United States History 1890-1917

Imperialism ◦ Political, military, and economic domination of

strong nations over weaker territories

◦ European nations establish colonies in Africa and Asia. Also, Japan had colonies

Economic Gain

Industrialist want

raw materials for

industries in their

home countries.

Entrepreneurs want

to sell their goods

and invest in new

overseas markets.

Militarism

Colonial

powers seek

bases for naval

forces that

protects their

global trade

networks.

Nationalism and

Social

Darwinism

Imperialism

feel a moral

duty to spread

their culture to

peoples they

consider

inferior.

1853- Treaty that

opened Japan to trade

with the United States

1867- US take

possession of the

Midway Islands

1875-Increase trade with

the Hawaiian Islands

1887- US get the right to

build the naval base at

Pearl Harbor

1867-US bought Alaska from

Russia for $7.2 million

1889- Promotes the construction

of the Pan-American Highway

System

US missionaries had established Christian churches and

schools.

Americans established sugar cane plantations. They

convinced King Kalakaua to amend Hawaii’s constitution

to favored them.

American planter overthrew Queen Liliuokalani and began

the process to annex Hawaii as a US Territory.

“A splendid little war”- John Hay, Secretary of States 1898

Cubans Rebel Against Spanish Rule

The Yellow Pages Inflames Opinion

The Maine Blow Up

The Nation Goes to War

The P

hilip

pin

es

American

Troops

surprised the

Spanish and win

with the help of

Emilio Aguinaldo

and the rebels.

Cuba

US Marines

capture

Guantánamo Bay

and the Calvary

led by Theodore

Roosevelt defeat

Spanish troops.

Puert

o R

ico

US forces

disembark on

Guánica shore in

July 25, 1898.

They don’t

found a

considerable

resistance.

Treaty of Paris

• Spain gave up control

of Cuba, Puerto Rico,

and Guam.

• Spain sold the

Philippines to the

United State for $20

million.

Americans Debate

Imperialism

• Was necessary to be a

economical power?

• They were betraying

their national values

of freedom and

equality?

America Assumes

a New Role in the

World

• An important turning

point in their Foreign

Policies