Essential Questions on American Imperialism

What two ideas dominated American political policy prior to the period that saw a growth of imperialistic ideas? American Industrial Growth Economic Depression Anti-Imperialism (those who were against the United States expansion).

List Three causes of American imperialism: 1) Industrial Revolution 2) Increased American Military Strength 3) Missionaries spread Christianity

Describe Mahan’s Theory about sea power: Other countries were building strong militaries and the United States needed to compete.

Evaluate the impact on racial attitudes from Kipling’s idea of the “white mans burden” and how that affected imperialistic goals. American Way of life is best! Civilize the inferior and savage people Spread Christianity and White Anglo Saxon Protestant values.

Explain the dichotomy between the religious ideals supporting missionary work and people’s attitudes toward native peoples. People wanted to help the natives, but felt that they were inferior.

Define Social Darwinism Survival of the fittest! Countries had to compete in order to survive.

How did the closing of the American frontier impact the need to expand overseas? Investors had to look elsewhere for economic opportunities.

Compare British and American Imperialism United States: Spanish American War, Humanitarianism (Sympathy), Economic interests. Great Britain: Controlled over ¼ of world’s territory and population. Egypt, South Africa, Australia.

Analyze how events in Hawaii demonstrate American imperialistic policy Americans went to Hawaii in the early 1800s as missionaries and for economic interests (sugar plantations). In 1891, the Queen changed rules surrounding sugar plantation owners (she thought they had too much power). American planters overthrew the Queen and set up their own government. Hawaii was eventually annexed.

Spanish American War Tariff of 1894: Restrictions on sugar imports. Hurt Cuban planters. Cuba was a Spanish colony. Cubans began to revolt against the Spanish regime. The United States became concerned and sent the USS Maine to rescue US citizens who might be endangered. The Maine mysteriously blew up! Americans went into a frenzy- President McKinley declares War.

For the last questions- use what you have learned! These are opinion questions for the most part. These questions will guide a class discussion that we have on Wednesday!