1. Imperialism & World War I
American History II - Unit 3

2. 3.1 – American Imperialism & Hawaii

3. Imperialism
Foreign policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, and/or military control over weaker territories
European countries had been doing this for centuries (ex: GB’s American colonies)
1900 – African prime target… only 2 countries still remained independent of foreign rule
At the turn of the 20th century, some Americans wanted to join the imperialist powers of Europe and establish their own colonies.
Desire for military strength
Thirst for new markets
Belief in cultural superiority

4. Motivations for Imperialism
Desire for Military Strength
Thirst for New Markets
Belief in Cultural Superiority
CAUSE
Other nations were building larger militaries to control expanded empires
Technology advances enabled increased goods production
Social Darwinism, ethnocentrism – judging another culture by one’s own cultural standards
EFFECT
US needs to be competitive
Admiral Alfred Mahan (US Navy) pushed gov’t officials expand navy  World’s 3rd largest navel power by 1900
US needs more raw natural resources and new markets for goods
1867 – William Seward arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia (7.2 m), 1959 – state  timber, minerals, and oil
Belief that Anglo-Saxons (white Germanic) are superior to other races.
US has a duty to spread Christianity and “civilization” to “inferior” peoples  “White Man’s Burden”
“Seward’s Folly”

6. Hawaiian Annexation Hawaiian importance to US
Trading pit stop between US and Asia
American owned sugar plantations sold to US for low prices
Pearl Harbor – US naval base, refueling station, and largest Hawaiian port

7. Hawaiian Annexation
Mid 1800s - US sugar plantations accounted for ¾ of the island’s wealth
1890 – McKinley Tariff placed taxes on previously duty-free HI sugar  US sugar plantation owners in HI called for annexation to avoid tariffs
Annex – to incorporate territory into an existing country or state

8. Hawaiian Annexation 1891 – Queen Liliuokalani gained power in HI
Brother ruled previously, gave into wealthy American businessmen, restricted voting rights to only wealthy land owners
“Queen Lil” – strict “Hawaiians for Hawaiians” agenda  forcibly removed from the throne by US marines organized by pro-business ambassador John L. Stevens
POTUS Cleveland – ordered Queen Lil be restored to the throne, recognized Republic of HI, and refused to annex HI unless majority voted
POTUS McKinley – 1898, Congress declared HI as a US territory without HI vote (1959 – HI = 50th state)