1. Objectives
Describe early attempts by the United States to expand in the Pacific.
List the reasons many Americans came to favor expansion.
Explain how the United States gained the territories of Samoa and Hawaii.
Describe how the United States protected its trading rights in China.

2. Terms and People
Matthew C. Perry– Commodore of the Navy who led a squadron of U.S. warships to Japan to open trade with the nation
isolationism– policy of avoiding involvement in other countries’ affairs
imperialism– building empires by imposing political and economic control over peoples around the world
Frederick Jackson Turner– historian who argued that the western frontier defined American history

3. Terms and People (Continued)
Liliuokalani– Queen of Hawaii who advocated for Hawaiian independence
sphere of influence– areas where another nation has economic and political control

4. Finding new trading partners
How did the United States acquire new territory and expand trade in the Asia-Pacific region?
In the mid-1800s, the United States was ready to take on new challenges.
Finding new trading partners
Acquiring new land

5. U.S. merchants longed to trade with Japan, which had blocked outside trade for 250 years.
In 1853, Matthew C. Perry led U.S. warships into Tokyo Bay.
The Japanese were awed by Perry’s ships. In 1854, Japan agreed to trade with the U.S.

6. In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William Seward arranged the purchase of Alaska from Russia.
He hoped to open trade in Asia and the Pacific.
Critics thought the land was worthless. They called the deal “Seward’s Folly.”
Alaska turned out to be rich in gold and other resources.

7. Until the late 1800s, American foreign policy differed from that of many European nations.
The U.S. generally pursued a policy of isolationism. It did not get involved in other nations’ affairs.
European Nations
Many nations undertook a policy of imperialism. They wanted to expand into new territories.

8. Supporters made several arguments about the benefits of expansionism.
In the late 1800s, America was gripped by a new spirit of expansionism.
Supporters made several arguments about the benefits of expansionism.
Promote economic growth
Spread American values
Expansionism

9. Causes and Effects of U.S. Expansionism
Western frontier closes.
European nations acquire overseas colonies and compete for resources and markets.
U.S. industry needs to acquire raw materials and find new markets in which to sell its products.
Some in the U.S. want to spread American culture and values.
Effects
U.S. navy grows in size and power.
U.S. gains control of territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
U.S. issues Open Door Policy (all nations can trade with China).
U.S. builds Panama Canal.
U.S. sends troops to Latin American nations to protect its interests.

10. U.S. expansionists expressed interest in many Pacific Island chains, including Samoa.
Three nations fought for Samoa.
U.S.
Britain
In 1899, the U.S. and Germany divided Samoa.
Germany
The people of Samoa had no say in the matter.

11. Americans also eyed Hawaii, because its location was ideal for a military outpost between the U.S. and Asia.
1820
1887
1891
American planters came to Hawaii and set up huge sugar plantations.
Planters forced the Hawaiian king to accept a new constitution.
Liliuokalani became Hawaii’s queen. She advocated for Hawaiian independence.

12. In 1893, American planters organized an uprising that ultimately led the U.S. to annex Hawaii.
A U.S. official sent 50 Marines to Hawaii.
The Marines overthrew the queen.
Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898.
President Cleveland declared the revolt illegal.
President McKinley signed a treaty to annex Hawaii.

13. Expansion across the Pacific allowed the U. S
Expansion across the Pacific allowed the U.S. to gain resources, open new markets, and encourage trade.

14. They divided China into spheres of influence.
In the late 1800s, China was weakened by war. Other nations took advantage of this weakness.
European powers and Japan forced China to grant them land and trading rights.
They divided China into spheres of influence.
U.S. Secretary of State wanted to keep an “open door” in China. He wanted to preserve trade with China.

16. In 1900, the U.S. helped end the Boxer Rebellion in China.
The Boxers opposed foreigners in China.
They staged a violent rebellion in 1900.
The U.S. and other powers sent troops to end the rebellion.

17. To prevent the other powers from seizing Chinese territory, Secretary Hay issued a second Open Door note.
Open Door Policy
America intended to preserve open trade with other nations.
China should not be broken up into separate pieces.