The Pros and Cons of Imperialism
At the Turn of the 20th Century
US History
Three Factors Fueled American Imperialism
1.)
2.)
3.)
Arguments FOR Imperialism:
• The US needed to continue its frontier
experience overseas
– Continental frontier was not longer adequate
for the population.
– US needed “elbow room”
Arguments FOR Imperialism
(continued)
• US belief in cultural superiority
**
**
Arguments FOR Imperialism
(continued)
• Imperialism was the product of strains in
the society due to industrialization
– Increase in productivity=need for new markets
to expand into
– US needs more natural resources
Arguments FOR Imperialism
(continued)
• Social Darwinism is a prominent belief
• -
Anti-Imperialism Arguments
• Goes against beliefs of Christianity to
force people to “follow suit”
•
•
Anti-Imperialism (continued)
• Stay out of European affairs
– Use the two oceans to protect us
– Stay isolated
• Imperialism= tyranny
– US was a colony of Great Britain once
Anti-Imperialism (continued)
• There is no need to expand overseas
– US is a vast nation
– Plenty of natural resources
– Plenty of markets for goods
Discussion Questions
• How was American Imperialism beneficial
to the United States?
• What were some consequences of
American Imperialism?
• Does modern American Imperialism exist
today? If so what are the pro’s and con’s?
Hawaii
• Crossroads of the Pacific
• Queen Liliuokalani – Hawaii
for the Hawaiians!!!!
• Hawaiian annexation
ceremony was in 1898
• US intervention = long
lasting resentment among
native Hawaiians.
Philippines
1901- United States ends Filipino Revolt –
after 3 years at a cost of $600 Million
-Emilio Aguinaldo Leader of Filipino
uprising
Puerto Rico
1900 - Foraker Act.
 PR became an “unincorporated territory.”
 Citizens of PR, not of the US.
 Import duties on PR goods
1901-1903  the Insular Cases.
 Constitutional rights were not automatically
extended to territorial possessions.
 Congress had the power to decide these
rights.
 Import duties laid down by the Foraker Act
were legal!
Panama
TR in Panama
(Construction begins in 1904)
Panama Canal
Cuba
Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the McKinley
administration.
Imperialist and American nationalist.
Criticized President
McKinley as having the backbone of a chocolate
éclair!
Resigns his position to fight in Cuba.
Cuba
Remember the Maine
and to Hell with Spain!
Funeral for Maine
victims in Havana
American Imperialism Video
• For an overview of American Imperialism
please copy and paste this link into the
browser:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfsfoF
qsFk4