key to world
dominance
U.S. Navy’s Great White Fleet
3.
American Mission “Cultural
Superiority”
–
Belief that American culture and institutions were
superior, Social Darwinism was applied.
–
Argued the U.S. has a duty to
Christianize, civilize “inferior peoples”
and bring democracy to nonEuropean societies
Debate over Imperialism
• Imperialist – believed it
was necessary for U.S. to
control new territories.
• Anti-Imperialist – did not
believe trade should lead
to domination of another
nation. Violates “SelfDetermination,” the right of a people
to choose a government without outside
interference.
Early Expansion
• Alaska:
– William Seward, Secretary of State under Lincoln,
Johnson
– 1867, arranges purchase of Alaska from
Russia for $7.2 million
•
•
has trouble convincing House to fund purchase
Alaska called “Seward’s Icebox,” “Seward’s Folly”
– Alaska rich in timber, minerals, oil;
becomes state in 1959
• Hawaii:
–
Since 1790s, U.S. merchants stop in Hawaii on way to
China, India
– Mid-1800s, American-owned sugar
plantations 75% of islands’ wealth
– 1898, under President McKinley,
Congress proclaims Hawaii U.S.
territory
Liliuokalani (1838-1917), Hawaiian
queen and last monarch to govern
the islands.
A mining town in Alaska
Left-Side
“United States Takes Hawaii”
Directions:
on pages 344 – 345 [366 – 367] identified what
occurred on the following dates:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1875
1887 (two events)
1890
1891
1897
1898
1959 [p954]
• Take-A-Stand: Was America justified in acquiring Hawaii?
Explain.