American Imperialism

Ideas of Expanding

Imperialism: The
policy (plan) of
gaining authority
(power) over other
nations or of
acquiring colonies

Social Darwinism was a
major factor in
imperialism. It was a
popular idea that
technologically advanced
societies should rule over
and control less advanced
societies.

United States Expansion

During the Westward Expansion with ideas like Manifest
Destiny, the United States expanded to cover a big portion of
the North American Continent.

Looking at examples from Europe that was taking over nations
in Asia and Africa; America started to believe that they could
expand to different places overseas as well.

United States Expansion

Reasons: Belief that it will
bring wealth and prestige
(status/reputation) to the
United States. They could
also spread their ideals to the
new places.

Case Study: Alaska

1884, the U.S officially took over or annexed Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million
dollars.

This took place after the Civil war and many people thought it was a foolish
purchase as it is cold in Alaska.

It was later known that Alaska was rich with natural resources, like oil.

Many places the United States annex would be used for their natural resources.

The U.S in the Pacific

The U.S. also started to look into the Pacific Ocean to
open foreign markets for trade and businesses.

1867: The U.S annexed the Midway Islands (a series of
islands that are between America and Asia). Most of the
Midway Islands were used as ports for American ships
that were en route to Asia.

Hawaii

Beginning 19th Century: the Hawaiian
Islands had sugar fields that imported
to the United States.

Many of the sugar planters were
American and moved to the islands.
They force the king of Hawaii to give
them political power.

Hawaii

1891, Queen Liliuokalani came to
power and tried to limit the
powers of the American sugar
planters. Congress also placed
tariffs (taxes) on imports of
Hawaiian sugar. This angered the
planters as well.

Annexation of Hawaii

1893: The American planters, the U.S Marines, and the U.S. Ambassador to
Hawaii staged a revolt and formed their own government.

They asked to be able to takeover Hawaii with President Benjamin
Harrison, but he did not ratified the treaty before leaving office. The Next
president Cleveland, opposed annexation without the support of the
Hawaiian people.

In 1900, The next president after, McKinley, made Hawaii a part of the
territory of the United States.

Besides Hawaii, the Somaon islands were also annex in 1899.