HIST-H 106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Pago Pago, List Of Divided Islands, Josiah Strong
Document Summary
As frontier became settled, many pushed for empire for exploration, settlement, new markets. 1890s- us acquired island colonies for naval bases and commercial outposts. Wanted to expand and protect american markets. New areas viewed as permanent colonies: catching the spirit of empire. Post-civil war- closing frontier and expanding economy in us. Monroe doctrine kept europeans out of western hemisphere affairs, made us almost unattackable. Sense of isolationism spread- desire to stay out of foreign conflict: some urged abolition of foreign service- unnecessary, could lead us into world conflict. 1870s and after- increasing interest in worldwide pursuit of colonies. Growing internationalism from telegraphs, telephones, undersea cables keeping people informed. Relatively few interested in imperialism- policy of extending power through military conquest, economic domination, or annexation: reasons for expansion. 1890- official end of frontier announced in census. Factories and farms multiplied- more produced than domestic market could consume.
