7.2 Imperialism: Debates

Explain the similarities and differences in attitudes about the nation's proper role in the world.

William H. Seward

secretary of state and powerful advocate of expansion

Monroe Doctrine (from earlier periods)

opposed European interference in western hemisphere

purchase of Alaska

1867

Who did US buy Alaska from?

Russia

nickname for purchase of Alaska

Seward’s folly

nickname for Hawaii

Sandwich Islands

Reason why some wanted to annex Hawaii

Control of Pearl Harbor for economic benefits

Which president opposed annexation of Hawaii?

Grover Cleveland

Pearl Harbor benefits

* pitstop


* naval presence
* trade

James G. Blaine

Harrison’s Secretary of State who kept up tradition of protecting Latin American countries from European ambitions

Pan American Conference (1889)

reps from various Western nations met together to form permanent organization to promote cooperation on trade and other issues

Richard Olney

Cleveland’s Secretary of State who helped enforce Monroe Doctrine on Venezuela dispute

Venezuela Boundary Dispute

British colony of Guiana

US got involved due to Monroe Doctrine

Turning point in US-Britain relations (good)

“New Imperialism”

this period of countries expanding

Alfred Thayer Mahan

wrote a book that emphasized the importance of naval power and influenced imperialism

Darwinism

Survival of the fittest

Reverend Josiah Strong

believed Protestants had religious duty to civilize other lands