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American Imperial Expansion (1898-1945)

May 8, 2025

Heimler's History: AP U.S. History Unit 7 - Imperial Expansion (1898-1945)

Introduction

  • Time Period: 1898-1945.
  • Focus: American imperial expansion.

Definition of Imperialism

  • Expansion of one country’s political, economic, and military influence over another.
  • Considered an expansion of empire.

Early American Imperialism

  • Purchase of Alaska (1867):
    • Purchased from Russia via William Seward for $7.2 million.
    • Initially viewed as "Seward's Folly" due to perceived lack of value.
    • Gold discovery in 1898 increased its perceived value.

Drivers of American Imperialism

  • Historical Context:

    • American territorial expansion tradition.
    • Influence of Frederick Jackson Turner's ideas on the closing of the frontier.
  • Imperialist Motivations:

    1. Access to valuable raw materials (e.g., gold in Alaska).
    2. New markets for American goods (manufactured and agricultural).
    3. Social Darwinism:
      • Justified expansion through the "survival of the fittest" concept.
    4. Global presence and influence:
      • Desire to compete with European empires.
  • Racial and Religious Justifications:

    • Josiah Strong’s ideas: White Anglo-Saxon superiority and Christian duty to "civilize."
  • Military Influence:

    • Alfred Thayer Mahan’s "The Influence of Sea Power on History":
      • Strong navy essential for global power.
      • Led to approval for new steel fleet.
      • Need for strategic naval bases in Pacific and Caribbean.

Anti-Imperialist Arguments

  • Self-Determination:

    • Nations should decide their own governance, echoing colonial anti-British sentiments.
  • Isolationism:

    • Tradition based on George Washington’s farewell warning against foreign entanglement.
  • Racial Concerns:

    • Question of whether the Constitution "follows the flag":
      • Concerns about granting citizenship and rights to annexed territories.
      • Underlying racial motivations to prevent expansion.

Conclusion

  • Overview of imperialist vs. anti-imperialist debates.
  • Resources for further study and review available through Heimler's materials.