Becoming A Superpower Pressure to Expand

Status of Late 1800s: Industry and farming were booming…maybe too much Overproduction caused unemployment and low prices We needed new markets to sell and trade to.

Growth of European Imperialism Imperialism: stronger nations attempting to dominate weaker ones in all spheres-economic, political, culturally, and militarily They were partitioning Africa and Asia

Why Imperialism Feelings Grew Across the World 1. Economic Factor- needed new natural resources for factories 2. Nationalist Factors- Pride in your country to be the best 3. Military Factors- Far superior navy and military than Africa and Asia 4. Humanitarian Factors- spread the blessing of Western Civilization

Early U.S. Imperialism--Alaska 1867- William Seward, Secretary of State, purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million(2 cents an acre) Referred to in papers as “Seward’s Folly” Feelings changed when gold, oil, and massive timber supplies were found

Hawaii and the Pacific Needed a military outpost in the Pacific(defense and fueling purposes) We allowed sugar planters to sell in U.S. market and assisted them in their revolt against Liliuokalani Annexed the territory in 1898

Latin America Interests We invested in their economies and they allowed leases for lands in their country. We began to import 50 million bunches of bananas a year from these investments. Central America now referred to as Banana Republics

Protecting our Expanding Borders Increased push to modernize civil war navies to protect imperialist interests Cruisers and Battleships approved for completion By 1900, with assistance from Naval Advisory Board, we had one of the most powerful navies in the world

Other Reasons for Imperialism Refreshing the Pioneer Spirit Advocates of Social Darwinism—only the strong survive Justified through spread of Christianity