The Roots of Imperialism

1. The Roots of Imperialism Chapter 14, Section 1

2. The Causes of Imperialism- Economic • Countries seek to acquire resources that they do not produce in their own country. • These resources could include tea, rubber , iron, petroleum and other manufactured goods. • These weaker countries acted as extractive economies for the stronger countries– ones they could take resources from as needed. • The United States had the opposite problem– too many goods and not enough people to sell to. • The U.S. looked to expand markets to relieve surpluses.

3. Causes of Imperialism- Military • Alfred T. Mahan was a military historian who had served in the U.S. Navy. • He wrote a book called The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, which discussed the need for countries to have strong navies to maintain power. • This led the U.S. to construct steel-plated battleships, and eventually the largest navy in the world.

4. Causes of Imperialism- National Superiority • Social Darwinists believed the strong members of a society should remain to uphold the best qualities of a society. • They believed this applied to countries as well– “white man’s burden” to rule over weaker countries. • Frederick Jackson Turner believed that the frontier had acted as a safety valve for the U.S. • People could go into the wilderness to avoid conflict.

5. America’s First Step Towards World Power • Commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay, Japan in 1853. • The Japanese were in awe of Perry’s fleet and gave him many gifts. • This allowed Perry to establish a trade network with Japan– the first western power to do so. • It set the model for establishing trade with other Pacific countries. • Alaska was acquired in 1867 for $7.2 million from Russia. • No one thought it had any viable resources, so they mocked William Seward for buying it. • It did double the size of the U.S.

6. The United States Acquires Hawaii • Hawaii acted as a nice stopping point for ships going to Asia. • The islands had resources such as sugarcane and bananas, so wealthy Americans established plantations. • The local planters resented the new ruler– Queen Liliuokalani when she came to power in 1891. • The U.S. government backed a rebellion ousting her in 1893. • Wealthy planter, Sanford B. Dole, took over as leader in Hawaii. • Hawaii was annexed by the U.S. in 1898, at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

7. The Spanish-American War Chapter 14, Section 2

8. The Causes of the War • American businessmen coveted Cuban sugar plantations. • When Jose Marti led a revolution against Spain, the businessmen backed him to ensure trade was maintained. • Newspaper publishers stretched the happenings in Cuba to attract readers– known as Yellow Press. • Yellow Press sensationalized events to make Americans more sympathetic. • When the U.S.S. Maine exploded, there was a rush to blame Spain, fueled by American nationalism. • The cause was found to be an engine explosion, instead.

9. Fighting During the War • The Philippines and Cuba were both ruled by the Spanish. • Commodore George Dewey’s fleet attacked the Spanish by sea, while Filipino freedom fighter, Emilio Aguinaldo, led a group that employed guerilla warfare. • Before openly supporting Cuba, the U.S. agreed not to annex Cuba after the warunder the Teller Amendment. • Theodore Roosevelt led a voluntary cavalry unit known as the Rough Riders. They were credited with the taking of the strategic location of San Juan Hill, along with African American units.

10. Effects of the War • After the war, the U.S. and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris. These were the stipulations: • Spain would give up control of Puerto Rico, Guam and Cuba; • The U.S. acquired the Philippines from Spain for $20 million • (to annex or not???) • America’s new role as a world power was not shared by all. • The debate over the Philippines separated the U.S. into two factions: imperialists and anti-imperialists. • The treaty (as it stood) was ratified by 1 vote in the Senate.

11. Review Today’s Topics • Why did the U.S. want to expand its trade overseas? • To control other countries’ religions • To relieve the surpluses of U.S. manufactured goods • To promote American nationalism • To find a cheap source of labor. • Who wrote An Influence of Sea Power Upon History? • Frederick Turner • Charles Darwin • Alfred Mahan • Emilio Aguinaldo

12. Review Today’s Topics • The U.S. agreed not to annex Cuba in what document? • Platt Amendment • Treaty of Paris (1898) • Teller Amendment • Open Door Policy • Who led the charge up San Juan Hill? • Teddy Roosevelt • Jose Marti • Emilio Aguinaldo • Frederick Turner

13. Ticket-Out-The-Door • Was American imperialism justified? Why or why not?