Imperialism and America Unit 4, Ch. 10.1: Imperialism and America

American Expansionism: Americans had been expanding their nation since the beginning, but by the late 1880’s many leaders were convinced that we should join the imperialist powers of Europe and establish colonies overseas. Imperialism is the belief that stronger nations should extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.

Global Competition: European nations had long held colonies elsewhere. In the late 19th century, Africa had emerged as a prime target for European expansionism. By the end of the 20th century, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent. Imperialists had also competed for territory in Asia, especially in China. In its late 19th century reform era, Japan replaced its old feudal order with a strong central government. Hoping that military strength would bolster industrialization, Japan joined European nations in competition for China in the 1890’s.

Global Competition: Most Americans gradually warmed to the idea of expansion overseas. With a belief in manifest destiny, they already had pushed the U.S. border to the Pacific Ocean. Three factors fueled the new American imperialism: Desire for military strength, thirst for new markets, belief in cultural superiority.

Desire for Military Strength: Military leaders in America, such as Naval Admiral Alfred Mahan, saw that other countries were establishing a global military presence and recommended the U.S. follow suit. Mahan urged gov. officials to build up U.S. Naval power in order to compete with other powerful nations. As a result of this, the U.S. added several more cruisers and constructed battleships such as the Maine and the Oregon, making the U.S. the third largest naval power.

Thirst for New Markets: In the late 19th century, advances in technology enabled American farms and factories to make more than Americans could consume. The U.S. needed raw materials for its factories and new markets to sell its grown and manufactured goods. Imperialists saw this as a solution to the problems of unemployment and economic depression.

Belief in Cultural Superiority: Cultural factors were also used to justify imperialism. Some Americans combined the philosophy of Social Darwinism with a belief that Anglo- Saxons were racially superior. They argued that the U.S. had a responsibility to spread Christianity and “civilization” to the world’s “inferior peoples.” This viewpoint defined “civilization” with the standards of only one culture.

The US Acquires Alaska: An early supporter of American expansion was William Seward, who was Secretary of State under Lincoln and Johnson. He arranged for the U.S. to buy Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million but he had a hard time persuading the House to approve funding. People called it “Seward’s icebox” or “Seward’s folly”, but in time they were proven wrong. The land purchased was rich in timber, minerals, and oil.

The US Takes Hawaii: In 1867, the same year Alaska was purchased, the U.S. took over the Midway Islands, which lie in the Pacific about 1300 miles north of Hawaii. No one lived there, so it didn’t attract much attention. Hawaii was another question. The islands had been economically important to the U.S. for a century. Since the 1790’s. American merchants had stopped there on their way to China and India. Missionaries founded Christian schools and churches there, and their children and grandchildren became sugar planter who sold most of their crop to the U.S.

In the mid-19th century, American sugar plantations accounted for 3/4th of the islands’ wealth. Plantation owners brought in immigrant laborers from Asia and by 1900, the foreigners outnumbered native Hawaiians 3 to 1. In 1875, the U.S. agreed to import Hawaiian sugar duty-free (no tax). In the next 15 years, sugar production increased 9 times. Then the McKinley Tariff of 1890 caused a crisis by eliminating that tax free status. As a result, the planters called for the U.S. to annex the islands so they could avoid the tax. The military pressured Hawaii to allow the U.S. to build a naval base at Pearl Harbor, the kingdom’s best port. The base became a refueling station for American ships.

The End of a Monarchy: Hawaii’s King Kalakaua had been strong-armed by white business leaders into amending their constitution, limiting voting rights to wealthy land owners. When he died and his sister Queen Liliuokalani came to power with a “Hawaii for Hawaiians” agenda, wanting to go back to the way things were, business groups organized a revolution. With the help of U.S. marines, they overthrew the queen and set up a new government.

The End of a Monarchy: Sanford Dole took over power, and President Cleveland directed that the queen be restored to the throne. Dole refused. Cleveland formally recognized the Republic of Hawaii, but refused to annex it unless a majority of Hawaiians favored it. In 1897 when McKinley became president, Congress proclaimed Hawaii an American territory, didn’t allow Hawaiians to vote on it. In 1959, Hawaii became our 50th state.