US Imperialism

1853-1904

The Pressure to Expand

Imperialism occurs when strong nations create empires by dominating weak nations

economically, politically, or militarily.

Why do nations embrace imperialism?

1. Economics ($$$) - Sell what you don’t consume and make money.

2. Nationalism - promoting your nation, competition with others.

3. Militarism - for national defense, refueling and supply bases.

4. Humanitarianism - Helping poorer people, missionary efforts.

How could we justify expansion?

1. Missionary efforts.

2. Social Darwinism. (strong societies take over weak ones)

3. Profit.

4. Taking civilization to the uneducated “backward” peoples

Improved communication and transportation helped them extend

their territories to far lands

Europe Leads the Way

British Empire

In 1853, Commodore

Matthew Perry sailed an

American fleet into Tokyo Bay to forcibly open

Japanese markets.

In 1866, the French put a king on the

“throne” of Mexico. We sent an army to

Mexico to help them realize the error of

their ways. Maximillian I was

gone within months. Maximillian I

America purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, increasing the size of the US considerably.

I live in Alaska,

too!

Now that we were trying to increase our influence

and land, we needed refueling and

repair stations for ships.

In 1867, we annexed the uninhabited Midway Island in the

Pacific Ocean to help ships get across the ocean.

European countries had

already carved up Africa by 1898 and the

USA was feeling left out.

US businesses dominated the economies of Guatemala, Costa Rico, and Honduras. Most of their exports made money for American owners. These were called Banana Republics.

When America was producing goods in other countries and selling goods, Alfred

Thayer Mahan’s idea of building a

new modern navy to protect trade

seemed reasonable.

This Navy was used to get us out of trouble and let us get our way. This is called Gunboat Diplomacy.

By 1900, the US had one of the most powerful navies in the world, with new battleships,

torpedo boats, cruisers, and gunboats .

Why did we consider the Pacific Islands, Caribbean Islands, and

South America “ours”?

1. Monroe Doctrine.

2. Profit.

3. They have Africa.

4. Our Navy rocks!

Teaching the lesson...

US wanted to join in gaining new territories, but denied the desire to annex (join a new territory to an existing country) foreign lands

Economic Growth

• many Americans felt expansion was necessary to support the economy

• we needed markets for our products

• some businesses invested in foreign economies

Banana Republics

Central American nations dominated

by American business companies, such as the United

Fruit Company

Naval Growth

The US needed a powerful Navy in order to protect markets from foreign rivals

Congress authorized the building of cruisers, battleships, gunboats, torpedo

boats, including the USS Maine.

By 1900, the US had one of the most powerful navies in the world

Social Darwinism

• pushed for territorial expansion of the US.

• believed that Anglo-Saxon and Teutonic peoples were superior to the societies they conquered

• Most Americans decided they wanted new markets abroad and favorable trade relations with foreign countries

• They were unaware of the political and military implications of such a desire