Seeking New Frontiers
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Think about the word empire and where you have seen it used before.
Retail empire in terms of business and science fiction movies
Imperialism is the policy extending a nation’s rule over other countries and
territories
The search for markets and materials drove imperialism
Are there empires existing in the world today?
There are no formal empires existing today, but some countries exert enough political
or economic power to control other countries.
Changing a Foreign Policy
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What did the United States do to open trade with Japan?
Today we are going to learn what the U.S. did
Who is the Secretary of State for the U.S. ?
John Kerry
Why is foreign policy important?
Setting our nation's foreign policy is an important role of the federal government.
The U.S. Department of State works with foreign governments, international organizations,
and people in other countries to bring them together into arrangements to promote peace,
prosperity, and democratic governments.
Changing Foreign Policy
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"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial
relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible."
George Washington
What advice is Washington offering in this excerpt from his Farewell Address?
that extending commercial relations, or trade, with foreign nations is expected, but that
political involvement with nations should be avoided
What different meanings did people draw from Washington’s words?
Some people thought “steer clear of permanent alliances” meant isolationism or
noninvolvement in world affairs; other people believed that interaction with other countries
through trade was not a permanent alliance, so Washington was not against it.
Changing Foreign Policy
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What is isolationism?
noninvolvement in world affairs
After Washington left office, the nation has expanded west and south.
Define expansionism.
the belief that a country should grow larger : a policy of increasing a country's size by
expanding its territory.
After reaching both coasts, Americans began looking overseas for new frontiers.
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American merchants had already begun trading with China by this time.
Merchants wanted to expand trade to Japan, who practiced a long-standing policy
of isolationism.
Commodore Matthew Perry traveled to Tokyo Bay in 1853.
He steamed into the bay with four powerful warships along with a letter from the
president
How do you think the Japanese felt about the sight of four armored battleships in
Tokyo Bay?
Firm letter asking Japanese to open ports with U.S. trade
Perry told them he would return in two months for an answer
He returned in 1854 with a fleet of warships (intimidation)
Japan agreed with the resolution making the Treaty of Kanagawa
This agreement opened up two separate ports for American trade
This was just the start of American involvement in Asia
Changing Foreign Policy
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How did this agreement benefit both Japan and America?
How do you think Perry’s warships affected Japan's decision to trade with the
United States?
The Japanese likely felt intimidated by the warships, and may have thought they had
to accept the trade relationship.
What were the reasons that made expansionism a driving force for Americans?
Most of the land between the Atlantic and the Pacific was settled; Americans wanted
to open up new frontiers overseas and trade with Asian nations.
How did changes in ship construction help the United States expand its influence?
Steam-powered, steel-hulled ships could be used in a display of force such as
Commodore Perry used to open up Japanese ports to trade.
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An Age of Imperialism
How did Alaska become a territory of the United States?
Video
What were the achievements of William Seward?
He arranged the purchase of Alaska in 1867 as Secretary of State under President
Lincoln
What were the Open Door policies, and who developed them?
Developed by Secretary of State John Jay, the policies opened the door to trade
between the U.S. and China through the negotiation with European powers.
What is imperialism?
the creation of large empires by gaining political and economic control over weaker
nations
Visions of America
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After the Civil War some Americans also wanted to build an empire.
By adding new lands to the U.S. the empire would only grow stronger giving
America more power and putting it higher in the peaking order throughout the
world
Seward had a vision that consisted of the following
improved transportation and communication that would link many parts of the new
empire—a canal across Central America this would link the two great oceans
together, a transcontinental railroad system, and the telegraph
The Purchase of Alaska
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Map and Image AK and Denali
Based on the map do you feel as thought the purchase was a good idea?
Why do you think Russia may have been willing to sell AK to the U.S.?
Probably didn’t have any idea of the amount of resources it had. Most people
considered it just an icy and barren. Plus they wanted to get rid of it.
Why did Seward feel this purchase was a good idea.
The presence of valuable resources, the elimination of Russia’s presence in North
America, the expansion of the size of the country, the bargain price
The Purchase of Alaska
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Why do you think people at the time might have referred to Alaska as an "icebox"?
The cold climate resembles the inside of an icebox. It also borders the Arctic Ocean.
Why did critics call the Alaska purchase "Seward's Folly"?
A folly is something foolish or silly. Some Americans thought the purchase was
ridiculous.
America did purchase the land from Russia for $7.2 million dollars
1912 Alaska became a territory of the United States
“Lifting Up” the World
• Some American’s felt strongly about imperialism with sharing Christianity to
people that may have seemed to be uncivilized
• Josiah Strong was a major proponent of seeing this through he felt that
America needed to bring the religion and culture to places like Africa, Asia,
and Latin America
American Interest in Latin America
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1800’s America had a strong trading relationship with Latin America
Merchant’s wanted more
1884 James G Blaine a republican and nominee for president declared the U.S.
should improve and expand its trade with the nations of America
As Secretary of State Blaine invited members of Latin America to attend a
conference in Washington D.C.
This led to a Pan-American Union promoting cooperation among member nations
• How was the thinking of Strong and Blaine alike?
• Both men favored imperialism. Strong believed Americans should spread their
religion and culture to other areas of the world. Blaine wanted to improve and
expand trade with the nations of Latin America.
• Do people in the United States today share these or similar points of view?
• Church groups still send missionaries to other continents such as Africa or that
trade with other nations is still important.
A Stronger Navy
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CPT. Alfred Thayer Mahan felt that improving the navy’s sea power was crucial
“Sea Power,” Mahan said, “is essential to the greatness of every splendid people.”
The U.S. would be able to use its colonies as bases to refuel ships
The U.S. Navy shifted from wooden ships in the 1800’s to steel hulls
By the early 1900’s U.S. navy had everything it needed to expand its role in foreign
affairs
The powerful ships however, also meant that there was a need for a wide-range
network of ports
• Does CPT Mahan’s comment about sea power hold true for the modern
world today?
• Technological advances, such as air power, have been made today.
• What factors led to imperialism?
• The desire to expand U.S. trade and power, a desire to spread Christianity and
democracy, and a stronger navy
Closing
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Why did the United States began expanding its influence during the late
1800s?
What was the mood of the country at the time and some reasons the United
States felt it was ready to become a world power?
• Lesson 1 Guided Practice
• Quiz tomorrow 