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U.S. Imperialism. U.S. Expansion 1853. Manifest Destiny In the late 19 th Century the idea of increasing U.S. territory seemed natural to most Americans. Manifest Destiny – the notion that Americans were a superior people and had the right to control the North American Continent.
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Manifest Destiny • In the late 19th Century the idea of increasing U.S. territory seemed natural to most Americans. • Manifest Destiny – the notion that Americans were a superior people and had the right to control the North American Continent
Manifest Destiny 2 • The Civil War had interrupted the nations expansionist march, but once it was over, American looked for new frontiers to conquer. • By 1890, the United States was settled from coast to coast. • Americans had to turn to areas outside of the U.S. to continue to grow
The Turn to Expansionism • During the 1800’s economic expansionism became part of the American experience • U.S. began to export surpluses of goods to foreign markets wanted to open more markets • Political leaders began to develop a foreign policy of expansionism
Expansionism to Imperialism • The desire for new markets turned into a desire for an American Empire. • It would make America money • It was believed that to be strong in a modern world, America must be able to compete in a global market. • It must protect its markets and acquire territories.
Reasons for Imperialism • Many Americans believed that taking over new lands beyond the continental U.S. would increase American glory and prestige throughout the world. • Others felt that the United States was a role model and should spread its democratic and Christian values to people in other lands
Reverend Josiah Strong • Author of book Our Country • Claimed Americans were special, God-favored Anglo-Saxon race • Represent the “purist Christianity, the highest civilization” • http://www.boondocksnet.com/ai/kipling/detroit.html • job is to “lift up” other societies • “Take up the White Man’s Burden” • Make uncivilized countries like the U.S.
Imperialism Debate • Imperialists felt that it was America’s right, responsibility to take over other lands. • Others believed in expansionism (trade with other nations) but not having power over them • Anti-imperialists believed that it would weaken institutions at home, invite war, violate American principle of self-determination (right to choose gov’t. without outside interference) • Led to growing US involvement in Latin America, Pacific Islands, Hawaii and Samoa
Revolution In Cuba • Cuba is an island 90 miles off of the coast of Florida • Cuban people struggled for independence from Spain • U.S. identifies with struggle. • Slavery is abolished, but Spanish rule repressively • Some saw Cuba as a natural extension of US • Economic interest in sugarcane plantations • 1894 sugar tariff disrupts Cuban economy • Jose Marti gathers money, arms, and men from New York
Revolution Begins • Marti launched revolution from US • Destructive war: Rebels destroyed fields, mills, fought Spanish soldiers • Valereano “Butcher” Weyler (leader of Spanish troops) forced Cubans into “Reconcentration Camps” to separate them from Cuban rebels • Horrifying conditions: hunger, starvation, diseases: 10,000’s deaths (25% population)
Americans Keep Watch • $50 million in interests in plantations • Sensationalized news reports of atrocities in camps • Americans want action; President McKinley doesn’t. • New Spanish gov’t promises reform and autonomy for Cubans
In this picture, we see the US battleship Maine exploding in Havana Harbor, Cuba • Spanish troops in Cuba refused to comply with reforms and rioted in Havana (1898) • Spain was not in control of its officials in Cuba ( no control) • Jan. 1898- McKinley sends Battleship Maine to Havana Harbor to protect American citizens and property
On February 15, 1898, the Maine was rocked by an explosion in Havana Harbor that destroyed the battleship, killing 260 American officers and crew • In response to the tragedy, headlines in American papers called for revenge:”Remember the Maine! To war with Spain!” • Most Americans believed that Spain had blown up the Maine, even though there was no evidence!
Yellow Journalism • American Newspapers placed blame on Spanish • Yellow Journalism: Sensation headlines and stories, with little attention to facts, designed to grab the attention and stir up emotions of readers • Hearst/Pulitzer competition for highest circulation • “You furnish the photos, I’ll furnish the war!”
McKinley Calls for War • Anti-Spanish sentiment limits McKinley’s options • President still doesn’t want war, but can’t avoid it • March 1898 ultimatum: • Armistice • End reconcentrations
WAR! • Spain – Insufficient concessions • April11, 1898 – Congress okays use of force • April 19 – Congress declares Cuba’s independence, direction to use troops • April 25, McKinley signs declaration of war
“The Editor’s to Blame” Now wars are never started by those who have to eventually fight them. And profit is often gained by those who plot and intrigue to ignite them. Now take the recent struggle ‘twixt America and Spain, When all is said and all is done, there’s only one man to blame. Chorus Editor, Editor, we all know your name. Editor, Editor, you’re the man to blame. (Repeat) He saw his circulation, sinking mighty low, So he says we need a yarn to put us on the go. Then he looked at Cuba, and then he looked at Spain, He says I’ll tell the world and God, of Cuba’s tragic shame. Chorus And so he wrote of pain and tear, of anguish and despair, Taxes made and orphans made, and print both bold and bare. He wrote of bleeding Cuba, he wrote of cruel Spain, He says that we should intervene, in Christianities name. Chorus And when the country was aroused, as much as we could be, He scribbled of his masterpiece, enthusiastically. He took his yellow-quilted pen, and then with great disdain He wrote his editorial, and sunk the goodship, Maine Chorus This fellow made a lot of money from the Little war, And after it was over, boys, he made a whole lot more. Newspapers all around the land, bear his famous name, But it began the day this man, sunk the goodship, Maine.
War In the Philippines • Asst. Sec’y of Navy Theodore Roosevelt, Commodore George Dewey moved six US ships from the port of Hong Kong to invade the Philippines • May 1, Dewey and his fleet attacked Spanish squadron in Manila • In 7 hours, US demolished Spanish forces, sinking all 10 of their ships
Storming of Manila • Dewey blockades harbor to await ground troops • 11,000 reinforcements and collaboration with Filipino patriot Emilio Aguinaldo and his rebels, captured Manila on August 13, 1898. • Ironically, Aguinaldo helped based on belief US would guarantee Philippines independence. NOT!
US Troops in Cuba • 17,000 troops land near Santiago, Cuba (Spanish Base) • Included many African-American soldiers (Buffalo Soldiers) • Wanted independence for Cuba (ancestry)
The Rough Riders • A colorful regiment of volunteers under T. Roosevelt • Cowboys, college students, ex-polo players, and steeple chasers • Rumor – TR recruited them at a bar in Texas
Rough Riders • Known as “Teddy’s Terrors” • TR resigned from Navy to command them • Were undisciplined and not always effective • Symbol of American enthusiasm for fight against Spain • Became legend after charge up San Juan Hill • US demoralized Spanish, took sight.
African-Americans in War • Black Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Battle of Guasimas June 24, 1898 • African-American role in Spanish-Am war ignored at the time • Guasimas opened way the way for Rough Rider to rout the Spanish • Crucial to success of San Juan Hill31
Defeating the Spanish • Battle at San Juan Hill, last battle • Spanish resistance in Cuba smashed • Puerto Rico, easily conquered in July • John Hay “Splendid Little War” • 385 Americans killed; 5,00 died from tropical disease( malaria, yellow fever) and bad food tainted meat • Many quarantined in NY
Peace • August 12, 1898 Spanish signed peace protocol • Treaty of Paris – October 1898 • Independence to Cuba • Ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines to US for $20 Million
President set up military government in Cuba • Platt Amendment – limited Cuba’s foreign interaction and gave the US right to have naval bases on the island and to send troops if necessary to keep order • Filipino’s were considered “unfit for self-government” • Made Philippines a US colony
Filipino’s wanted self-government • Aguinaldo refused to acknowledge US rule of the islands • Aguinaldo was deported from the Philippines so he couldn’t cause problems
