1. America
Becomes
a Colonial
Power

2. I. American Expansionism
Causes
What is imperialism?
When stronger nations extend their control over weaker nations.

3. B. Why? 1. Global Competition
European powers had been establishing colonies for centuries. Where?
Africa
Asia
Americas

8. American Missionaries in China, 1905
Religious/Missionary Interests
American Missionaries in China, 1905

9. 2. Desire for Military Strength
Admiral Alfred T. Mahan ( ) argued that in order to compete internationally the US must become a naval power

10. Military/Strategic Interests
Alfred T. Mahan (1890) The Influence of Sea Power on History:

11. 3. Thirst for New Markets
By 1890, American farmers and factories were producing more products than Americans could consume.

12. Commercial/Business Interests U. S. Foreign Investments: 1869-1908

13. Commercial/Business Interests American Foreign Trade: 1870-1914

14. 4. Belief in Cultural Superiority
Many Americans believed in Social Darwinism.
Belief in “superior” and “inferior” races.

15. Social Darwinist Thinking
The White Man’s Burden
The Hierarchy of Race

16. II. Early American Expansion
Alaska
In 1867, William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
Criticized by US public.
In 1959, Alaska became a state.

17. “Seward’s Folly”: 1867
$7.2 million

18. “Seward’s Icebox”: 1867

20. B. Hawaii
1. Since the 1790s, US merchants
had stopped there on their
way to Asia.
2. Their descendants started
sugar plantations.

22. U. S. Missionaries in Hawaii
Imiola Church – first built in the late 1820s

23. 3. In 1887, the US built a naval
base at Pearl Harbor.
4. In 1898, Congress proclaimed
Hawaii an American territory.
5. In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th
state.

25. U. S. View of Hawaiians
Hawaii becomes a U. S. Protectorate in by virtue of economic treaties.

26. Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani Hawaii for the Hawaiians!

27. U. S. Business Interests In Hawaii
1875 – Reciprocity Treaty
1890 – McKinley Tariff
1893 – American businessmen backed an uprising against Queen Liliuokalani.
Sanford Ballard Dole proclaims the Republic of Hawaii in 1894.

28. To The Victor Belongs the Spoils
Hawaiian Annexation Ceremony, 1898