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Terms and People
Terms and People(continued)
Terms and People(continued)
How and why did the United States take a more active role in world affairs?
For most of its early history, the United States played a small role in world affairs. But in the late 1800s, some began calling for the U.S. to join the ranks of the world’s major powers.
Eventually, the United States abandoned isolationism and began to acquire influence and territories outside its continental borders.
The mid-1800s through the early 1900s was an “Age of Imperialism.”
Colonial extractive economies were based on removing raw materials. The imperialist nations built strong armies and navies to protect their interests.
There were strong economic incentives for the U.S. to also adopt a policy of imperialism to obtain raw materials like rubber, iron, and oil.
American entrepreneurs also sought new overseas markets for their manufactured and agricultural products.
In The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, historian Alfred T. Mahan argued that all great nations owed their greatness to naval power.
He urged construction of a fleet of steel ships, acquisition of overseas bases, and construction of a canal across Central America.
The U.S. eventually followed all of his recommendations.
Imperialists justified their actions based on beliefs about their own racial, national, and cultural superiority.
Social Darwinism applied Darwin’s theories of natural selection to societies. In a competitive world, only the fittest nations survive.
Americans extended their belief in Manifest Destiny overseas, justifying imperialism as God’s will.
Historian Frederick J. Turner argued that the frontier served as a “safety valve,”siphoning off potential discontent in the U.S.
Turner’s followers urged overseas expansion as America’s next frontierto avert future discontent in the U.S.
In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
In 1898 Congress voted toannex Hawaii.
The United States expanded overseas after 1850.
Commodore Matthew Perry’s fleet entered Tokyo Bay persuading Japan to trade with the U.S.
Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia.
The U.S. obtained Midway Islands in the Pacific.
Congress approved the annexation of Hawaii.
The Spanish American War gave the U.S. control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam.
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