The document discusses the growth of American imperialism in the late 19th century. It provides context for why imperialism grew in Europe due to economic and nationalistic factors. For the US, the need to expand markets abroad for surplus American goods, protect business interests with a strong navy, and preserve the pioneer spirit with new territories to conquer drove the debate around building an American empire. The US steadily expanded its territory and influence through the Mexican War, Alaska purchase, relations with Japan, and arguments from figures like Alfred Mahan and beliefs like Manifest Destiny.

1. Chapter 10
Becoming a world power
1890-1915

2. Chapter 10.1: The Pressure to Expand
Key Qs:
1. Why did imperialism grow in Europe at the end of the 1800s?
 2. How did the U.S. apply the Monroe Doctrine to its foreign policy
throughout the 1800s?
 3. Why did U.S. policymakers feel the need to secure new markets
abroad?
 4. Why did some believe that U.S. expansion was needed to preserve
the “American Spirit”?

3. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge,
1895
“Small states are of the past and have no future. The modern
movement is all toward the concentration of people and
territory into great nations and large dominions. The great
nations are rapidly absorbing for their future expansion and
their present defence all the waste places of the earth….As one
of the great nations of the world, the United States should not
fall out of the line of March.”

4. Growth of Imperialism
What did he mean with this quote?
Do you think Americans living in 1895 agreed with
him?

5. Growth of Imperialism
Imperialism—stronger nations attempt to dominate
weaker nations—economically, politically, culturally,
and/or militarily

6. Why Imperialism Grew
Economic Factors:
 Increased industry=increased need for natural resources
 Example=rubber trees in Congo, used to make Belgian bicycle
tires
 Increased industry=increased need for new markets to sell
manufactured goods

7. Why Imperialism Grew
Nationalism—devotion to one’s country; belief that a
nation and its ideals are superior to that of other
nations
 Example=when France acquired colonies in W. Africa in the
late 1800s, rival nations Britain & Germany seized neighboring
lands to halt French expansion

8. Why Imperialism Grew
Military Factors:
 European armies/navies superior to those of Africa & Asia
 Growing navies required bases for fueling & getting supplies
Humanitarian Factors:
 Missions—spread Christianity
 Spread law, medicine, democracy

9. Europe Leads the Way
Germany unified in 1871
Germany, France, Russia, Britain, Italy, Belgium all
competed for empires
U.S. entered imperial arena by 1890s
 Annex—To join a new territory to an existing country

12. Expanding U.S. Interests
History of U.S. foreign policy:
Washington’s Farewell—Advised to “steer clear of
permanent alliances”—advice followed until 1820s
Monroe Doctrine (1823)—U.S. declared itself neutral
in European war; warned other nations not to
interfere in Western Hemisphere

13. Monroe Doctrine

16. U.S. Expansionism
Mexican War 1846-1848
 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gave U.S. Mexican Cession
 500,000 + sq. miles

17. U.S. Expansion
1867—Sec. of State Seward bought Alaska from
Russia
“icebox,” “Seward’s Folly”
Proved to be a
good purchase,
why?

18. U.S. Expansionism
U.S. fleet led by Commodore Matthew Perry opens
trade w/ Japan—1853
U.S. annexes Midway Islands in 1867
 Used as refueling & repair stations for navy
1875—Agreement allows Hawaii to sell sugar to U.S.
duty-free

19. Arguments for Expansion
Promoting economic growth:
 Surplus, Americans could not consume all goods produced
 Looking to expand markets
 Investments in foreign businesses
 Banana republics—term used to describe Central American
nations dominated by U.S. business interests

20. Value of U.S. Exports

21. Arguments for Expansion
Protecting American security:
Alfred T. Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power Upon
History, 1660-1783
Build of navy needed to protect business interests
Steam-powered ships made this possible
Naval Act of 1890 promoted naval build-up, led to
one of the most powerful navies in world by 1900

22. Arguments for Expansion
Protecting American security:
Alfred T. Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power Upon
History, 1660-1783
Build of navy needed to protect business interests
Steam-powered ships made this possible
Naval Act of 1890 promoted naval build-up, led to
one of the most powerful navies in world by 1900

23. Arguments for Expansion
Preserving American spirit:
U.S. had always had a frontier
1890 census declared western frontier closed
Quest for an empire would restore “vitality” &
“pioneer spirit”
It was destiny to build an empire
 Manifest Destiny
 Social Darwinism

24. Arguments for Expansionism
Debate heightened
Should U.S. build an empire or not?
Arguments for & against….

26. Chapter 10.1: The Pressure to Expand
Key Qs:
1. Why did imperialism grow in Europe at the end of the 1800s?
 2. How did the U.S. apply the Monroe Doctrine to its foreign policy
throughout the 1800s?
 3. Why did U.S. policymakers feel the need to secure new markets
abroad?
 4. Why did some believe that U.S. expansion was needed to preserve
the “American Spirit”?