Reaching for an Empire

US Imperialism

Learning Target:We are learning to:

1. Define expansionism (Manifest Destiny) and how the US was affected2. Explain why and how the US was considered an imperialistic nation

We are looking for:a. Manifest Destiny – the idea that the US was a superior nation and had the right to invade, conquer and occupy the North American continent and beyondb. Examples of manifest destiny – acquiring Hawaii, Alaska, and the establishment of the 49th parallel c. The US borders now expanded from the Atlantic to the Pacific

What is Imperialism?

• Imperialism = “the policy of establishing economic, political, and military dominance over weaker nations on humanitarian and moral grounds.”

• In your own words…

What is Expansionism?

• Expansionism = “the policy or process of increasing a nation’s land area by acquiring new territory.”

• In your own words…

What is Manifest Destiny?

• Manifest Destiny = “the belief widely held by Americans in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand across the continent.”

• “The people of the United States felt it was their mission to extend the "boundaries of freedom" to others by imparting their idealism and belief in democratic institutions to those who were capable of self-government.”

• In your own words…

Manifest Destiny

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

• Monroe Doctrine = “further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention.”

• In your own words…

Yellow Journalism

• Yellow Journalism – “a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers.”– Sansationalism– Exaggerations

• In your own words…

Oregon and Washington

• Reasons why the US wanted to Imperialize this location:– Monroe Doctrine – Keep GB out– Manifest Destiny

• From which Nation:– Great Britain

• How did we obtain the land:– We negotiated a compromise on the border at the

49th parallel

49th Parallel

Texas and Territories in California and New Mexico

• Reasons why the US wanted to Imperialize this location:– Manifest Destiny

• From which Nation:– Mexico

• How did we obtain the land:– War with Mexico – 1st we offer $30 million, Mexico

refuses … war for 2 years, US purchases land for $15 million in 1848

Alaska• Reasons why the US wanted to Imperialize this location:

– Monroe Doctrine – Russia out of western hemisphere– Manifest Destiny– Later realize - Economic benefits

• From which Nation:– Russia

• How did we obtain the land:– $7.2 million paid to Russia in 1867 p – Sec. of State Seward negotiates the deal & ridiculed at first …

later learn of natural resources of Alaska

Hawaii• Reasons why the US wanted to Imperialize this location:

– Economic– Military– Racial Superiority

• From which Nation:– Hawaiians

• How did we obtain the land:– Settlers & missionaries … naval base & Pearl Harbor … sugar

planters (Dole fruit as well)… eventually U.S. military surrounds palace and we annex the nation

Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines• Reasons why the US wanted to Imperialize this location:– Military – naval base– Monroe Doctrine – want Spain out– Racial Superiority

• From which Nation:– Spain

• How did we obtain the land:– Spanish-American War – Cuba gains its independence … the

rest the US takes control of b/c we want the trade route and naval bases