Imperialism: The Origins of 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?

1) marines and plantation owners overthrew the queen because they supported Hawaii's annexation. Hawaii was a valuable prize because of its rich volcanic soil, and its geographic significance. Grover Cleaveland did not support Hawaii's new government because Hawaii was a soveirgen nation. He withdrew the treaty for the anexation. It is true that conquering a soveireing nation would hurt the national image. I agree with the quote.

2. Identify five important changes that transformed American in the nineteenth century. How did these five changes affect Americans?

2) Urbanization, trade, immigration, westward expansion, and the depressioon of 1893.
Immigration changed America by increasing its cultural diversity. Traditionally, most immigrants came from northern Europe, but during this time immigrants were coming from Eastern and southern Europe. With these new immigrants came the growth of cities, America was becoming more and more industrial. By the end of the 19th century, 1/3 of Americans lived in cities. Westward expansion made America bigger, and increased its wealth due to the amount of resources in the West. Trade became more important as industry became imoportant. America needed to find international markerts for its surpluses. The depression of 1893 (caused by the unexpected bankrupcy of two major railroad companies) ended a lot of this hope however, and showed that the future might not be so great after all.

3. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?

3) Laborers worried about losing their jobs, city-dwellers about insecurity, and plant owners about losing money. The depression deepedned the slump in farmer's pay as well. many farmers were getting into more and more debt, and laborers were struggling with lower pay, while business owners saw increasing porfits before the depression.

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?

4) Resourcefullness, bravery, pragmatism, ingenuity, individualism, patriotism, and egalitarianism were some of the values Americans attached to the frontier. They feared with no more vast, empty lands to settle, and no more untapped resources, America (which was largely based on expansion) would stagnate.

5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?

5) Americans needed to find new markets, and since America is placed right between both oceans, we could sell goods to both Asia and Europe.

6. What policy did expansionists say would ensure the economic success of the United States? What did imperialists say?

6) Expansionist believed that America needed a few ports and outposts in foreign countries (like the carribean islands and Hawaii) to increase trade, but imperialists believed the only way for the US to be economically successful would be to create an over-seas empire.

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?

7) Social Darwinism was the belief that the fittest race (which were the whites)should dominate other races. "Scientific" racism was the belief that some races were better than others, and it was porved "scientifically." Both of these ideas promoted imperialism, because if Americans are fittest, they have the right to conquer inferior countries. These theories are not still used today.

8. What did many Protestant churches say was America’s role in the world?

8) To spread the Anglo-saxon race (and with it, Christianity) to all corners of the globe. Because they believed it was God's plan.

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.

9) America became involved with several Latin American countires to ensure politcal stability, and maintain America's economic influence abroad. America became involved in Samoa because it was an important stopping point on the way to Australia. Mackinly finally annexed Hawaii because the Japanese started getting agitated that we restricted their immigration, so we claimed Hawaii once and for all. America became involved with Chile and Brazil to quell revolutions, and Nicarouga to quell disturbances.

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?

10) The US didn't want Britain involved in Venezuela because it had rich deposits of gold, and if Britain made Venezuela a colony, it would get in the way of US commerce in that part of the world. Secretary of State Olney invoked the Monroe docterine.