Imperialism & AmericaImperialism & America

Chapter 18 Section 1Chapter 18 Section 1

Age of ImperialismAge of Imperialism

Late 1800s to early 1900sLate 1800s to early 1900s Definition: Policy of extending economic, Definition: Policy of extending economic,

political, or military control over weaker political, or military control over weaker territoriesterritories

European nations divide up Africa, ChinaEuropean nations divide up Africa, China US decides to expandUS decides to expand

Reasons for US ExpansionReasons for US Expansion

Desire for Military StrengthDesire for Military Strength Admiral Mahan urges US to expand navyAdmiral Mahan urges US to expand navy

Desire for New MarketsDesire for New Markets US farms & factories produce excess goods – US farms & factories produce excess goods –

we need to sell overseaswe need to sell overseas We need raw materialsWe need raw materials

Belief in Cultural SuperiorityBelief in Cultural Superiority Social Darwinism, belief in superiority of Social Darwinism, belief in superiority of

Anglo-Saxons, US has duty to “civilize” othersAnglo-Saxons, US has duty to “civilize” others

AlaskaAlaska

William Seward William Seward arranges purchase arranges purchase from Russia in 1867from Russia in 1867 $7.2 million$7.2 million Many oppose: Many oppose:

“Seward’s Folly,” “Seward’s Folly,” “Seward’s Icebox”“Seward’s Icebox”

HawaiiHawaii Way station to China, site of missionary Way station to China, site of missionary

workwork 1830s: Americans begin creating sugar 1830s: Americans begin creating sugar

plantationsplantations By mid 1800s: Americans own 75% of By mid 1800s: Americans own 75% of

wealth wealth 1887: US pressures Hawaii to set up a 1887: US pressures Hawaii to set up a

naval base at Pearl Harbornaval base at Pearl Harbor

1890: McKinley Tariff puts a tax 1890: McKinley Tariff puts a tax on Hawaiian sugaron Hawaiian sugar

Planters organize a revolution & Planters organize a revolution & overthrow the queenoverthrow the queen

American Sanford Dole sets up American Sanford Dole sets up a government & asks to part of a government & asks to part of USUS

1898: Hawaii becomes an 1898: Hawaii becomes an American TerritoryAmerican Territory