Macro Concepts
Conflict-problem or issue that is
controversial and can cause
problems without compromise.
Power-authority of a government to
carry out the law.
Resources- items such as wood,
metal and oil that can be used
to make finished products.
Government-an organized group of
people who create rules and
laws to control citizens in a
nation.
Leadership-the method of setting
examples for others to follow.
Micro Concepts
Imperialism- system of
government that has a larger
more powerful country taking
over weaker smaller countries.
Nationalism- extreme pride and
feeling of patriotism for one’s
country.
Markets-places where goods and
services are bought and sold.
Spheres of Influence-areas of
territory that a powerful country
controls outside of its borders.
Social Darwinism- belief that
wealthy people have their status
because of their hard work,
intelligence, education. Poor
are that way because of poor
work ethic and laziness.
What is Imperialism?
•
Root word is Empire.
•
An empire is a powerful nation with
powerful leadership that seeks to acquire
and control weaker nations.
•
Sometimes the more powerful nations
allow the weaker nations to rule
themselves [ex. Ancient Rome].
•
Most of the time the Empire assimilates
the weaker nation into the Empire and
forces it into submission [ex. Soviet
Union].
American “Imperialism”

Some Americans believed it was the
U.S. government’s duty to save foreign
countries from themselves [religiously
and economically].

Reverend Josiah Strong preached
that “we must Christianize them,” by
spreading our values to the “backward”
people of the world.

Former U.S. Navy officer Alfred
Mahan believed the U.S. should build
and maintain a powerful navy to assert
world dominance. Mahan gave many
examples of world powers who used
such a tactic.
Admiral Alfred Mahan
American Jingoism

Emboldened by American war hawks and
sensationalist newspapers America
became more aggressive militarily.

America entered into a policy of
jingoism that stressed U.S. military
power and territorial expansion abroad.

The immediate result was the acquisition
of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam and the
Philippines from the Spanish-American
War.

What was the problem with this policy?

The U.S. created more enemies and
envious foreign competitors.
Anglo-Saxon Superiority

There were many Americans who believed white people
were “better” than non-whites.

Because of superior standard of living and Christian
beliefs many people believed Americans were justified in
taking over less developed or civilized countries.
The White Man’s Burden
 Building on what Josiah Strong preached many
Americans believed it was the responsibility of white
Americans to spread Christianity, democracy and
American goods to foreign countries.
 If white America did not do it no one else was capable of
doing it according to this way of thinking.
Assignment: American Imperialism
Part 1
Part 2
Split into 2 separate but equal
groups.
Write one page letter to President
William McKinley.
One moderator [who controls
how much time each person
has to speak his mind or
respond].
You must use specific examples
from the lesson to
complement or criticize him
for U.S. foreign policy relating
to Imperialism and Jingoism
One side embraces the side of
Jingoism and Imperialism.
Other side is against jingoism
and imperialism.
6-7 minutes to plan
Moderator then allows both sides
to present arguments.
Images Sources
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

http://www.spanamwar.com/cartoon.JPG
http://abagond.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/whitemansburden.jpg
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Big-Business.jpg