Imperialism Imperialism OverviewOverview

Move towards ImperialismMove towards Imperialism

Imperialism AgeImperialism Age

• 1867-1907 (mid 1800s - early 1900s)

• Period where the US

–Acquired more land

–Expanded influence and power

–Became involved in affairs of other countries

–Isolationism >>> imperialism

Purpose of LessonPurpose of Lesson

A: Understand factors which pushed the shift from

isolationism to imperialist

B: Examine views & ideas supporting imperialism

A: FactorsA: Factors

1.Westward expansion ending

2. Industrial boom3.Other Nations Imperialize 4.Military Strength5.Cultural Superiority

1846 BritishTreaty

1803 FrenchTreaty

1819 Spanish Treaty

1848 Mexican Treaty

1867

1. Westward Expansion Ending1. Westward Expansion Ending

• Late 1800s America achieves Manifest Destiny

• 1890 Census reveals–Frontier region no longer existed –Stop tracking of westward

migration• Limited land and resources

Frederick Jackson Turner

The Significance of the Frontier in American History

2. Industrial Boom2. Industrial Boom

• Industrial Age (late 1800s)

–Technology speeds up production

–More goods

• Problems that arise due to “boom”

–Limited raw materials

–Not enough customers

• Imperialists solution is foreign trade

3. Other Nations Imperialize3. Other Nations Imperialize• European nations (late 1800s)

–Divided up Africa–Competing for Asia

• China main target• Japan joins fight for

China• Prompts US to look at

expansion overseas

Before

After

4. Military Strength4. Military Strength

• Other nations establishing military presence

• Pushes U.S. to strengthen naval power to compete w/other nations

–Built battleship

–Became world naval power

Alfred T. Mahan

The Interest of America in Sea Power, 1897

5. Cultural Superiority5. Cultural Superiority

• Social Darwinism applied to imperialism ideas

• Certain race better than others

5. Cultural Superiority5. Cultural Superiority

• U.S. as “superior” race has responsibility

–Christianize

& Civilize –“inferior people”

Rev. Josiah Strong

Our Country

Rudyard Kipling

The White Man’s Burden

A). The Significance of the Frontier in American History

1. What is the significance of the “frontier”?

2. What is the significance of the last sentence?

3. How does the last sentence relate to imperialism?

Class ActivityClass Activity

• Groups of 3

• 4 primary documents w/questions