American Imperialism

American ImperialismTrying to stretch our power around the world

The Spanish-American WarThe Beginnings•America using Manifest Destiny of

Monroe Doctrine to try and take control of Caribbean from European nations (Spain)

•During a Cuban revolution attempt, the US sent the USS Maine, which was destroyed

•Spanish blamed in NY papers, in a strategy called: yellow journalism

•War was fought on two different fronts/arenas: Cuba and the Philippines

•US demanded Cuba’s independence, but Spain refuses and war begins April 25, 1898

War in the Philippines• Was home to a Spanish naval base from which

any help to Cuba would come from• Allied with the Philippine rebel Emilio Aguinaldo• Teddy R. gave orders for Commodore Dewey to

attack on word of war ▫He was the Naval Secretary at this time

• May 1, 1898, Dewey attacked at Manila Bay and defeats Spain easily.

• Aguinaldo and his men surrounded the capital city

War in Cuba•Teller Amendment: If Cuba declared free,

the US would protect them until they were strong enough to rule themselves▫Very similar to Iraq today.

•Victory in Cuba much tougher, troops not well supplied

•Rough Riders (cavalry unit led by T.R.) and buffalo soldiers (Af. Am cavalry unit) led the way to a US victory in Cuba

Cuba Cont…•Battle of San Juan Hill: defining battle

where Teddy Roosevelt led both cavalry units to victory

•Platt Amendment: Cuba could make no treaties with other countries and had to have a US Naval Base▫

Buffalo Soldier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5FCdx7Dn0o

Consequences•US gained Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and

the Philippines for $20 Million•Cost the US 2,000 men and $250 Million

to fight•Big Picture: US became an imperialistic

nation. Used its military to gain control over lands for militaristic, economic, & idealistic reasons

Panama Canal•Teddy Roosevelt wanted to

take control of Panama to make a canal to get from Pacific to Atlantic

•Would be a massive project

•Helped fund a revolution in Panama to be able to take the land

Building the Ditch•Horrible conditions: bad water, disease,

extreme heat and a tough job.•Used dynamite to blow through

mountains•Finished in 1914, and US owned the land

until 2000