1. Imperialism and America
Beginning in 1867 and continuing through the century, global competition caused the United States to expand.

2. Imperialism
The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.

3. American Expansionism
What were the major factors that contributed to the growth of American imperialism?

4. American Expansionism
Global competition

5. Global Competition
In the late 19th century Africa was a prime target of European expansionism.
Imperialists also competed for territory in Asia.
Having fulfilled the quest for manifest destiny, Americans were warming to the idea of overseas expansion.

6. Desire for military Strength
American Expansionism
Desire for military Strength

7. Desire for Military Strength
Seeing that other nations were establishing a global military presence, the US aimed to build up its own military strength.
Between 1883 and 1890 the US built nine steel-hulled cruisers.
The United States became the world’s third largest naval power.

8. American Expansionism
Thirst for New markets

9. Thirst for New Markets
Overproduction
Need for raw materials
Foreign trade is viewed as a solution to Americas overproduction and related issues of unemployment and economic depression.

10. Belief in cultural superiority
American Expansionism
Belief in cultural superiority

11. Belief in Cultural Superiority
Social Darwinism
Belief in racial superiority of Anglo-Saxons
US responsibility to spread Christianity and “civilization” to the world’s “inferior peoples.”

12. The United States Acquires Land

13. United States Acquisitions
Alaska

14. Alaska Purchased in 1867 from Russia; state in 1959
Criticized as “Seward’s Icebox” but later realized they were wrong… for about 2 cents an acre, the US acquired land rich in timber, minerals, and oil.

15. American Acquisitions
Hawaii

16. Hawaii
Islands held economic importance: stopping point for American merchants heading to China and East India
Island held militaristic importance: 1887 naval base at Pearl Harbor used as a refueling station for American ships

17. Hawaii Sugar Plantations
By mid 19th century American owned sugar plantation accounted for ¾ of the islands’ wealth.
1875: import Hawaiian sugar duty free
1890: McKinley Tariff imposes a duty = competition in the American markets
Call for annexation to avoid duty
Hawaiian monarchy is overthrown and in 1898 Hawaii becomes a territory of the US; state in 1959

18. The Spanish American War
In 1898, the United States went to war to help Cuba win its independence from Spain.

19. The Spanish American War
The Spanish-American War is often referred to as the first "media war."
During the 1890s, journalism that sensationalized—and sometimes even manufactured—dramatic events was a powerful force that helped propel the United States into war with Spain.
Led by newspaper owners William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, journalism of the 1890s used melodrama, romance, and hyperbole to sell millions of newspapers--a style that became known as yellow journalism.

26. Yellow Journalism
Political cartoons and drawings were popular features in 1890s newspapers and the yellow journals of the Spanish-American War era.
Before the Spanish-American War began, drawings depicting Spain as evil, Cuba as innocent, and President McKinley as a coward, helped rally sympathy for the Cuban people and fuel a pro-war feeling in America.
Illustrations simplified the message that yellow journalists like William Randolph Hearst wanted his readers to buy--Cuba was helpless and the U.S. must intervene.

33. Activity
Create a yellow journalism political cartoon or poster to encourage the American public to support the Spanish American War.
Create a sensational headline to support your cartoon/poster.