Imperialism: The Origins of a Global Power

1. Why did American plantation owners and U.S. Marines topple Hawaii’s queen in 1893? Why was Hawaii considered to be a valuable prize? What was President Grover Cleveland’s reaction? Do you agree or disagree with his quote on page 1?
-The U.S Marines toppled Hawaii's queen in 1893 becuase they wanted U.S control.
-Hawaii was considered to be a valuable prize becuase of its rich soils for planting, and it offered a crucial stopping point for American ships en route to east asia.
-His reaction was very strong. He didnt believe in what the U.S was trying to do and turned down the treaty. I agree with him becuase it isnt anyones right (exspecially U.S) to try and take down another country for itsself.

2. Identify five important changes that transformed American in the nineteenth century. How did these five changes affect Americans?
immigration-many new people were coming to america and making it bigger
Trade-made US a world power
urban growth-one third were city dwellers which brought problems: polical corruption, inadequte sanitation, overburdened transportation system, and rising crime.
Depression of 1893-millions of people out of work, banks were bankrupted and people were concerned about the future.
Frontier- fueled the countrys economic growth



3. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?
The depression that began in 1893 was started by a unexpected bankruptcy of two major railroads. Within a year, more than five hundred banks and sixteen thousand buinesses went bankrupt which left alot of people out of work and no money. The depression effected the city dwellers, labor workers, and plant owners.

4. What were the values many Americans attached to the frontier? Why did many Americans fear that the closing of the frontier would harm America’s national character?
land, work, settlement.Many feared that closing the frontier would harm americas national charachter becuase dealing with other nations would be the best way to ensure the contunuted economic success of the US

5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Some americans suggested greater involvement overseas becuase they wanted to continue economic success.

6. What policy did expansionists say would ensure the economic success of the United States? What did imperialists say?
Imperialist said that the course of history was pointing the u.s abroad.

7. How did the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism? How were these pseudo-scientific theories used to justify racist policies and imperialism? Are they still used today?
-The theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism by affirming the view that U.S and a handful of European Nations were destined to dominate the world.


8. What did many Protestant churches say was America’s role in the world?
Many Protestant churches say that Americas role in the world was to "Lipt up" the "downtrodden" of other nations.

9. Why did the United States become involved in several Latin American nations in the nineteenth century? Summarize why the United States became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and other Latin American nations.
-US became involved in several Latin American nations in the ninteenth century becuase they wanted to stabalize any "quarrelsome" nations so that American commerce and influence could travel safely across the seas.
-US became involved in Samoad, Hawaii, and other Latin American nations so that ships could have permanent resting areas and to refuel safetly.

10. Why was the United States concerned about British involvement in Venezuela? What concept did U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney invoke in response?
-US was concerened about British involvement with Venezuela becuase they ndidnt want Britain or any other european countires to get the idea that they could carve up Latin America for colonies as they had recently done in Africa.
-US secretary of State Richard Olney invoked in response " The united states is practically sovereign on this [Latin American] continent and its fiat is law...."