Name ______Date ______S. S. 8

Statement of Inquiry Overseas Expansion: Global competition over resources and power led to American expansion and Creating a Pacific influence Empire

ALASKA

Prior to 1860, the Russians had a profitable seal and sea otter fur industry established off the coast of Alaska. After 1860, however, the Russians had killed off most of the furbearing animals. Russian interest in Alaska began to decline and the Russian government was looking to sell the land. In 1867, Russia offered to sell Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million. Secretary of State William Seward (under President Andrew Johnson) was interested in this offer. He argued that it was a great value at only 2 cents per acre and could provide natural resources such as fish, lumber, and minerals. It would also give the United States important seaports for dominating trade in the Pacific. Seward argued that if the United States did not purchase Alaska, another powerful nation would. However, some Americans objected to the purchase. They said that Alaska was a worthless wasteland. They called Alaska “Seward’s Icebox,” the “Polar Bear Garden” and “Seward’s Folly.” (folly=foolish) Others argued that the United States had no right to buy “outside territory,” land not connected to the United States. Seward finally won out. In April 1867, the United States agreed to purchase Alaska from the Russians. As a result of the purchase, the United States added about 600,000 square miles of land to its territory for only $7,200,000. Many Americans realized that this purchase was no mistake. Southern Alaska was well suited for farming and the land was rich in natural resources. By 1890, prospectors found gold in Alaska which increased settlement there. Alaska became a state in 1959, and in the 1960s, oil was discovered there as well.

HAWAII

Prior to the 1890s, Hawaii was its own country, ruled by a monarch. However, many wealthy Americans owned plantations in Hawaii and had gained influence over its government and its king. Some native Hawaiians had come to resent the growing American influence. In 1891, Hawaii’s king died and was replaced by Queen Liliuokalani. Liliuokalani wanted to limit the power of the American business owners and give more power back to native Hawaiians. When she issued a new Constitution for Hawaii in 1893, American business owners claimed that their lives and property were being threatened and asked the United States government for help. The U.S. minister to Hawaii, John Stevens, asked a U.S. warship stationed in Hawaii to send 160 marines ashore. Backed up by the marines, the American plantation owners forced Queen Liliuokalani to give up her throne. The queen stepped down peacefully. The American planters established their own temporary government for Hawaii. In 1898, the U.S. Congress annexed (added) Hawaii as territory. It became a state in 1959.