Early American Imperialism

1. Early American Imperialism

2. U.S. Overseas Intervention1850-1860 1852-1853 – Argentina • troops landed during revolution 1853 – Nicaragua • protection of Americans during political instability 1853-1854 – Japan • Commodore Perry’s expedition to force opening of Japanese ports to U.S. ships • secure commercial facilities

3. U.S. Overseas Intervention1850-1860 1854 – Nicaragua • San Juan del Norte destroyed to avenge insult of American Minister to Nicaragua 1855 – Uruguay • naval forces land to protect American interests during attempted revolution 1859 – China • American intervention to protect American interests in Shanghai

4. U.S. Overseas Intervention1850-1895 1860 – Angola • protection of American lives and property in Kissembo during native protests (Why such a large gap between interventions?!?) 1893 – Hawaii • support for a revolt by White, American pineapple and sugar planters – led by Sanford Dole – to overthrow the monarch

5. …would we be the kind of nation that takes over other people’s land and controls it? In 1898 the U.S. entered into the Spanish –American War, and upon our success had to make a decision…

6. Support for Imperialism

7. I. Economic A. Industrialization 1. need for new markets due to overproduction 2. desire for raw materials/natural resources B. Competition with European nations 1. Africa & Asia were the targets

9. “The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire…” By 1900, Britain controlled one-quarter of the world’s land and people.

12. I. Political A. Desire to “join the ranks of the world’s major powers” B. “Race for land” C. highlight military strength 1. jingoism ~ extreme and emotional nationalism characterized by aggressive foreign policy 2. Alfred Thayer Mahan

14. The Influence of Sea Power on History~ Alfred Thayer Mahan Claimed U.S. needed: • naval base in Caribbean • “Base of operations” in the Pacific • islands in the Pacific for refueling • Modern naval fleet • Construct a canal across Central America

15. I. Social A. feelings superiority & racism 1. Social Darwinism 2. Manifest Destiny 3. “White Man’s Burden” ~ Kipling B. Closing of the frontier 1. need a “safety valve” to avoid social unrest at home C. Fashionable ~ “The thing to do!”

16. “White Man’s Burden”~ Rudyard Kipling Take up the White Man’s burden- Send forth the best ye breed – Go, bind your sons to exile To serve your captives’ need; To wait, in heavy harness, On fluttered folk and wild – Your new-caught sullen peoples, Half devil and half child.

17. “White Man’s Burden”~ Kipling • Eurocentric view of the world • non-European cultures are seen as childlike • condescending view of non-Western national culture and economic traditions • whites have an obligation to encourage the cultural development of people from other ethnic and cultural backgrounds until they fully adopt Western ways • rich have a moral duty to help the poor “better” themselves (whether they want the help or not!)

18. What were the arguments of the Anti-Imperialists in America at the turn of the 20th Century?