Imperialism and America

IMPERIALISM AND AMERICA

StimpsonU.S. History

Isolationism

Having little to do with other nations First 75 years in US

Involved in trade but not politics

Japan

Refused to trade with Westerners U.S. sent CMDR. Matthew Perry July 1853

4 Warships into Tokyo Bay Letter to Japanese Officials

Asked to open trade Will come back on one year

Japan cont.

February 1854 7 warships into Tokyo Bay Signed Treaty of Kanagawa

Agreed to help shipwrecked sailors Opened 2 ports to trade

ExpansionismAlaska

1867 Russia offered to sell for 7.2 million, 2

cents/acre William Seward, Secretary of State

agreed “Sewards folly” Barren, icy land 1896 gold is discovered 1959 becomes 49th state 1968 oil is discovered

Imperialism

Policy of powerful countries that seek to control economic and political affairs of a weaker country of region.

1870-1914: Age of Imperialism Causes:

1. Wanted raw materials from Africa and Asia 2. Wanted people in these areas to buy

American made goods 3. Duty to spread religion and culture to

“backward” people 4. Competition $$$$$

Hawaii

Mid 1800’s Many large American sugar plantations Cheap labor

Workers from Asian countries 1900, ¼ of people in Hawaii were born in

Japan 1887

Powerful planters forced King Kalakaua to accept new constitution.

Reduced king’s power and increased planter’s power

1891 King dies Sister Lilioukalani takes over Rejects new constitution

1893 Planters rebel against Queen Lil Queen asks for Marines

Marines help rebels instead Queen gives up throne; planters set up a

republic 1898 US annexes Hawaii 1900 US territory 1959- 50th state

Latin America 1895

Revolt in Cuba Led by Jose Marti-

Father of the country

Had been a Spanish colony

Cuba Cont. 1898

US sent battleship Maine to Havana To protect American citizens and property

February 15 Explosion rips through the ship Kills 260 of 350 sailors Probably an accident Becomes rallying cry “Remember the Maine!”

, for war

Spanish American War April 25

President Mckinley declares war on Spain Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders

Calvary division Charge up San Juan Hill

August 12 Agree to stop fighting 379 Americans dead from fighting 5,000 dead from other causes

Yellow fever/ malaria 4 months long

Peace at last…..

December 1898 Peace treaty signed in Paris Spain gave up Cuba and it won freedom

Not Truly independent US got Puerto Rico and Guam US paid $20 Million for Philippines

Fought for own independence US finally won in 1902 Given independence in 1946

Panama Canal

Panama was part of Columbia Wouldn’t sell to the US

US would support rebels wanting freedom Nov 2, 1903

US warship Nashville sailed into Colon, Panama

Nov 3, 1903 People of Panama rebelled and declared

independence US recognized the new country and got

permission to build canal

Building the canal

Tropical heat, lots of rain, plenty of swamps

Biggest problem…… Mosquito

Carried yellow fever and malaria Killed 40,000 workers

Drained swamps and killed mosquito eggs

1914 first steamship sailed through canal

Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary

1904 US had a right to preserve law and order

in Latin America Latin America Strongly resented

interference in their affairs