Lesson 1: America Looks Abroad

Lesson Focus

As industrial nations built global empires, the United States faced a choice: remain isolated or join the race for colonies. We will explore America's shift from a continental nation to an emerging world power.

People to Know

William Seward, Queen Liliuokalani, Alfred T. Mahan

Learning Objectives

• Explain why the United States began moving away from its long-standing policy of isolationism.
• Cite two key examples where the U.S. used arbitration to peacefully resolve disputes and avoid war.

The Industrial Revolution created a need for new markets, pushing the U.S. toward imperialism.
This marked a major shift from America's traditional policy of isolationism, which was based on keeping out of foreign political affairs.
As European powers built empires, the U.S. felt pressure to compete. Note that this change moved the nation away from the advice of George Washington and the principles behind the original Monroe Doctrine toward global expansion.

During the U.S. Civil War, France's Napoleon III challenged the Monroe Doctrine by installing Maximilian as emperor of Mexico.
After the war, the U.S. sent troops to the border, pressuring France to withdraw.
The Mexicans then defeated Maximilian's forces. Pay special attention to this event, as it proved the United States was now willing and able to use military force to keep European powers out of the Western Hemisphere.

Expansionists wanted to secure new territories and markets.
Secretary of State William L. Seward purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, removing a European power from North America. Later, Secretary James G. Blaine promoted reciprocity—mutual trade agreements—and the Pan-American Union to boost economic cooperation.
These actions expanded American influence through both territorial acquisition and economic policies, setting the stage for a new kind of empire-building.

American business interests became powerful in Hawaii, controlling its economy.
In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani attempted to restore power to native Hawaiians. In response, American business leaders, with help from U.S. Marines, overthrew her government and requested annexation.
Though President Cleveland blocked immediate annexation, the revolutionary government remained in control. This event showed how American commercial interests could drive foreign policy and military intervention abroad.

The U.S. had major disputes with Great Britain over Civil War damages and the Venezuelan border in 1895.
In both situations, the U.S. successfully forced Britain to agree to arbitration, or settlement by an impartial group. This was a direct challenge to Britain's power.
By compelling Britain to negotiate peacefully, the United States asserted its growing authority on the world stage and reinforced the power of the Monroe Doctrine.

The Venezuelan crisis of 1895 showed that the U.S. Navy was weak.
Influenced by Captain Alfred T. Mahan’s book The Influence of Sea Power upon History, leaders realized a strong navy was vital for global power. Congress then funded a massive naval buildup.
By 1900, the U.S. Navy became the world’s third largest. This new military strength gave America the power to protect its trade and enforce its foreign policy.