why did america join the imperialistic club at the end of the 19 th century? the imperialists great...
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Why did America join the Imperialistic Club at the end of the 19th Century?
Why did America join the Imperialistic Club at the end of the 19th Century?
The Imperialists
Great Britain
France
BelgiumUSA??
Germany
Japan
Growth of ImperialismGrowth of Imperialism
By 1890, the United States was eager to join the competition for new territory. Supporters of expansion denied that the United States sought to annex foreign lands. Yet annexation did take place.
1. Economic Reasons1. Economic Reasons
American farmers had produced a surplus of goods
Needed new markets to sell stuff
Needed raw materials for factories
……………..Solution= foreign trade
2.Military Reasons 2.Military Reasons
Wanted to build up American navy
Defend peacetime shipping lanes
Needed to establish naval bases in Pacific and
CaribbeanU.S. became 3rd largest
naval power
Alfred T MahanAlfred T Mahan
*Urged the building of a stronger navy with bases in Hawaii, Cuba and the Philippines
*Also urged building a canal across Central America for faster shipping
*”The Influence of Sea Power on History”
3.Nationalistic 3.Nationalistic • Some Americans believed the
philosophy of Social Darwinism (survival of fittest) some nations were superior to others
• Manifest Destiny- must continue expansion
• racial superiority to justify imperialism God was training the Anglo-Saxon raceIt was our moral duty to spread our culture to others
4.Humanitarian 4.Humanitarian
•Educated, religious, political believed it was our duty to spread our civilization….
• Law, medicine, religion
The Fruits of Imperialism
The Fruits of Imperialism
Expanding U.S. InterestsExpanding U.S. Interests
• United States declared itself neutral in European wars
• warned other nations to stay out of the Western Hemisphere.
• Doctrine was interpreted to mean a more active role to protect the interests of the United States.
The Monroe Doctrine
Chapter 17, Section 1
Arguments for U.S. ExpansionArguments for U.S. Expansion
• Needed new markets in other countries.Promoting Economic Growth
• navy with bases around the world would protect U.S. Interests..
Protecting American Security
• Spreading Christianity was a noble pursuit.Preserving American Spirit
Alaska- a mistake?Alaska- a mistake?
Many American’s thought it was foolish for the US to buy ($7.2 million) Alaska from Russia- too far away and unknown “Seward’s Folly” “Seward’s Icebox”
1896- Gold was discovered in the Klondike Region
Alaska turned out to be so profitable that many felt we should search for new lands across the seas