BECOMING A WORLD POWER

United States Expansion

(1890-1915)

The Pressure to Expand

• What factors led to the growth of imperialism around the world?

• In what ways did the United States begin to expand its interests abroad in the late 1800s?

• What arguments were made in favor of United States expansion in the 1890s?

Chapter 10, Section 1

European Imperialism

• By late 1800s, European nations dominated huge portions of Africa and Asia:– Economically: need for natural resources and markets

to sell goods– Politically: related to NATIONALISM - devotion to

one’s nation - PRIDE– Culturally: or Humanitarian. Religious missionaries

spread blessings of Western Civilization - law, medicine, Christian religion

– Militarily: Superior technology. Also, growing navies required worldwide bases

United States interests• 1796 - Washington’s Farewell address and Neutrality

– Isolationist - not entangled in other nation’s business - isolated

• 1823 - Monroe Doctrine• 1840s-50s - Manifest Destiny (westward expansion over

North America)• 1853 - Japan opened to US (the “West”) trade-

Commodore Matthew Perry• 1867 - Alaska - “Seward’s Ice Box” or “Seward’s Folly”• 1875 - Treaty with Hawaii - sugar• 1870s - Latin American & Caribbean issues

Expanding U.S. Interests• Originally meant that the United States declared itself neutral in

European wars and warned other nations to stay out of the Western Hemisphere.

• Later, the doctrine was interpreted to mean a more active role to protect the interests of the United States.

The Monroe Doctrine

• In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia.Seward’s Folly

• Seward bought the uninhabited Midway Islands for use as repairing and refueling stations for navy vessels in the Pacific.

Midway Islands

• The United States signed a treaty with Hawaii and took a more active role in protecting Latin America.

Latin America and Hawaii

Chapter 10, Section 1

Expansionism

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Japan

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Alaska

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Arguments for U.S. Expansion

• The United States needed to secure new markets in other countries.• The United Fruit Company invested and gained political influence in

some Central American nations. These nations were called banana republics.

Promoting Economic Growth

• An expanded navy with bases around the world would protect U.S. Interests. By 1900, the United States had one of the most powerful navies in the world.

Protecting American Security

• Some leaders of the day believed that introducing Christianity and modern civilization to less developed nations around the world was a noble pursuit.

Preserving American Spirit

Chapter 10, Section 1

Changing times - Arguments for US expansion

• Economic - overproduction and surplus needed new markets

• US business abroad increased call for government involvement– Banana Republics

Changing times - Arguments for US expansion

• American Security overseas

• The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (Alfred T. Mahan)– Importance of a

nation’s navy– 1880s - first battleships– 1890 - Naval Act - $ to

build a larger fleet

Changing times - Arguments for US expansion

• The American Spirit: Culturally• Closing the Frontier = limit

development of American character: Needed to expand.– Henry Cabot Lodge– Frederick Jackson Turner (frontier thesis)– Theodore Roosevelt

• Anglo-Saxon civilization:– Josiah Strong (minister)– Albert Beveridge (Senator)– Could extend civilization to heathen (un-

Christian peoples)

• Social Darwinists– Survival of the Fittest Civilizations

American Public Opinion

• Most Americans favored US Expansion

• Conquest of Western US complete

• Extend influence (not conquer) to other nations