Becoming a World Power

1. Becoming a World Power Copy the words in BLUE

2. Reasons for American Expansion • Imperialism: one people ruling or controlling other peoples • When America became a country, we did not look to set up colonies overseas. • Involvement with other countries/lands could lead to war. • George Washington believed the U.S. could not handle a war so early.

3. Reasons for American Expansion • Late 1800s: • Nationalism: If the U.S. wanted to be a world power, we needed our own colonies. • Social Darwinism: The belief that American democracy was the best form of government and would spread throughout the world. Only the strongest survive – even governments

4. Expansion (cont.) • Foreign Markets: Farming and industry believed expansion would increase American money ($$$) • 1898: U.S. exported more than it imported. • Farmers wanted to sell products overseas. NATIONALISM, SOCIAL DARWINISM, FOREIGN MARKETS AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

5. Additions to the U.S. • 1854 – Matthew Perry opens up relations with Japan after 200 years of isolation • 1867 – U.S. (William Seward) buys Alaska from Russia • 1867 – U.S. annexes (adds) Midway Island • Wanted to use island as a “midway” point between America and Asia • 1898 – U.S. annexes Hawaii after a revolt led by American farmers there

6. 1898 – Spanish American War • Causes of the war • 1) Americans wanted to help Cuba win their revolution for independence from Spain • 2) Yellow journalism = newspapers made up sensational stories (appealed to emotions) about what was going on in Cuba to sell more papers (Hearst & Pulitzer) • 3) U.S.S. Maine blew up in Havana Harbor, Cuba – newspapers blamed it on Spain

8. 1898 – Spanish American War • The WAR • Fought in Cuba (on land) and in the Philippines (naval battles) • American Navy destroyed the Spanish ships • Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders group up San Juan Hill • Most fighting actually done by Cuban Revolutionaries and the African American infantry • Most casualties died from malaria (not bullets)

10. Peace Talks • Peace Treaty with Spain • Treaty talks held in Paris • Cuba gets her independence • 1898 – U.S. receives Puerto Rico and Guam in Spanish peace agreement and pays for the Philippines ($20 million) • After buying the Philippines: people turn to fighting for independence from the U.S. (5,000 lives lost)

11. Additions to the U.S. (cont.) • 1899 – U.S. annexes Samoan Islands • 1899 – Secretary of State, John Hay, asked countries to have an “Open Door Policy” with China • Every country should be allowed to trade with China • 1904 - 1914 – U.S. takes over the Canal Zone in Panama (control over the canal returned to Panama in 2000)