Imperialism The extension of a nation’s control and influence over political or economic life of other nations.The extension of a nation’s control and influence over political or economic life of other nations.

1. Military/Strategic Interests Wanted to compete with other Nations Alfred T. Mahan  Urged government officials to build up American naval power Wanted to compete with other Nations Alfred T. Mahan  Urged government officials to build up American naval power

2. Economic Reasons Commercial/Business Interests 2. Economic Reasons Commercial/Business Interests U. S. Foreign Investments:

American Foreign Trade: Technology enable farms and factories to produce more than they needed Needed raw materials for factories, & new markets for goods Foreign trade solution to overproduction American Foreign Trade: Technology enable farms and factories to produce more than they needed Needed raw materials for factories, & new markets for goods Foreign trade solution to overproduction

3.Ideology: Belief in cultural superiority –Social Darwinism The White Man’s Burden The Hierarchy of Race

Religious/Missionary Interests American Missionaries in China, 1905

Closing the American Frontier

United State’s Purchase Alaska In 1867 US Secretary of State William Seward made an arrangment with Russia to buy Alaska for $7.2 million

“Seward’s Icebox”: 1867 “Seward’s Folly” (mistake) “Seward’s Icebox”: 1867 “Seward’s Folly” (mistake)

Alaska is rich in natural resources: Timber, minerals, OILAlaska is rich in natural resources: Timber, minerals, OIL 1959 Alaska becomes a state1959 Alaska becomes a state

Significance of Hawaii Merchants need to stop there on the way to China & East IndiaMerchants need to stop there on the way to China & East India

So the United States send missionaries there and set up Christian schoolsSo the United States send missionaries there and set up Christian schools The missionaries started sugar plantationsThe missionaries started sugar plantations By the 1850’s American businessmen control ¾ of the wealth of HawaiiBy the 1850’s American businessmen control ¾ of the wealth of Hawaii

U. S. View of Hawaiians The United States thought it was culturally superior to the Hawaiins

U. S. Business Interests In Hawaii 1875 – Reciprocity Treaty – No tariffs on imports/exports from Hawaii to US 1890 – McKinley Tariff – Hawaii has to pay tariffs like everyone else; Planters face competition American businessmen want US to annex Hawaii

Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani Hawaii for the Hawaiians!

U. S. Business Interests In Hawaii 1893 – American businessmen backed an uprising against Queen Liliuokalani. Sanford Ballard Dole proclaims the Republic of Hawaii in 1894.

President Grover Cleveland opposes new government, unless Hawaiians have the right to vote to become part of US However, when President McKinley takes over the US makes Hawaii a territory without allowing the Hawaiians to vote.

Hawaiian Annexation Ceremony, 1898