Turn of the Century imperialism 1877-1914

Ms. Jerome

Map of the World in 1914

Imperialism:

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

1861-1865

Why Imperialism?

Why do you think America sought options abroad at the turn of the century?

1. Commercial/Business Interest— overseas markets Exporting manufactured goods Exporting agricultural products Expand or explode! Booming increase of population,

wealth, industrial production

1. Continued

America’s GDP—the total value of goods and services—quadrupled between 1870 and 1900.

American farmers: Farmers depended on supply and

demand Farmers always needed their products to

be in demand Foreign markets would supply constant

buyers to American surplus

2. Military/Strategic Interests With imperialism comes power America sought to locate forces

around the world—extend beyond borders for military reasons

3. Social Darwinist Thinking

A hierarchy of race

4. Religious/Missionary Intentions To spread religion. “Christianize” heathens “Civilized” Christian cultures spread their

way of life to “lesser” cultures Early advocate: Reverend Josiah Strong

(pictured) An attempt to mute criticism of the

economic motives behind the adoption of an imperialist policy

Noneconomic justification for expansion

5. Closing the American Frontier Frederick Jackson Turner “The Significance of the Frontier in

American History” (1920) Turner’s belief that territorial

expansion promotes social, economic, and political stability.

Notes on American Territorial Acquisitions

before the Spanish-American War

Hawaii

Hawaii

An independent nation Sugarcane attracted American

planters 1875 Treaty—gave Hawaii sugar

duty-free entry into the American market Declared the island off limits to the other

powers 1887 treaty—gave U.S. naval rights at

Pearl Harbor

Hawaii cont’d

The McKinley Tariff of 1890 increased average tariff rate for imports to the U.S. at 48.4%-- tariffs protect manufacturing.

However, it also abruptly ended Hawaii’s access to American market$

Sugar planters began to plot an American takeover of the islands so that Hawaiian sugar would be treated as a domestic product.

Hawaii

January, 1893: Led a coup over the kingdom of Hawaii

July 6, 1898, after approval from the House and Senate, Hawaii as a U.S. territory.

Alaska

1867 the U.S. purchased Alaska from Imperial Russia for 7.2 million $$$ CHEAP!

Russia—anxious to unload baron wasteland

Secretary of State Seward (an expansionist) “Seward’s Folly”

What does Alaska give the U.S.