Chapter
20 Section 1
Objectives
• Describe early attempts by the United States to
expand in the Pacific.
• List the reasons many Americans came to favor
expansion.
• Explain how the United States gained the
territories of Samoa and Hawaii.
• Describe how the United States protected its
trading rights in China.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
Terms and People
• Matthew C. Perry– Commodore of the Navy
who led a squadron of U.S. warships to Japan to
open trade with the nation
• isolationism– policy of avoiding involvement in
other countries’ affairs
• imperialism– building empires by imposing
political and economic control over peoples
around the world
• Frederick Jackson Turner– historian who
argued that the western frontier defined
American history
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
Terms and People (Continued)
• Liliuokalani– Queen of Hawaii who advocated
for Hawaiian independence
• sphere of influence– areas where another
nation has economic and political control
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
How did the United States acquire new
territory and expand trade in the AsiaPacific region?
In the mid-1800s, the United States was
ready to take on new challenges.
Finding new
trading partners
Eyes on the Pacific
Acquiring new
land
Chapter
20 Section 1
U.S. merchants longed to trade with Japan, which had
blocked outside trade for 250 years.
In 1853,
Matthew C.
Perry led U.S.
warships into
Tokyo Bay.
The Japanese were awed by Perry’s ships. In
1854, Japan agreed to trade with the U.S.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William Seward
arranged the purchase of Alaska from Russia.
• He hoped to open
trade in Asia and the
Pacific.
• Critics thought the
land was worthless.
They called the deal
“Seward’s Folly.”
Alaska turned out to be rich in gold and other resources.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
Until the late 1800s, American foreign policy
differed from that of many European nations.
America
The U.S. generally
pursued a policy of
isolationism. It did
not get involved in
other nations’ affairs.
Eyes on the Pacific
European Nations
Many nations
undertook a policy of
imperialism. They
wanted to expand into
new territories.
Chapter
20 Section 1
In the late 1800s, America was gripped by a
new spirit of expansionism.
Supporters made several arguments about the
benefits of expansionism.
Promote
economic
growth
Expansionism
Eyes on the Pacific
Spread
American
values
Chapter
20 Section 1
Causes and Effects of U.S. Expansionism
Causes
Effects
• Western frontier closes.
• European nations acquire
overseas colonies and
compete for resources
and markets.
• U.S. industry needs to
acquire raw materials
and find new markets in
which to sell its
products.
• Some in the U.S. want to
spread American culture
and values.
Eyes on the Pacific
• U.S. navy grows in size and
power.
• U.S. gains control of territories
in the Caribbean and the
Pacific.
• U.S. issues Open Door Policy
(all nations can trade with
China).
• U.S. builds Panama Canal.
• U.S. sends troops to Latin
American nations to protect its
interests.
Chapter
20 Section 1
U.S. expansionists expressed interest in many Pacific
Island chains, including Samoa.
Three nations
fought for Samoa.
U.S.
Britain
Samoa
In 1899, the U.S.
and Germany
divided Samoa.
Germany
The people of Samoa had no say in the matter.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
Americans also eyed Hawaii, because its location was
ideal for a military outpost between the U.S. and Asia.
1820
American planters came to Hawaii and set
up huge sugar plantations.
1887
Planters forced the Hawaiian king to
accept a new constitution.
1891
Liliuokalani became Hawaii’s queen. She
advocated for Hawaiian independence.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
In 1893, American planters organized an uprising
that ultimately led the U.S. to annex Hawaii.
A U.S. official sent 50
Marines to Hawaii.
The Marines overthrew
the queen.
President Cleveland
declared the revolt
illegal.
Eyes on the Pacific
Hawaii became a U.S.
territory in 1898.
President McKinley
signed a treaty to
annex Hawaii.
Chapter
20 Section 1
Expansion across
the Pacific
allowed the U.S.
to gain
resources, open
new markets,
and encourage
trade.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
In the late 1800s, China was weakened by war.
Other nations took advantage of this weakness.
European powers and
Japan forced China to
grant them land and
trading rights.
They divided China
into spheres of
influence.
U.S. Secretary of State wanted to keep an
“open door” in China. He wanted to preserve
trade with China.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
In 1900, the U.S. helped end the Boxer Rebellion
in China.
• The Boxers
opposed foreigners
in China.
• They staged a
violent rebellion in
1900.
The U.S. and other powers sent troops to end the
rebellion.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
To prevent the other powers from seizing Chinese
territory, Secretary Hay issued a second Open
Door note.
Open Door Policy
America intended to preserve
open trade with other nations.
China should not be broken up
into separate pieces.
Eyes on the Pacific
Chapter
20 Section 1
Section Review
QuickTake Quiz
Eyes on the Pacific
Know It, Show It Quiz