This document discusses American imperialism between 1867-1919. It provides context for the political, economic, and cultural factors that fueled U.S. expansion overseas. These included the desire for military strength to compete with other global powers, the need for new markets and raw materials to support industrialization, and a belief in cultural and racial superiority. As a result of these factors, the U.S. extended its political and military control by acquiring Alaska from Russia in 1867, and taking control of Hawaii through orchestrated regime change and annexation despite resistance from native Hawaiians.

1. AMERICA BECOMES A
GLOBAL POWER
(1867-1919)

2. Should the United States
intervene in the affairs of another
country?

3. I can explain the political, economic, &
cultural factors that fueled the growth of
American imperialism.
Learning Target

4. Imperialism
Definition Illustration
Causes Effects

5. Definition
Imperialismis a
policy in which
strongernations
extend theirpolitical
ormilitary control
overweaker
territories.
 Examples?

6. Causes
Desire forMilitary Strength
Othernations around the world were establishing a
global military presence
Admiral Alfred T. Mahan urged government officials
to build American naval powerin orderto compete
 Construction of the Great White Fleet
 US became the world’s 3rd
largest naval power

7. The Great White Fleet

8. Causes
Thirst forNew Markets
The US needed raw
materials forits factories &
new markets forits
agricultural &
manufactured goods

9. Causes
Belief in Cultural Superiority
Some Americans combined Social Darwinism with a
belief in the racial superiority of Western Europeans
They argued that the US had a responsibility to spread
Christianity & “civilize” the world’s “inferior” people

10. White Man’s Burden

11. Effects
The US Acquires Alaska
In 1867, Secretary of State
William Seward arranged for
the US to buy Alaska from
Russia $7.2 million
 Called “Seward’s Folly” or
“Seward’s Icebox”

12. Effects
The US Takes Hawaii
Hawaii had been economically important to the US
since the 1790s
By the mid-1800s, American-owned sugarplantations
made up about 75% of the islands’ wealth
In 1887, the US built a naval base at Pearl Harbor

13. Effects
The US Takes Hawaii
In 1891, American business
groups organized a revolution
& overthrew Queen
Liliuokalani
Sanford B. Dole was put in
charge of the new government

14. Effects
The US Takes Hawaii
President GroverCleveland recognized the Republic
of Hawaii & called fora vote of the Hawaiian people
On August 12, 1898, Congress made Hawaii an
American territory although Hawaiians were never
given the chance to vote

15. The Fate of Hawaii