2. Why was America at first hesitant to get involved in foreign affairs?
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Transcribed Image Text:REASONS FOR AMERICAN IMPERIALISM
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. Use the chart below to answer the
questions.
Territorial Expansion of the United States
Territory
Date Acquired
Square Miles
How Acquired
Original 13 Colonies
1783
888,685
Treaty with Great Britain
Louisiana Purchase
1803
827,192
Purchased from France
Florida
1819
72,003
Treaty with Spain
Texas
1845
390,143
Annexed
Oregon
1846
285,580
Treaty with Britain
Mexican Cession
1848
529,017
Mexican American War
Gadsden Purchase
1853
29,640
Purchase from Mexico
Alaska
1867
589,757
Purchase from Russia
Hawaii
1898
6,450
Annexed
Philippines
1899
115,600
Spanish American War
Puerto Rico
1899
3,435
Spanish American War
Guam
1899
212
Spanish American War
American Samoa
1900
76
Treaty with Germany and Britain
1. What is imperialism?
imperialism means when a strong nation takes over a weaker nation.
2. Why was America at first hesitant to get involved in foreign affairs?
3. After 1850, what area of the world did the United States acquire the most land? Look at your Geography Challenge for
help here!!
(LOOK AT MULTIPLE TERRITORIES ACQUIRED)
4. Why might having territory in this area prove to be useful to America? Use the Geography Challenge map again to
determine why this area is important to the United States!
5. Which war resulted in the greatest acquisition of land?
6. Besides acquiring land by war, after 1850, what are two other ways that the United states gained territory? What does this
prove about America's strength??
7. What evidence from the document suggests that America was becoming a world super power?
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