Imperialism: 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?


Hawaii offered a stopping point for American ships en route to East Asia and the islands' rich volcanic soil was ideal for growing profitable tropical crops such as sugar,pineapples,and coffe. Cleveland believed that annexation would corrupt traditional American values of freedom and equality. I agree.


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


America's self-image,the values that shaped the U.S.,immigration,urban growth,agriculture. The immigrants themselves were broadening America's ethnic diversity. By the end of the nineteenth century,one-third of Americans were city dwellers. Agriculture began to slip from its central place in American society and by the end of the 19th century,manufacturing had overtaken agriculture as the leading source of national wealth.


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


More than 5 hundred banks and 16 thousand businesses went bankrupt. Also millions of Americans lost their jobs. This mostly effected farmers because the depression worsened a slump in income that had started in 1888.


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?


Resourcefulness,bravery,pragmatism,ingenuity,individualism,egalitarianism,and patriotism.


5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?

The senators and governors felt that the time was ripe and the United States had territorial control from east to west,Native Americans had been quelled,and the issue of slavery had been resolved.

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

They believed that expansion would help the United States gain greater political power. The imperialists believed that America's mission was to expand across the continent and they held that the course of history was pointing the U.S abroad.

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?

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

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.

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?