Imperialism

=Imperialism= =** The Lure of Imperialism **= The huge Alaska landmass lies at the northwestern edge of North America, almost touching northeastern Russia. Russian fur traders were the first foreigners to settle there, in 1784. With a charter from Czar Paul I, the Russian-American Company served as Alaska’s government after 1799. Russian, British, and American fur traders all competed amicably. But by 1867, sea otters, which had the most valuable fur, were becoming scarce. In addition, Russia was struggling to recover from the Crimean War. Russia offered to sell the territory to the United States. At the time, William H. Seward was secretary of state for President Andrew Johnson. He had visions of an American empire and was eager to buy Alaska. He thought it had potential as a resource for fur, timber, and metals. He faced opposition from Congress, though. Unaware of Alaska’s rich mineral resources, many people regarded the territory as a frozen wasteland. Seward finally succeeded in buying Alaska for $7.2 million. Critics joked about Seward’s Folly and Seward’s Icebox. Later, though, after gold and oil were discovered in Alaska, Americans came to appreciate the bargain they’d gotten. Alaska was not Seward’s only smart acquisition. The very same year—1867— he snapped up the Midway Islands, strategically located west of Hawaii.
 * THE INSIDE STORY **
 * // Why did the United States buy Alaska? //** In the 1890s the United States seemed to be off to a late start in the scramble for colonial possessions. European nations were already busily adding new colonies to their empires. The United States, though, had actually taken its first step toward imperialism back in 1867. While European nations were looking toward Africa and Asia, the United States was expanding in North America and the Pacific.


 * // Why did the United States buy Alaska? //**

Read section 1 Chapter 17 to complete following exercise

United States Acquires Hawaii.
Read pages 554-555 to create a timeline of the acquisition of Hawaii.

Complete Graphic Organizer using page 556-557 Chapter 17


=Spanish American War:=

"You Furnish the Pictures, I'll furnish the War"  //**Did a telegram start a war?**// In the 1890s rival newspapers owned by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were competing fiercely. They tried to woo readers with sensational stories and blaring banner headlines.  How far would Hearst go? In January 1897 he sent an artist and reporter team to cover the Cuban rebellion against Spanish rule. Frederic Remington was to send drawings of war scenes. Richard Harding Davis would write the dramatic stories. According to one account, Remington spent some time in Cuba and found that not much was happening in the way of a war. He sent this telegram: “W. R. Hearst, //New York Journal//, N.Y.: Everything is quiet. There is no trouble here. There will be no war. I wish to return. Remington.”  Supposedly Hearst answered: “Remington, Havana: Please remain. You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war. W. R. Hearst.”  Is the story true? One historian points out that the only source was a journalist named James Creelman, who wrote a book about his life as a foreign correspondent for Hearst. Hearst always denied a role in “manufacturing” the war, but the tale fit with people’s belief that he would do anything for a good story. Certainly both the //Journal// and its rival, the //New York World//, played up every incident in Cuba. But Americans were already sympathetic to the Cuban rebels, and perhaps they did not need a push toward war.
 * THE INSIDE STORY**

__**Remember the Maine**__
 * Read the following editorial and answer the questions that follow.**

Spanish American War Video
Watch the following video and answer the questions below; media type="file" key="SpanishAmerican War and the Boxer Rebellion.flv" width="360" height="270"

1. What three exports did the USA lead the world at the time of the Spanish American War?

2. What three territories did the USA receive when the Spanish American War ended?

3, What key victories were won by Commander Dewey and Teddy Roosevelt during the Spanish American War?

Splendid Little War
Watch the video an answer the questions that follow media type="file" key="A Splendid Little War (1).flv" width="360" height="270" 1. Why did Cuba decide not to sign the armistice with Cuba?

2. What was the action by Spain that brought the USA into the war with Spain?

=Spanish American War=

=Panama Canal= media type="custom" key="24973280"

What were some of the problems that workers encountered in building the Panama Canal?

Read pages 563 and find evidence to support the United States actions in Latin America



Commander Perry and japan
[|Perry Opens Japan for USA Trade]