Imperialism Lesson & Questions

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.