HILD 2A-B-C Lecture Notes - Lecture 27: Teller Amendment, American Frontier, Frederick Jackson Turner
19 Mar 2018
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U.S Imperialism,1890s
I. Introduction: “Continentalism”
During late 19th century:
● segregation coincided with political activism and also U.S first attempt at imperialism
● Washington’s Farewell Address:
○ emphasized the new nation was great and good for keeping away from European
corruption
○ Maintain beneficial state of isolation, be aware of foreign entangling alliances
● U.S colonization primarily confined to North America because primary motivation to
expand/colonize was to just settle for more cotton
● Territorial acquisition halted after obtaining Alaska (1867) and focused on consolidating
its power of land owned already by having Indian Wars for several decades
● In 1870s-1880s, imperialism seen as an oversea adventure, idea was there but
isolationism had stronger reasons:
○ Thought colonization was against America’s principle since it’d be like govern
without consent if expanded to Europe to colonize)
○ Should refrain from absorbing alien customs/culture (keep the white pure)
● By 1890s, this isolation, anti colonial policy died with Senator Orville Platt influencing
position saying, ‘since America now 65 million people and most advanced country,
needs to take over land for future wealth of nation
● This argument won out over isolation by end of 19th century
II. Sources of Imperialist Fervor
Why this change? (because of cotton trade)
A. Markets
● Businessmen and those who wanted to get raw material for cheap price for this
argument
● They wanted access to new market because American industry grew as much and
needed raw material
● Obsession for Americans to buy products, be consumer (i.e credit card first invented)
● Wanted access to overseas, foreign market
B. Solutions to Class War
● U.S businesses worried that Europe had protectionist policies over much of Africa,
Caribbean.. That would lock U.S out of international world
● Some political leaders like Teddy Roosevelt, believed foreign adventures would solve
internal domestic class conflicts
● With foreign market access gives more demand so American job/wages could increase
C. Racial Ideology
● Social darwinism
● Aka America full of itself
● “Anglo saxonism” term used in19th century writers
● Gave credit to white blood (so America and Europeans included too) for its rapid
advancement and industrialization
find more resources at oneclass.com
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Document Summary
Segregation coincided with political activism and also u. s first attempt at imperialism. Emphasized the new nation was great and good for keeping away from european corruption. Maintain beneficial state of isolation, be aware of foreign entangling alliances. U. s colonization primarily confined to north america because primary motivation to expand/colonize was to just settle for more cotton. Territorial acquisition halted after obtaining alaska (1867) and focused on consolidating its power of land owned already by having indian wars for several decades. In 1870s-1880s, imperialism seen as an oversea adventure, idea was there but isolationism had stronger reasons: Thought colonization was against america"s principle since it"d be like govern without consent if expanded to europe to colonize) Should refrain from absorbing alien customs/culture (keep the white pure) By 1890s, this isolation, anti colonial policy died with senator orville platt influencing position saying, since america now 65 million people and most advanced country, needs to take over land for future wealth of nation.
