CHAPTER 18 SECTION 1-2

Imperialism
• Imperialism is the
quest for colonial
empires
– Great Britain- “The
sun never sets on
the British
Empire”

America’s position
• Expansionism the
need of a nation's
expanding its
territorial base (or
economic
influence) usually,
by means of
military
aggression.
Isolationism - to have little to do with the
political affairs of other nations

African Imperialism
Europe: had colonies for
centuries
Africa prime target in 19th
century
Rich in natural resources,
provided new markets.
Only independent nations in
Africa were Liberia and
Ethiopia

1. Economic Interest1. Economic Interest
U. S. Foreign Investments-
Need for new market
Need for raw materials

2. Military/Strategic Interests2. Military/Strategic Interests
Alfred T.
Mahan- urged
US to build
naval power to
compete with
other nation
Wanted naval
base in Pacific
and Caribbean

3.3. Social Darwinist ThinkingSocial Darwinist Thinking
The Hierarchy
of Race- superiority of Anglo-
Saxon

4. Religious Interest4. Religious Interest
To Christianize and civilize the world

““Seward’s Folly”: 1867Seward’s Folly”: 1867
Propose to Purchse
Alaska from Russia
for $7.2 million
William H.
Seward- Sec. of
State

* Alaska, however,
turned out to be
rich in fish,
gold,
copper,
timber, oil
and coal.
The
Trans-Alaska Pipelin
transports oil,
Alaska's most
important export..
It runs 800 miles,
from the Arctic
Ocean to the Gulf

 US 75% of wealth
from sugar plantations
Plantations owned by
Americans
Strategic location for
a base

Deposing the
Queen
Queen Liliuokalani
wanted to:
end property
qualifications for voting
Restore power to
native Hawaiians

America takes
over
The Americans sugar
growers :
Organized a revolt
Overthrew the
Queen
Sanford Dole became
president of Hawaii

• President Cleveland was an anti-imperialist and refused to
annex Hawaii.
Uncle Sam
and Pres.
Cleveland are
playing chess
with pieces
representing
the U.S.
senators and
Queen
Lili'uokalani .
“His Little Hawaiian Game Checkmated”
Uncle Sam: "Grover this game has been too deep for
you. Every move you've made has been a blunder, and
now you've lost your Black Queen and the game.”

• Hawaii was annexed in
1898 when President
McKinley took office
and became the fiftieth
state in 1959.
“Another Shotgun Wedding”
A woman (Hawaii) and Uncle Sam are
getting married, kneeling before the minister
(Pres. McKinley) who is reading from a
book entitled "Annexation Policy". The
bride seems ready to bolt.

Commodore Matthew PerryCommodore Matthew Perry
Opens Up Japan: 1853Opens Up Japan: 1853
· Fearing the influence of
outsiders, Japan chose to
completely isolate itself from
other nations in the 1600’s.

2. FUEL – to purchase
fuel (coal)
Why did the U.S. want to establish a relationship with Japan?
1. TRADE – to sell U.S.
goods to Japanese
consumers
Reasons:
- Perry arrived with four steam-
powered warships, impressing the
Japanese.

• The Treaty of Kanagawa - U.S. received all of their
demands from the Japanese.
• Perry returned to Japan in 1854 with twice as many ships.
Commodore Perry Meeting the Imperial
Commissioners at Yokohama
Dinner Given to the Japanese Commissioners Aboard the
U.S.S.F. Powhatan

· Japan realized that they needed to become more modern
and industrialized.
Effects on Japan
In 1860, Japan sent their first steam powered warship, the
Kanrin Maru to the United States in order to show the world
that Japan had mastered Western navigation techniques and
ship technologies.

Jingoism
• exaggerated and aggressive
national pride, more warlike

The Imperialist TailorThe Imperialist Tailor

Spanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in Cuba

General Valeriano Weyler – Spanish governor of Cuba used
brutal tactics against the Cubans. He was responsible for
detaining over 500,000 Cubans and killing over 100,000.
* Americans sympathized
with the Cuban desire for
freedom.

· President McKinley sent the battleship Maine to Cuba to
protect American citizens and property.
· US citizens
owns sugar
plantations in
Cuba

· An explosion destroyed the Maine killing 260 U.S. sailors.

““Yellow Journalism”Yellow Journalism”
Joseph Pulitzer
William Randolph Hearst
An exaggerated
headlines or stories in
the newspapers
· Joseph Pulitzer once
stated, “You supply me the
photos, I’ll supply you the
war.”
• “Remember the
Maine! To hell
with Spain!”

- President McKinley, however, wanted to avoid war with
Spain.

· Spain was accused of destroying the Maine, even though it
has never been proven.
· On April 25, 1898,
Congress declare War on
Spain

The Spanish-American War (1898):The Spanish-American War (1898):
“That Splendid Little War”“That Splendid Little War”
Fighting starts in
Philippines- major
Spanish fleet
located

U.S. soldiers in a trench near Manila, the Philippines,
during the Spanish – American War. (1898)

· Commodore George
Dewey defeated the
Spanish navy in the
Philippines after only six
hours of battle.
Spanish-American
War (1898)
The Philippines
Commodore George Dewey
(1837-1917)

Commodore George DeweyCommodore George Dewey
Destroy the Spanish fleet in Manila BayDestroy the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay

US – attack in the Caribbean IslandUS – attack in the Caribbean Island
US-
Invaded
Cuba

TheThe
“Rough“Rough
Riders”Riders”
Led byLed by
TheodoreTheodore
RooseveltRoosevelt

Rough Riders
• What famous Battle did they participate in?
•San Juan Hill-
ended Spanish rule
in Cuba

Results
•US defeats Spain &
becomes a world
power
•US must decide
what to do about its
newly won colonies
(Phillipines, Puerto
Rico, and Cuba,
Guam)