American Imperialism
Jan 20, 2018
American Imperialism
• Imperialism– building an empire by creating colonies or conquering weaker countries
• Isolationism– avoiding involvement in affairs of foreign countries
Alaska and Hawaii• Sec of State Wm. Seward
buys Alaska from Russia, 2cents an acre
• People called it Seward’s Folly– thought it was a waste, frozen and useless
• Hawaii ruled by a queen, revolt happens and we annex- (take over) the island, lots of US business already
Japan and China
• Japan isolated themselves for years, Matthew Perry and US navy force our way into Japan to trade
• China defeated by Japan, other nations carve up China’s resources, we didn’t want to be left out
• Open Door Policy– all countries should have rights to trade in China
Spanish-American War• Cuba wanted indy from
Spain, Americans saw similarities to our rev.
• The media starts yellow journalism– exaggerating stories to sell papers, Cuban situation blown out of proportion
• USS Maine in Cuban harbor, blows up killing 260, cause unclear, we blame Spain
• US captures Spanish Philippines near Japan, and sends troops to Cuba
• Unprepared for war, wool in jungles, diseases
• Rough Riders– famous cav. group lead by Teddy Roosevelt
• US traps Spanish fleet in Cuban harbor and wins the war quickly
• We get control of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Philippines in the treaty
Latin America• Panama Canal– link
Atlantic and Pacific, cut 8,000mile trip, unite US navy
• US controlled canal zone for 100 yrs
• Tough to build, tropical diseases, mountain range, 6,000 killed building it
• Roosevelt uses Monroe Doctrine– Europe stay out of affairs in Western Hemisphere
• US takes on role of police officer in Central and South America
• “Speak softly and carry a big stick…”
• Taft uses dollar diplomacy– use $ to help countries rather than send military