Chapter 23: Section 1A Pacific Empire

Main Idea: At the end of the 1800s, the United States became a world power,

acquiring new territories in the Pacific and the Caribbean.

A. Isolation & Expansion Isolationism – having little to do with the

political affairs of other countries– For 1st 75 years, America kept to itself & had little to do

with foreign nations (Washington’s Farewell Address)

– This was good for a young nation, since we were busy growing & developing (stayed out of Europe’s wars)

Early ExpansionEarly Expansion Expansionism – extending a nation’s boundaries

– Manifest Destiny – westward expansion

– Foreign Trade (mostly with Europe)

The Opening of JapanThe Opening of Japan Japan had closed its doors to “Westerners” since

the 1600s (feared foreign influence) Commodore Matthew Perry sailed to Tokyo in

1853 with 4 warships & a letter from Pres. Fillmore asking Japan to open trade with U.S.

A year later they signed the Treaty of Kanagawa, which opened two ports for trade and agreed to help shipwrecked sailors

Commodore Matthew Perry Japanese portrayal of Commodore Matthew Perry

( Above) a Japanese ship, 1850’s; made so Japanese sailors would be unable to sail beyond the shores of Japan

(Above) Commodore Perry’s “Black Ships” in 1853

Perry’s Visit

B. Seward Looks to the Pacific U.S. annexed (added) Midway

Island (middle of Pacific Ocean = more trade with Asia & Pacific)

The Land Deal of the CenturyThe Land Deal of the Century Secretary of State William Seward

bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million = $.02/acre

– He saw it as a stepping stone for trade

– Russia was eager to dump it (far away)

– Increased size of U.S. by 1/5th

““Seward’s Folly”Seward’s Folly” At the time, most Americans

thought this was a foolish buy (worthless land, awful weather) & called it “Seward’s Ice Box” & “Seward’s Folly” (folly = mistake)

Alaska turned out to be a wise purchase. It is rich in natural resources (gold, oil, timber, etc.)

Many Americans referred to the purchase as “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox”, thinking Alaska was a barren wasteland.

Thomas Nast ridicules the purchase of Alaska from Russia by depicting Secretary of State William H. Seward as an elderly mother caring for her child, a small version of Pres. Andrew Johnson dressed as Uncle Sam. On the wall poster in the cartoon’s background, Uncle Sam is shown trudging in snowshoes across the icy tundra, planting American flags on Alaskan mountaintops, as polar bears and walruses watch. A picture of an Eskimo family is sarcastically labeled “One of the Advantages.”

* Alaska, however, turned out to be rich in fish, gold, copper, timber, oil and coal.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline transports oil, Alaska's most important export.. It runs 800 miles, from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Alaska at Valdez.

C. Imperialism Imperialism: powerful countries controlling weaker countries (empire building)

– From 1870 to 1914, European nations & the US colonized much of Africa, Asia & Latin America

Why Imperialism? Why Imperialism? 1. Economic benefits - raw materials (take from) & new markets (sell to) = $ 2. Racism (“White Mans’ Burden”) - Europeans believed they had a duty to spread

their religion & culture to “backward” people (ignored fact that they had their own)3. Competition - these nations fought for markets to sell their goods & keep others out

American’s Seek EmpireAmerican’s Seek Empire Arguments in favor of US expansion: 1. U.S. must keep pace with Europe for markets or our economy will collapse 2. “White Man’s Burden” (spread democracy & Christianity) & Social Darwinism3. Now that American frontier was gone, we must continue “manifest destiny” overseas

A New NavyA New Navy How?: Sea Power Alfred Mahan – The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)

Argued that success of US depended on foreign trade & a strong navy was necessary to protect American merchant ships & to acquire naval bases around the world

The “Great White Fleet” - nickname for US Navy at turn of century (painted white)

“White Man’s Burden” Manifest Destiny

Compete with EuropeEconomic BenefitsEconomic Benefits

BEFORE

AFTER

E. Taking Over Hawaii Why important? Gave the U.S. an economic & military base in the Pacific Ocean Missionaries & PlantersMissionaries & Planters: American missionaries 1st arrived in the 1820s, & by the

1890s American sugar planters had tremendous influence there (new constitution) Planters RebelPlanters Rebel: : When Queen Liliuokalani tried to limit their power & reassert

Hawaiian independence, they rebelled & overthrew her (w/ help from US Marines) Annexing HawaiiAnnexing Hawaii: : Hawaii was eventually annexed by U.S. 5 years later in 1898

(Pres. Cleveland called our involvement “disgraceful”) & became 50th state in 1959.

D. Rivalry Over Samoa Samoa (a chain of small islands) was attractive to the US as a naval base &

commercial port in the South Pacific Ocean US competed with Germany & Great Britain for control of islands

– Eventually, Germany & US divided them, while GB got other territories in the Pacific Ocean

• Wealthy American planters, such as Sanford Dole, forced the Hawaiian king, Kalakaua, to adopt a new constitution, giving more control of the kingdom to the planters. In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani became the leader of Hawaii and attempted to restore the kingdom’s independence.

Sanford Dole

“I yield to the superior force of the United States of America…To avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life, I do this under protest, and impelled by said force, yield my authority.”

- Lili’uokalani, letter to the U.S. government, 1893.

Queen Liliuokalani

• Hawaii was annexed in 1898 when President McKinley took office and became the fiftieth state in 1959.

A woman (Hawaii) and Uncle Sam are getting married, kneeling before the minister (Pres. McKinley) who is reading from a book entitled "Annexation Policy". The bride seems ready to bolt.

“Another Shotgun Wedding”

Spheres of InfluenceSpheres of Influence: : China was divided up by Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Japan into areas where only one nation could trade & that country received special privileges

F. Protecting Trade with China

John Hay

Uncle Sam: "I'm Out For Commerce Not Conquest!"

Open Door PolicyOpen Door Policy: : U.S. policy toward China where any nation can trade anywhere in China (eliminated spheres of influence)

Boxer Rebellion:Boxer Rebellion: Chinese patriots tried to rid China of foreigners by rebelling (over 200 killed; rebellion crushed)

Execution of Boxers after the rebellion

Executed Boxer leaders at Hsi-Kou 1900-1901, guarded by a German soldier.