Imperialism: The Origins of a Global Power

Wed., Oct. 28 Homework

In the Imperialism packet given out in class today, please read pages 1 - 11 and answer the following 10 questions. Make sure you provide sufficient detail in your answers so that you can use them as you conduct research next week. Copy and paste them into your blog.

Title: Imperialism: The Origins of a Global Power Labels: Imperialism, McKinley, TR, Hawaii, S-A_War, Guam, Philippines, Mahan, Navy

Your answers are due by 12:25 p.m. on Oct. 30.

Questions for Introduction and Part I - The Origins of a Global Power

1. Why did American plantation owners and U.S. Marines topple Hawaii’s queen in 1893? Why was Hawaii considered to be a valuable prize? What was President Grover Cleveland’s reaction? Do you agree or disagree with his quote on page 1?
The American plantation owners rid Hawaii of their queen so they could gain full acsess to the islands resources and inhabitants. Hawaii was valuable because of its pluthra of resources. Grover Cleaveland feels that if a sovereign state is in jeapordy it is the U.S's duty to step in and help. I agree to an extent because i feel if the state is in a life or death situation then the U.S should step in but if they are getting along fine then why bother them.

2. Identify five important changes that transformed American in the nineteenth century. How did these five changes affect Americans?
Five important changes that occured in the America during the nineteenth century are immigration, urban growth, trade, 1893 depression, and the "frontier". Immigration expanded the U.S's work force and creating ethnic diversity. Urban growth changes america because it caused agriculture, the main industry, to slow slip away from its center role in society. Trade brought the U.S to a world power position. The Depression caused workers to realize their vulnerability to the economy. Finally expanision and the frontier showed that america wanted to expand beyond the horizon and exploit the land to its full potential.

3. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?
The depression forced the group that sufffered the most were the workers who feared losing their jobs thus forcing them to strike.

4. What were the values many Americans attached to the frontier? Why did many Americans fear that the closing of the frontier would harm America’s national character?
The frontier meant america had the integrity to expand. Closing the frontier would mean that america would be completed and we couldnt spread the value and good we were spreading initially.

5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Because it would fuel economic growth.

6. What policy did expansionists say would ensure the economic success of the United States? What did imperialists say?
Expantionist believe that involvment in oversea trade would ensure economic sucess while imperialists said that anexing countries would.

7. How did the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism? How were these pseudo-scientific theories used to justify racist policies and imperialism? Are they still used today?
Social darwinism contributed because it taught that America was the superior and we needd to educate others in our ways; basically imperialism. They were used to justify racism because they were supposedly scientifically proven and no one argues with the facts. The ideologies are used but quite subtly today.

8. What did many Protestant churches say was America’s role in the world?
That the Anglosaxins (America) were created by God to someday take over the world. It was our job to spread civilized ways.

9. Why did the United States become involved in several Latin American nations in the nineteenth century? Summarize why the United States became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and other Latin American nations.
The United states became involved with these many countries for basically two reasons; a feeling of sympathy for those opressed and resources The US could exploit.

10. Why was the United States concerned about British involvement in Venezuela? What concept did U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney invoke in response?
The U.S's concern was that European countries would begin planting colonies in Venezuela. Olney provoked the Monroe Doctrine which would attempt to prevent britain from taking any more countries.