Imperialism Flashcards
Expansionism
Policy of extending a nations boundaries
Isolationism
A country that wants to stay out of world affairs
Interests
Freedom, money, land
What is up with the opening of Japan
America conducted foreign trade to Europe and Asian countries such as China
Japanese rulers feared outsiders and cut themselves off to the rest of the world in the 1600s
Any shipwrecked sailors who were wrecked on shores of the shores of Japan were not allowed to leave
Americans wanted Japan to open its parts to trade
1853-54 President Milliard Fillmore sent commodore Matthew Perry to Japan to ask Japan to open trade relations with the US
Gunboat Diplomacy
Using military forces to frighten foreigners into signing agreements
What is with the Treaty of Kanagawa?
Japan accepts to help shipwrecked sailors
It opened up two parts to American trade
Japan begins to become an industrial nation.
Imperialism
The policy of powerful countries seeking to control the economic and political affairs of weaker countries
What are the reasons for Imperialism?
Industrialized nations needed raw materials and new markets
Racism
Competition
Racism
Belief that one race is superior to another. Many Europeans felt they had a duty to spread their religion and culture to people who were less civilized
Competition
European countries took over areas and closed their markets to other countries
What is with America seeking empire?
Many felt that the American economy would collapse unless the U.S gained foreign markets
Naval Captain Alfred T. Mahan wrote the influence of sea power upon history- the book argued that the prosperity of America depended on trade and a bigger navy was needed to protect merchant ships.
The need to expand the U.S. Navy and to acquire naval bases throughout the world
What is up with Hawaii?
Rich in soil, warm climate, and plentiful rainfall, allows farmers to grow crops all year round
American missionaries were eager to convert Hawaiians to Christianity.
Americans had set up large sugar plantations. As the sugar industry grew so did the power of american planters
American planters Rebelled against Queen Liliukalani, the U.S. Marines were sent in to protect american lives
Queen Liliukalani gives up her throne. Hawaii was annexed in 1898
What is up with Seward looking to the pacific?
Secretary of State William Seward wanted the U.S. to dominate trade in the pacific.
Seward persuaded congress to annex midway island
Seward helps to buy Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars
“Seward’s Folly”, many Americans thought of Alaska as a barren land of icy mountains and frozen fish
Alaska was rich in gold, timber, copper, petroleum, natural gas, and the lowlands were suited for farming
Annex
Add on or take over
What is up with the Boxer Rebellion?
1800’s, Britain, France, Germany, RussiaX and Japan carved spheres of influence in China.
The U.S. Was eager to gain a share of the China trade
Many Chinese resisted foreign influence, some formed a secret society called the Righteous Fists or Harmony, or boxers.
