Imperialism

Imperialism is the policy of extending the power of a country and its influence through diplomacy or military force.

America's justifications

Social Darwinism

Responsibility-White Man's Burden (to go and help others)

God's wills (manifest destiny, they have been put on earth to expand)

Economic reasons

Cuba

Why?

Many Americans citizens lived in Cuba. The violent struggle caught the attention of Americans because of economic and political instability that was so close to America.The US battleship =Maine exploded and sank in Havana harbour mysteriously on February 15th 1898.

Spain had Cuba, so America believed that the Spanish were responsible. America got involved.

Spain gave Cuba, Guam and Puerto Rico to the US in the Treaty of Paris. They also transferred sovereignty over the Philippines for $20,000.000

Impact on foreign policy

America was a world power with a new stake in international power.

Pacific power. They could pursue and strategic and economic interest in Asia.

Involvement in Hawaii as it was vital to the US economy. It could help protect US interest in Asia. They then set up a naval base (think Pearl Harbour later)