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