America’s Imperialism and the emergence of a World Power.

America’s Imperialism and the emergence of a World Power

Imperialism and World War I (1898-1919)

-During the late 1800s and the early 1900s, the US became far more imperialistic -US began using its economic and military strength to create new markets and claim foreign land-It engaged in an Imperialistic war-It waged economic warfare to annex Hawaii-It included itself in a world war-And earned its place as a world power

Imperialism• American had always sought to

expand the size of their nation.• Many American leaders believed

the should join the imperialist powers of Europe and establish colonies over seas.

• IMPERIALISM: the policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.

• “Great White Fleet” created

Argument for Imperialism:• 1. Global Competition: All countries fought to be first to

conquer and take over parts of Africa and Asia during the 19th century

• 2. Desire for military strength: Establish a global military presence in order to compete with our nations

• 3. Thirst for new markets: the answer for overproduction, unemployment and economic depression.

• 4. Belief in cultural superiority: US had a responsibility “White Man’s Burden” to spread Christianity and “civilization” to the World’s inferior people.

• 5. A “new” frontier to keep American spirit alive.

The U.S. Acquires Alaska• In 1867 the Secretary of

State, William Seward, arranged to buy Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million.

• H.O.R. wasn’t sure about the new purchase and nicknamed it “ Seward’s icebox”

• 1959 Alaska becomes a state and for about 2 cents an acre the U.S. had acquired land rich in timber, minerals, and OIL!

The United States Takes Hawaii• The same year Alaska was bought the U.S. took the

Midway Islands.• These lay 1300 miles North of Hawaii. • No one lived there so the event did not attract much

attention• Hawaii had always been important to the U.S. as a

stop on the way to China or as sugar providers• By the mid 19th century American sugar-owned

plantations made up about three-quarters of the island’s wealth

Hawaiian Queen LiliuokalaniHawaiian Queen Liliuokalani

Hawaii for the Hawaiians!

Hawaii for the Hawaiians!

Annexation and the end of a Monarchy

• To make sure Hawaiian sugar stayed tax free, white planters called for the annexation (or addition) of the islands to the United States

• Pearl Harbor was built in 1887 and served as a refueling base for ships on their way to Asia

• Queen Liliuokalani came up with the slogan of “Hawaii for Hawaiians”. A revolution was started by white plantation owners and she was overthrown.

• President Cleveland refused to annex Hawaii unless Hawaiian voters agreed to it. When McKinley takes office he gives Hawaii statehood (1959) without a vote by their citizens Queen Liliuokalani

America’s Interest in Cuba

• By the end of the 19th century Spain had lost many of the colonies, yet they still controlled Cuba, Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico

• 1854 President Franklin Pierce inquired about the purchase of Cuba and Spain adamantly refused

• Cuban War against Spain breaks out (1868-1878). Don’t win freedom, but are successful in ending slavery

• **America quickly invests in large sugar cane plantations• Jose Marti issued another Revolution to gain freedom and in his

guerilla campaign burnt and destroyed many plantations• Spanish General came over to end resistance. Pushed 300,000

Cubans into camps. Many died of hunger and disease

War FEVER!• Yellow Journalism- Style of writing

that exaggerates news to lure and enrage readers… Joseph Pulitzer– helped bring American sympathy to

Cuban Rebels• De Lome Letter- President McKinley,

with the pressure from the American people, worked to end brutality in Cuba. Letter written by Spanish minister was leaked to the press calling the President weak.

• Just a few days later, the U.S.S. Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana. No one knew why, but Spain was blamed. America is outraged!

Remember the Maineand to Hell with Spain!Remember the Maineand to Hell with Spain!

Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

The Spanish-American War (1898):

“That Splendid Little War”

The Spanish-American War (1898):

“That Splendid Little War”

How prepared was the US for war?

How prepared was the US for war?

The Spanish American War• “Remember the Maine” American pro war slogan• In 7 hours the U.S. sank almost the entire Spanish fleet.• First Battle take place in the Philippines• Filipinos helped America because they too wanted freedom from

Spain• **Spanish troops surrendered in Manila• 6/1898 the U.S. army and the ROUGH RIDERS (volunteer

Calvary led by T. Roosevelt) landed in the port city of Santiago• Battles were won and America pushed on to Puerto Rico• 3,289 U.S. soldiers die (disease), only 332 from battle.• Spanish lose between 55,000 – 60,000.• Spain surrenders within 113 days.

The Treaty of Paris • August 12, 1898 the fifteen week war was

over• Met in Paris to come up with a treaty• Spain freed Cuba and turned Guam, and

Puerto Rico over to the United States• Sold the Philippines to the U.S. for 20

million• Treaty was highly debated: some thought it

went against the Declaration of Independence (self gov’t), others said we had enough problems at home and even more feared jobs would be taken!

• All ignored when Senate approves the treaty in 1898. America grows in SIZE!

Acquiring New Lands

Ruling Puerto Rico

• Originally controlled through the military

• In 1900 the FORAKER ACT ended military rule and set up a Civil Government

• In 1917 Congress extended the right of U.S. citizenship to Puerto Rican citizens

Cuba and the U.S.• At the end of the Spanish American war America had made it clear they

would not take over Cuba• American soldiers still occupied Cuba after the war• American gov’t brought in food, medical and clothing.• Platt Amendment: Americans forced Cuba to add this to their

constitution– 1. Cuba couldn’t make treatises that gave another country any control

of their territory– 2. The U.S. had the right to intervene– 3. Cuba was not to go into debt– 4. US. Could buy or lease land for naval stations

• Cuba became a U.S. PROTECTORATE. This means a country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power

Philippines-Ruled like a colony-Filipinos want freedom and vowed to get it!-Guerrilla War tactics-Forced Filipinos to live in designated zones with poor sanitation, starvation and disease killed many (sound familiar….CUBA & SPAIN)-Sent African Americans to fight..Many fought for the Filipinos-War lasted 3 years and cost $400 million.-Insular Cases, no Constitutional rights for non-citizens in US territories**Finally got independence on July 4, 1946.

Our “Sphere of Influence”Our “Sphere of Influence”

Foreign influence in China

• U.S. saw the Philippines as a gateway to the rest of Asia• China was weakened due to war and foreign intervention

“Sick man of Asia”• “Open Door Notes” letter addressed to imperialist nations

stating that no single nation would have a monopoly on trade with China

• Chinese Martial Artists fought back in the Boxer Rebellion.

• Japan ,Britain, France, Germany and America put down the rebellion killing thousands of Chinese

TheOpen Door

Policy

TheOpen Door

Policy

America as a World Power

T.R. and the World• 1905- Japan and Russia go to

war• Japan asks American to

intervene as a peace negotiator

• On the President’s yacht the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed

• This event gave T. Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize and made him a trusted confident with two powerful countries

Panama Canal• A canal cutting across Central

America. • Greatly reduce travel time for

commercial and military ships• Bought a French Company’s failed

attempt at the building of the canal for $40 million

• Panama declared independence from Columbia (With American support)

• Gave permission to build canal for a fee of $10 million and an annual rent payment of $250,000!

The Roosevelt Corollary“Big Stick Policy”

• Many Latin American countries were in debt to European nations

• Roosevelt feared what would happen if they couldn’t make payments

• Reminded Europe of the MONROE DOCTRINE• Added the Roosevelt Corollary: disorder in Latin

America might, “force the United States…. To the exercise of an international police power”– ** Protecting economic interests in Latin America

The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: 1905The Roosevelt Corollary to

the Monroe Doctrine: 1905Chronic wrongdoing… may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of an international police power .

Speak Softly,But Carry a Big Stick!

Speak Softly,But Carry a Big Stick!

Constable of the WorldConstable of the World

The Great White Fleet: 1907The Great White Fleet: 1907

Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”

Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”

Improve financialopportunities for American businesses.

it supported a policy of giving financial assistance to Latin American countries in order to make them our allies

“Substitution dollars for bullets”

Using foreign policy to protect Wall Street dollars invested abroad (esp. Far East/China)

Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”

Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”The U. S. should be the

conscience of the world.

Spread democracy.

Promote peace.

Condemn colonialism.

he eventually invaded more countries in Latin America than any other president in U.S. history

Pressured nations in Western Hemisphere to form Democratic governments or we wouldn’t deal with them.

Mexican Revolution tests this.