Imperialism: America Looks Abroad Ch. 12 Section 1 US in the late 1800s Late 1800s- US emerging from focus on Reconstruction era Late 1800s- US emerging from focus on Reconstruction era Begin to renew quest for Manifest Destiny & expand beyond continental borders Begin to renew quest for Manifest Destiny & expand beyond continental borders Americans begin to support expansion: 1. desire to be a world power 1. desire to be a world power 2. Feelings of cultural superiority 2. Feelings of cultural superiority Acquisition of Alaska Sec. of State William Seward arranges to buy Alaska in Sec. of State William Seward arranges to buy Alaska in Russia willing to sell it for less than 2 cents an acre. Russia willing to sell it for less than 2 cents an acre. US pays $7.2 million US pays $7.2 million Congress took 4 months to approve the transaction. Congress took 4 months to approve the transaction. Labeled Seward's Folly Labeled Seward's Folly Did we really need Alaska? Imperialism vs. Isolationism Imperialism: the economic and political domination of a strong nation over other weaker nations Imperialism: the economic and political domination of a strong nation over other weaker nations Isolationism: Separation of the political affairs of other countries Isolationism: Separation of the political affairs of other countries Need for New Markets 1800s- industrialized countries had placed high tariffs against each other 1800s- industrialized countries had placed high tariffs against each other Result: nations begin searching for overseas markets to sell products Result: nations begin searching for overseas markets to sell products European nations begin to exert control over their new markets European nations begin to exert control over their new markets Protectorate: imperial power gives advice and protection in exchange for stable market Protectorate: imperial power gives advice and protection in exchange for stable market Im American and better than you Americans buy into idea of Social Darwinism Americans buy into idea of Social Darwinism Social Darwinism: nations compete against each other (politics, military, economy) Social Darwinism: nations compete against each other (politics, military, economy) - only the strong survive - only the strong survive Used to justify American expansion Used to justify American expansion Anglo Saxonism Anglo Saxonism: English-speaking nations have superior character, ideas, and governments = destine to dominate planet Anglo Saxonism: English-speaking nations have superior character, ideas, and governments = destine to dominate planet Idea is supported by American historian John Fiske and minister Josiah Strong Idea is supported by American historian John Fiske and minister Josiah Strong Strong links religious missionary work to the idea Strong links religious missionary work to the idea Expansion into the Pacific Americans had been making treks to East Asian markets since early 1800s Americans had been making treks to East Asian markets since early 1800s US wants to create trade with China & Japan US wants to create trade with China & Japan Problem: Japanese rulers believe excessive contact with West = destruction of their culture Problem: Japanese rulers believe excessive contact with West = destruction of their culture Perry opens Japan 1852: President Franklin Pierce orders Commodore Matthew Perry to take a naval ships to negotiate a treaty with Japan 1852: President Franklin Pierce orders Commodore Matthew Perry to take a naval ships to negotiate a treaty with Japan July 8, 1853: Perry arrives in Tokyo Bay with four American war ships July 8, 1853: Perry arrives in Tokyo Bay with four American war ships Japanese: impressed by technology & firepower decide to sign trade agreement Japanese: impressed by technology & firepower decide to sign trade agreement Signal to Japan to modernize Signal to Japan to modernize Hawaii Hawaii becomes point of interest- good stopping place on Pacific journey Hawaii becomes point of interest- good stopping place on Pacific journey American settlers begin growing sugarcane American settlers begin growing sugarcane US creates treaty and mounts pressure on Hawaiians for greater control US creates treaty and mounts pressure on Hawaiians for greater control Queen Liliuokalani fights American influence but is overthrown Queen Liliuokalani fights American influence but is overthrown Result: US annexes Hawaii in Result: US annexes Hawaii in 1898. Latin America Expansion Pan-Americanism: idea that US and Latin American nations should work together Pan-Americanism: idea that US and Latin American nations should work together Latin American nations had bought most of their goods from Europe Latin American nations had bought most of their goods from Europe US hopes to have an advantage in Latin American due to the Monroe Doctrine US hopes to have an advantage in Latin American due to the Monroe Doctrine Monroe Doctrine had stated that Americas are closed to future European Colonization. Monroe Doctrine had stated that Americas are closed to future European Colonization. A Stronger Navy International incidents= need to strengthen navy International incidents= need to strengthen navy 1890-Capt. Alfred Mahan wrote about the power of expanding navies and the need for new naval bases 1890-Capt. Alfred Mahan wrote about the power of expanding navies and the need for new naval bases US had only 3 modern ships. US had only 3 modern ships. Congress passes a law for 4 new ships in 1890 and 15 more by Congress passes a law for 4 new ships in 1890 and 15 more by 1895. Original King of Imperialism In 1909 the British Empire encompassed 20% of the land area of the Earth In 1909 the British Empire encompassed 20% of the land area of the Earth Led to the phrase The sun never sets on the British empire Led to the phrase The sun never sets on the British empire Can the United States be considered an imperial empire? Can the United States be considered an imperial empire? The sun never sets on McDonalds Over 34,000 restaurants worldwide Over 34,000 restaurants worldwide More than 119 countries on six continents More than 119 countries on six continents McDonalds in Kuwait