THE AGE OF IMPERIALISMChapter 23

• ISOLATIONIST - someone who believes a country should stay out of foreign affairs except in self defense

• Isolation was the prevailing political view before the 1880’s

• Americans were focused on Manifest Destiny and extending the country to the Pacific

• We had no interest in colonies or foreign affairs

• IMPERIALISM - policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, and military control over weaker countries.

• After the 1880’s U.S leaders believed we should establish colonies around the world

• By 1900 a majority of Americans agreed with Imperialism

FACTORS OF IMPERIALISM

1. Economic Interests

• expansion would increase financial prosperity (make the economy stronger)

• colonies = cheap natural resources = new markets for U.S. goods

2. Military Power

• new bases would establish U.S. presence around the world

• protect shipping and new colonies

3. Cultural Superiority

• believed our gov’t, religion, race were superior to others

• it was our duty to uplift the less fortunate by spreading democracy capitalism, christianity

ALASKA

• Sec. of State William Seward purchases Alaska from Russia in 1867

• Hoped to establish military bases on southern islands

• “Seward’s Folly” - believed to be a frozen wasteland but turns into a major bargain - fish, gold, oil and other resources

Hawaii

•Pearl Harbor naval base established 1887

•American sugar planters stage revolt against Queen Liluokalani in 1893 with help from U.S. marines

•Annexed in 1898 as a U.S. territory

•Annex - to make part of your own, sometimes w/out consent