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Imperialism. America’s path to Empire. Reasons for Imperialism. Need to increase exports Expand or explode ( population increase, wealth, industrial production) Labor Violence and agrarian unrest
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Imperialism • America’s path to Empire
Reasons for Imperialism • Need to increase exports • Expand or explode ( population increase, wealth, industrial production) • Labor Violence and agrarian unrest • Yellow Journalism ( Joseph Pullitzer and Wm. Randolph Hearst)- story with and element of truth blown out of proportion to sensationalize and sell papers.
Reasons cont. • Josiah Strong : spread American religion and values to backward people ( “White man’s burden”) • Darwinism • Prestige: in order to be considered a great power • Alfred Mahan : control of the sea was the key to world domination
First Example of Imperialism • Hawaii • American sugar planters and fruit companies had invested heavily in Hawaii. • Hawaii could be used as a fueling station on route to Asia • American planters assisted by US troops overthrew Queen Liliuokalani
Events in Cuba • Cuba ruled by the Spanish • Insurrection vs. Spanish authorities (insurrectos) • Spanish general Weyler used reconcentration camps so that the civilians would not be able to assist the insurrectos • Yellow Journalists , Pullitzer and Hearst tried to outdo the other with atrocity stories to gain headlines and sell papers. NY World and NY Journal • President Mckinnley sent the Battleship Maine to Havana harbor to protect American lives and property. • Maine mysteriously explodes ( 260 killed) Americans blamed the Spanish as a result of the activity of Yellow Journalists.