Imperialism

1. Imperialism

2. Economic Causes of Imperialism • need for additional sources of raw materials & natural resources • **need for new markets for Amer exports -- Amer $ invested in other nations’ economies led to political influence there and sometimes, conflict

3. Political / Strategic Causes of Imperialism • need to protect trade and U.S. interests abroad To strengthen U.S. navy; need for “coaling stations” abroad (navy bases) • Alfred T. Mahan – The Influence of Sea Power Upon World History – called for building a modern naval fleet & acquiring naval bases around the world

4. Social / Moral Causes of Imperialism Imperialists believed in spreading western ideas and Christianity (law, medicine, religion) • Social Darwinism: Anglo-Saxon superiority & nation’s destiny; noble pursuit (spread democracy, Christianity, capitalism, etc.) • Quest for empire; to restore pioneering spirit – Frederick Jackson Turner’s thesis

5. Causes of the Spanish American War • People of Cuba and Philippines wish to rebel against Spanish colonial rule • Depression of 1890 felt in Cuba; 1895 Cubans began revolt against Spanish • Spanish used heavy-handed tactics against Cubans (Gen. Valeriano “the Butcher” Weyler) • American press (“yellow journalism”) reports atrocities; creates sympathy for Cubans • American’s investments and property destroyed during Cuban revolt

6. America Declares War • Feb 9, 1898 – DeLome Letter printed in Hearst’s Journal; angry American reaction • Feb 15, 1898 – USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor killing 260 American sailors; press blames Spanish in screaming headlines • McKinley asked Congress to declare war • April 19, Congress declared war & adopted Teller Amendment – US had no intention of annexing Cuba

7. “A Splendid Little War”John Hay • War fought on 2 fronts; in Caribbean (Cuba & P.R.) and Pacific (Philippines) • Adm G. Dewey led naval destruction of Spanish fleet in Manila Bay • Aguinaldo led Filipino rebels against Spanish • T Roosevelt led Rough Riders in Cuba – charge up San Juan Hill which opened way into Santiago • Sp Am War: Apr 25 - Aug 12; US won • John Hay called it “a splendid little war”

8. Treaty of Paris, 1898 • 1. Spain recognized Cuban independence (would become a U.S. protectorate) • 2. U.S. paid Spain $20 mill. to give up the Philippines (U.S. would vote to annex) • 3. Guam (Pacific) and Puerto Rico ceded to the U.S. – Guam still U.S. possession; Puerto Rico is a commonwealth

9. Effects of the Spanish American War • U.S. recognized as a world power • U.S. acquired an overseas empire – would face decisions on what to do with areas gained • Debate over expansion peaked: Imperialists v. Anti-Imperialists • U.S. annexation of Philippines led to Philippine-American War (3 years; 216,000 Filipinos died) 1946 - Philippines given independence • U.S. made Cuba a “protectorate” (Platt Amendment) & soon gave Cuba independence

10. Debate Over Expansion: Should US annex Philippines? • Anti-imperialists opposed expansion – Arguments: • Rejection of nation’s foundation of “liberty for all” • Faced enough difficulties at home • Threatened democratic foundations (fear of large standing armies) • Racism – might have to absorb people of different races • Expansion would cost too much • Fear of competition in job market; lower wages

11. Debate over Expansion & annexation of Philippines • Imperialists supported expansion • Arguments: • Americans needed new frontier • New markets for Amer. manuf. goods • New sources of raw materials • Increase in military power • Spread Amer. ideals: Christianity, democracy, capitalism • Anglo-Saxon superiority – our “duty”

12. New Lands Come Under U.S. Flag • Hawaii (1891) U.S. annexed after queen was deposed by S. Dole & U.S. Marines • Guam (1898) Treaty of Paris, 1898 • Puerto Rico (1898) Treaty of Paris, 1898 • Midway Islands (1867) U.S. occupied and annexed – for naval base • Alaska (1867) U.S. purchased from Russia (“Seward’s Folly”) • Samoa (1899) U.S. acquired base at Pago Pago • Philippines (1898) Treaty of Paris, 1898

13. Open Door Policy • Cause: Europeans carving China into spheres of influence; U.S. feared being left out • Policy announced 1899 by Sec. of State John Hay: all nations should have equal trading rights in China • Significance: gave American businessmen access to millions of Chinese consumers

14. Panama Canal • Who: T. Roosevelt • What: waterway linking Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; greatly reduced travel time between U.S. coastlines • When: construction began 1904; finished in 1914 • Why: for commercial and strategic advantages; facilitated trade; alternative to needing separate navies for each ocean

15. How Did U.S. Acquire Rights to Build the Canal? • Treaty signed with Panama in 1904 Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty • Panama Canal Timeline: 1903: U.S. negotiated treaty w/ Colombia (Panama part of Col.); Col. gov’t stalled treaty; Roosevelt impatient – supported Panama’s revolt; U.S. recognized Panama’s independence then negotiated treaty w/ Panama ($10 mill; $250,000 yearly lease for 10 mi wide strip)

16. Panama Canal Today • 1978 Panama Canal Treaty negotiated during J. Carter’s Presidency; canal gradually transitioned to Panama’s control • Controversial treaty; narrowly ratified by Senate (VP had to cast deciding vote for 2/3 majority) – Rep’s used this against Carter in 1980 • Transition completed in 2000 – Panama owns and operates canal today

17. Roosevelt Corollary(To Monroe Doctrine) • Why? Europeans threatened intervention in W. Hemisphere (to collect debts, etc.) • When and how stated? In Dec. 1904 by Roosevelt in message to Congress • Central Message: if intervention in W. Hemis. necessary, U.S. would intervene, not European nations

18. Roosevelt Corollary • When / Where / How Tested? Early 1900’s in Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Haiti, Virgin Islands – U.S. used various methods of intervention • Significance / Effect on U.S. – Latin American Relations: Made U.S. the international police power in W. Hemis.; led to U.S. intervention; damaged relations w/ Latin American nations

19. “Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick” - T. Roosevelt • Old African proverb • Describes Roosevelt’s foreign policy: - Use diplomacy, but have power to enforce it and protect American interests - Intervention if necessary - “big stick” = the U.S. navy

22. Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” • Maintain orderly societies abroad by increasing American investment in foreign economies • “Substituting “dollars for bullets” • Taft’s foreign policy not as aggressive as Roosevelt’s

23. Consequences of Roosevelt & Taft’s Foreign Policies • Helped U.S. become world power • “dollar diplomacy” not always profitable • Created enemies in Latin America (esp. Caribbean & Central America) • Caused resentment and cries of “Yankee Imperialism”

24. Wilson attempts a new direction:Moral Diplomacy 1912 Wilson criticized foreign policy under TR and Taft App’t Anti-imperialist Wm J Bryan as Sec of State Wilson: promised US would not seek new territory but would work to promote “human rights, national integrity & opportunity” Still ordered interventions in Haiti, DR & Mex

25. “Great White Fleet” • Dec. 1907 • Roosevelt sent Navy on cruise around world to demonstrate U.S. naval power • Ship hulls painted white, thus the “Great White Fleet”