Miss Bonk

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

What does super mean?

What does power mean?

What is a super power?

Military supremacy, economic power, global influence,

technological and scientific accomplishment

SUPERPOWER

How does a country become a “superpower”?

A large group of states or countries under a single, supreme authority-especially an emperor.

Supreme control in governing.

A group of nations or people ruled over by an emperor or a powerful government. (ex: Roman Empire, Byzantine

Empire)

WHAT IS AN EMPIRE?

Create your own definition of empire using the 4 square model

1. Definition2. Example

3. Use it in a complete sentence4. Draw a picture

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE AN EMPIRE?

Working Definition: a transnational political formation where a state exerts power over another subordinated society,

territory and people.

Political control exercised by one organized political unit over another unit separate from it. The imperial power rules

over the subordinate.

WHAT IS “EMPIRE”?

HOW DOES A COUNTRY CREATE AN EMPIRE?

Who is the central figure in the cartoon?

What is he holding?

What is he doing?

Who might the smaller men represent?

What are they doing?

What is the cartoon a visual representation of?

Formal• Directly ruling a foreign territory• Imperial state declares sovereigntyover over territory*Roman Empire, French Empire, British Empire

Informal• Exercising power without direct rule over somewhat independent states/countries(financial aid, military occupation)-showing their power*American Empire

WHAT ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH POWER IS

EXERCISED?

Howard Zinn A People’s History of the American Empirehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arn3lF5XSUg

Do you think the US engaged in imperialistic actions?If so, when?

Was the US an “empire” in the 20th century?

What do you think were the motivations for their actions?

DISCUSSION

What factors motivate American expansion?

Learning Objective: Understand and identify the various factors that motivate American expansion

Main Idea: Beginning in 1867 and continuing through the 20 th century, global competition, economic, military, and political factors cause the US

to expand.

Why It Matters Now:During this time period, the United States acquired Hawaii and Alaska

(became states in 1959).

INTRODUCTION TO IMPERIALSM

When should the US intervene in the affairs of another country?

DISCUSS

*During the Early Republic, America practiced a policy of isolationism.

*A policy to remain neutral in world conflicts and not form permanent alliances with other countries.

AMERICAN ISOLATIONISM

19th century doctrine in which the US believed it had the “God given right” to expand into the

whole North American continent.

MANIFEST DESTINY

*The closing of the frontier in 1890 marked the end of westward expansion in the US.

*Manifest destiny encouraged the US to expand and spread American culture, Christian religion,

and democratic government abroad.

MANIFEST DESTINY

A policy where stronger nations exert their economic, political or military control over weaker nations.

Factors That Fueled American Imperialism:1. Political: Global competition

2. Military: Desire for military strength3. Economic: Thirst for new markets

4. Cultural: Belief in cultural superiority of Anglo Saxon race

IMPERIALISM

19th century advances in technology made farmers and factories able to produce more goods than

Americans could consume.

The US needed raw materials for the factories and new markets for US goods.

DESIRE FOR NEW MARKETS

William Seward, a supporter of American expansion, arranged to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (.02

cents per acre).

They called the land “Seward’s Ice Box”

The land was rich in timber, minerals and oils.

THE US ACQUIRES ALASKA

In the 1920s, American missionaries settled in Hawaii and created Christian schools

and churches.

A missionary is a member of a religious group, sent somewhere

to promote their religion.

The children of these missionaries grew up to be sugar

planters on the island.

THE UNITED STATES IN HAWAII

In 1875, the US agreed to import Hawaiian sugar duty (tax) free.

The McKinley Tariff of 1890 got rid of the tax free status of Hawaiian sugar grown by US sugar planters on the

island, causing American planters to face competition in the US market.

American planters wanted the US to annex Hawaii so they would not have

to pay the sugar tax.

THE UNITED STATES IN HAWAII

Queen Liliuokalini wanted “Hawaii for Hawaiians”

She wanted to get rid of property owning qualifications for voting

which would allow more Hawaiians to vote.

Wealthy American sugar plantation owners did not want the property owning qualifications removed. They organized a revolution and with the help of US Marines they

overthrew the queen and set up a new government.

THE UNITED STATES IN HAWAII

SHOULD THE US ANNEX HAWAII?

President Grover Cleveland said the queen had to be given back her throne.

President Cleveland refused to consider annexing Hawaii unless the majority of the Hawaiians voted in favor of it.

THE UNITED STATES IN HAWAII

ANNEXING HAWAII

William McKinley, President after Cleveland, favored annexing Hawaii.

On August 12, 1898 Congress proclaimed Hawaii a US territory even though Hawaiians never had a chance to vote.

In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state.

THE UNITED STATES IN HAWAII