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Why did America join the
Imperialistic Club at the end of the
19th Century?
The Imperialists
Great Britain
France
Belgium
Germany
Japan
USA??
Growth of Imperialism
By 1890, the United States was eager to join
the competition for new territory.
Supporters of expansion denied that the
United States sought to annex foreign lands.
Yet annexation did take place.
1. Economic Reasons
 American farmers had produced a
surplus of goods
 Needed new markets to sell stuff
 Needed raw materials for factories
……………..Solution= foreign trade
2.Military Reasons
Wanted to build up American
navy
Defend peacetime shipping
lanes
Needed to establish naval bases
in Pacific and Caribbean
U.S. became 3rd largest naval
power
Alfred T Mahan
*Urged the building of
a stronger navy with
bases in Hawaii, Cuba
and the Philippines
*Also urged building a
canal across Central
America for faster
shipping
*”The Influence of Sea
Power on History”
3.Nationalistic
• Some Americans believed the
philosophy of Social Darwinism (survival
of fittest) some nations were superior
to others
• Manifest Destiny- must continue
expansion
• racial superiority to justify imperialism
God was training the Anglo-Saxon race
It was our moral duty to spread our culture to others
4.Humanitarian
•Educated, religious, political believed it was
our duty to spread our civilization….
• Law, medicine, religion
The Fruits of Imperialism
Expanding U.S. Interests
Chapter 17, Section 1
The Monroe • United States declared itself
Doctrine
neutral in European wars
• warned other nations to stay out
of the Western Hemisphere.
• Doctrine was interpreted to mean
a more active role to protect the
interests of the United States.
Arguments for U.S. Expansion
Promoting • Needed new markets in other countries.
Economic
Growth
Protecting • navy with bases around the world would protect
American
U.S. Interests..
Security
Preserving • Spreading Christianity was a noble pursuit.
American
Spirit
Alaska- a mistake?
Many American’s thought it was foolish for
the US to buy ($7.2 million) Alaska from
Russia- too far away and unknown
“Seward’s Folly” “Seward’s Icebox”
1896- Gold was discovered in the Klondike
Region
Alaska turned out to be so profitable that
many felt we should search for new lands
across the seas