Reasons for Expansion

Closing of the Frontier

Closing of the Frontier

By 1890 most of the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean was settled. For a country whose history relied on their being a frontier, this was an important event and begged the question….

By 1890 most of the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean was settled. For a country whose history relied on their being a frontier, this was an important event and begged the question….

What next?What next?

Isn’t there more?Isn’t there more?

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

• the belief that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. Some interpreted it to mean the US should expand over all of North America and to extend its political, social, and economic influences.

• the belief that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. Some interpreted it to mean the US should expand over all of North America and to extend its political, social, and economic influences.

Why did we expand?Why did we expand?

• Manifest Destiny• Manifest Destiny

Why did we expand?Why did we expand?

• Manifest Destiny• Trade

• Manifest Destiny• Trade

Why did we expand?Why did we expand?

• Manifest Destiny• Trade

• Manifest Destiny• Trade

Often, countries expand because they

are looking for natural resources!

Often, countries expand because they

are looking for natural resources!

Sometimes they expand because they are looking for new

products and for new markets to sell their

products!

Sometimes they expand because they are looking for new

products and for new markets to sell their

products!

And then, sometimes the markets are so far

away, that we need places to refuel

And then, sometimes the markets are so far

away, that we need places to refuel

We need outposts! We need outposts!

(Gas stations of the sea!)(Gas stations of the sea!)

Why did we expand?Why did we expand?

• Manifest Destiny• Trade• Religion

• Manifest Destiny• Trade• Religion

At that time, some wanted to expand in

order to spread Christianity

At that time, some wanted to expand in

order to spread Christianity

• Some believed that in order for anyone to enter Heaven, everyone in the world had to be converted to Christianity first.

• Some believed that in order for anyone to enter Heaven, everyone in the world had to be converted to Christianity first.

Why did we expand?Why did we expand?

• Manifest Destiny• Trade• Religion• Social Darwinism

• Manifest Destiny• Trade• Religion• Social Darwinism

DarwinDarwin

• His book Origin of the Species published in 1859

• Explained evolution of species through the process of natural selection

• His book Origin of the Species published in 1859

• Explained evolution of species through the process of natural selection

And then came Social Darwinism

And then came Social Darwinism

• The belief that Darwin’s theory of evolution extends to societies as well. The fittest people survive (rich v. poor) and the fittest nations survive (powerful nations v. weaker nations)

• The belief that Darwin’s theory of evolution extends to societies as well. The fittest people survive (rich v. poor) and the fittest nations survive (powerful nations v. weaker nations)

Why did we expand?Why did we expand?

• Manifest Destiny• Trade• Religion• Social Darwinism• National Defense

• Manifest Destiny• Trade• Religion• Social Darwinism• National Defense

To better protect one’s country,

countries expand. That way, they can protect themselves better from attack

To better protect one’s country,

countries expand. That way, they can protect themselves better from attack