DBQ: Imperialism and the U.S. NAME(S): Jaden Floyd, Malina Lawrence,
Mackenzie Moore, Cadie Hodge
Introduction
Expansion has always been a part of America’s history. At first, expansion headed towards the Pacific within
North America. In the 1700’s and 1800’s, European nations began practicing imperialism, which is one people
ruling over or controlling others. Initially, Americans did not look to take over other countries. Having been
colonists themselves, many Americans were against it. America also feared that foreign involvement would
bring the country into a war. However, attitudes began to change in the late 1800’s as America began to look to
the Pacific.
What is imperialism?
● one people ruling over or controlling others.
Why was America hesitant at first to get involved in foreign affairs?
● America also feared that foreign involvement would bring the country into a war. However, attitudes
began to change in the late 1800’s as America began to look to the Pacific.
 

Document 2
“Whether they will or not, Americans must now begin to look outward. The growing production of the country
demands it. The position of the United States, between the Old World and the two great oceans, makes the
claim, which will soon be strengthened by the creation of a new link joining the Atlantic and the Pacific, by the
advancing civilization of Japan, and by the rapid peopling of our Pacific states.”
-Alfred T. Mahan, “The United States Looking Outward,” Atlantic Monthly, 1890
According to the quote, why should Americans look outward?
What is the “new link” that joins the Atlantic and Pacific?
What is meant by the “growing production of the country demands it?”
Who in America would benefit from new markets? Why?
 

Document 3
In 1867 US Secretary of State William Seward arranged to purchase Alaska for $7.2 million from Russia. Seward
was ridiculed for the purchase and Alaska was dubbed “Seward’s Icebox” as many believed that nothing
existed there except polar bears.
 

According to the cartoonist, what is found in Alaska?
 

Document 4
Hawaii was a proud and independent nation for
some 2,000 years. Flocks of American missionaries
began arriving along with powerful sugar planters
and politicians, often serving as advisers to the king.
The monarchy was weakened and the planters'
powers were strengthening. The United States was
the biggest market for Hawaii's sugar. The
transplanted planters longed for Hawaii to become
part of the United States so they wouldn't have to
worry about tariffs.
Sensing this, Queen Liliuokalani was on the verge of
imposing a new Constitution shifting power back to
the monarchy - but she never got the chance. On
Jan. 16, 1893, U.S. Marines landed in Honolulu
armed with Howitzer cannons and carbines. A group
of 18 men - mostly American sugar farmers - staged
a coup (uprising), proclaiming themselves the
"provisional government" of Hawaii. Imprisoned
Queen Liliuokalani issued a statement: "I yield to the
superior force of the United States of America...”
 

Who ruled Hawaii?
For what reason did the US seek to acquire the Hawaiian Islands?
 

Document 5
The Spanish-American War ended after 6 months
when the US defeated the Spanish. The war
erupted over the brutal mistreatment of the
Cubans by the Spanish. The US declared war after
the USS Maine blew up off the coast of Havana,
Cuba.
As a result, the US acquired the Philippines,
Puerto Rico, and Guam. It also reserved the right
to intervene in Cuba.
 

Document 6
The Platt Amendment
Article III – The Government of Cuba consents that the United States may exercise the right to intervene for
the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of
life, property and individual liberty.
 

Document 7
In the back of the classroom, students representing California, Texas, Arizona and Alaska are quietly reading. In
the front row, boys representing the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hawaii are looking as if they would
rather not be there.