[SOLVED] Imperialism and America

One American’s StoryImperialism and AmericaIn 1893 Queen Liliuokalani (lE-lCQE-I-kE-läPnC) realized that her reign in Hawaii had come to an end. More than 160 U.S. sailors and marines stood ready to aid the haoles (white for- eigners) who planned to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. In an eloquent statement of protest, the proud monarch sur- rendered to the superior force of the United States.A PERSONAL VOICE QUEEN LILIUOKALANI “ I, Liliuokalani, . . . do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against myself and the constitutional govern- ment of the Hawaiian Kingdom. . . . Now, to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life, I do under this protest . . . yield my authority until such time as the Government of the United States shall . . . undo the action of its representatives and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands.”—quoted in Those Kings and Queens of Old HawaiiU.S. ambassador to Hawaii John L. Stevens informed the State Department, “The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and this is the golden hour for the United States to pluck it.” The annexation of Hawaii was only one of the goals of America’s empire builders in the late 19th century.American Expansionism Americans had always sought to expand the size of their nation, and throughout the 19th century they extended their control toward the Pacific Ocean. However, by the 1880s, many American leaders had become convinced that the United States should join the imperialist powers of Europe and establish colonies over- seas. Imperialism—the policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories—was already a trend around the world.Terms & NamesTerms & NamesMAIN IDEAMAIN IDEA•Queen Liliuokalani•imperialism •Alfred T. Mahan•William Seward •Pearl Harbor •Sanford B. DoleBeginning in1867 and continuing through the century, global competition caused the United States to expand.During this time period, the United States acquired Hawaii and Alaska, both of which became states in 1959.WHY IT MATTERS NOWWHY IT MATTERS NOW?Hawaii’s “Queen Lil” announced that if restored to power, she would behead those who had conspired to depose her.342 CHAPTER 1342-345-Chapter 10 10/21/02 5:09 PM Page 342GLOBAL COMPETITION European nations had been establishing colonies for centuries. In the late 19th century Africa had emerged as a prime target of European expansionism. By the early 20th century, only two countries in all of Africa—Ethiopia and Liberia—remained independent.Imperialists also competed for territory in Asia, espe- cially in China. In its late-19th-century reform era, Japan replaced its old feudal order with a strong central govern- ment. Hoping that military strength would bolster industri- alization, Japan joined European nations in competition for China in the 1890s.Most Americans gradually warmed to the idea of expansion overseas. With a belief in manifest destiny, they already had pushed the U.S. border to the Pacific Ocean. Three factors fueled the new American imperialism:• desire for military strength• thirst for new markets• belief in cultural superiority