Download American Imperialism

American Imperialism
Expanding Horizons
What is Imperialism?
• Imperialism- the extension or imposition of
power, authority, or influence
• From the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s,
the United States expanded its influence into
new areas of the world.
Why Imperialism?
• The United States wanted to expand its
influence and control over new parts of the
world in order to:
– Find and use natural resources
• oil, minerals, food, etc.
– Expand trade
• new markets and customers
– Increase Military power
• increase security, gain military bases
– Keep pace with European nations
Where did the U.S. want to expand?
• The United States focused its expansion on:
– The Caribbean Islands
• Puerto Rico, Cuba
– Central America
• Panama
– Pacific Islands
• Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, The Philippines
– Alaska
How did Imperialism take hold?
• Some new territories would become States
– Alaska and Hawaii
• Some new territories would become
United States Territories (not quite a state)
– Puerto Rico, Guam
• Some new territories would become
independent nations, heavily influenced by
the U.S.
– Panama, The Philippines
The 49th and 50th States
• 49th- Alaska
– Purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7 million.
• ~ 2 cents per acre
– Became the 49th State in May, 1959.
• 50th – Hawaii
– Independent Kingdom of Hawaii from 1810-1893
– Claimed by the U.S. in 1898
– Became the 50th State in August, 1959.
The Panama Canal
• The construction of the Panama Canal was the largest
building project in history.
– Began: May 6, 1904
– Finished : August 15, 1914
• The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and
the Pacific Ocean.
– Shortens the trip between Oceans by ~8,000 miles
– Important for World Trade
– Allows the U.S. Navy to protect both U.S. Coasts
Building the Canal
• The Panama Canal was first attempted by
France. (1881-1894)
– After 13 years the project was abandoned.
• Spent nearly $287,000,000
• Suffered ~22,000 deaths
– (Accidents and Disease)
– Only completed ~ ½ the project
1904
• In 1904 the United States restarted
construction of the Panama Canal.
• The first step was to decrease disease and
keep workers alive.
– Malaria and Yellow Fever were the biggest killers
– Research led new ideas on preventing the spread
of these deadly diseases.
How to save lives
• The single most important step taken to stop
the spread of disease was….
– Eliminating Mosquitos!!
• Mosquitos spread malaria and yellow fever
• Insecticides, oiling, and the elimination of stagnant
water helped kill more than 61 billion mosquitos!!
Diseases eliminated
• With the elimination of mosquitos and
precautions like vaccinations and bed-nets,
disease rates dropped by more than 93%.
Building the Canal
• Between 1904-1914 the United States
completed the Panama Canal:
– Dug more than 200,000,000 cubic yards of earth.
– Poured ~2 million cubic yards of concrete.
– Built the world’s largest man made lake, and the
world’s largest ship locks.
– Spent more than $375 million.
Open for business
• The Panama Canal opened on
August 14th, 1914.
– S.S. Ancon
• First ship through the Panama Canal
– Since it’s opening more than 900,000 ships have
passed through the Panama Canal.