Imperialism and the Race for Global Power

1. Ch 5 Emerging World Power

2. Imperialism… • Strong nations extend their political, military, and economic control over weaker territories • European countries acquired new colonies in Asia and Africa • US & Japan considered entering the imperial race

3. Reasons for Imperialism… • Need for raw materials and natural resources – tea, rubber, iron, petroleum, lumber… • Extractive economies – Imperial country removed raw materials from their colony to be shipped back home • The US had little need for raw materials – they needed new overseas markets – booming economy, vast ag. production had caused a large surplus of goods

4. Alfred T. Mahan… • Historian, Navy Officer • Wrote “Influence of Sea Power Upon History” – greatness can be attributed to a strong Navy • US needed a strong Navy and foreign military bases to refuel and resupply • US built up its Navy – steel plated steam powered battleships • By 1900 – the US had the 3rd largest Navy in the world • If you have colonies – you must have a navy/army to protect your territory

5. To Justify Imperialism… • Racial, national, cultural superiority • Social Darwinism – certain races/groups are superior and are destined to rule over weaker groups – only the strong survive • Americans still had a strong feeling of manifest destiny…God had grant them the right and responsibility to settle the frontier • Our Country by Josiah Strong – “God is training the WASP race to civilize weaker races” • The Significance of the Frontier in American History by Frederick Jackson Turner – Americans needed a new frontier to settle to stave off discontent and internal conflict

6. Imperialism in the Pacific… • 1853 – Commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Tokyo bay to set up trade with the Japanese • JAP had denied all foreign trade to that point • Steam ships looked like big fire breathing dragons • After showing the JAP Emperor with gifts – Perry was able to negotiate trade within a year • 1867 – US took control of the Midway Islands • 1875 & 1887 – increased trade with the Hawaiian Islands

7. Seward’s Folly… • Sec. of State Wm. Seward bought Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million in 1867 – 2 1/2 cents/acre – to help pay for their war debt from the Crimean War • Why did he buy a huge tract of frozen, barren land 1,000 miles away from the US border? • Alaska almost doubled the US size and was rich in timber, oil and other natural resources and extended the US’s reach across the Pacific

9. Latin America… • Central and South American were natural choices for the US to expand trade and business • 1889 Sec. of State James Blaine set up the 1st International Pan-American Conference with delegates from 17 different countries • Discussed the benefits of cooperation and set the construction of the Pan-American Highway system

10. Tensions sparked between the US and GB when there was a border dispute between Br. Guiana and Venezuela • US claimed that the BR had violated the Monroe Doctrine – Pres. Cleveland threatened US military intervention • After some heated debate – the BR recognized the US’s growing sphere of influence in Latin America

11. Hawaii… • 1790s US merchant ships stopped at the Hawaiian Islands – Missionaries established churches and schools on the islands – American sugar cane plantations were established there • US planters convinced King Kalakaua to allow only wealthy landowners the right to vote who were white planters

12. A new tariff was on Hawaiian sugar – planters were concerned that their profits would be affected as US produced sugar would be cheaper • Kalakaua died in 1891 and his sister Queen Liliukalani took over • She abolished the constitution that had given the white planters power • With US gov’t backing – a group of planters led by Sanford Dole with the aid of the US Marines overthrew the Queen and asked Pres. Benjamin Harrison to annex Hawaii

14. Harrison left office before the annexation became official – Pres. Grover Cleveland ordered a full investigation – he discovered that most Hawaiians did not want annexation – Cleveland refused to sign the treaty and apologized • Pres. McKinley favored annexation and took action when he became Pres. – 1898 Hawaii became an official US territory

15. Spanish American War… • US businessman had invested $50 million in sugar cane plantations in Cuba – a growing market for US goods • Cubans rebelled repeatedly against Spanish rule • Jose’ Marti started a war for independence from Spain – “Cuba Libre!” – guerilla fighters attacked the Spanish

16. SP Gen. Valeriano “The Butcher” Weyler used reconcentration camps to starve/sicken tens of thousands of Cubans • All this time as the two sides fought American property was destroyed • Americans supported the Cubans fight as it reminded many of the US’s struggle for independence – Weyler’s brutality only intensified the support • But Businessmen worried about their interests in Cuba and hoped the Spain would settle things

18. Yellow Press…. • Joseph Pulitzer – New York World • Wm. Randolph Hearst – New York Journal • Called Yellow Press because they carried the comic strip “The Yellow Kid”

19. To boost readership – these newspapers used sensational headlines and pictures on their front pages • At this time – the headlines and pictures showed the atrocities committed by Weyler in Cuba and compared Cuban fighters to American patriots

20. McKinley urged SP to settle the matter – Weyler was recalled and some concessions were made to the Cuban rebels • Cubans wanted absolute freedom – SP refused to grant independence • McKinley ordered the USS Maine to Havana harbor to protect any American citizens in Cuba

21. New York Journal published a private letter written by SP Ambassador to DC - Enrique de Lome – the letter was stolen by Cuban rebels leaked to Hearst – called McKinley a weak and stupid politician • Headline read – “Worst Insult to the US in its History” • Letter fueled American jingoism (extreme nationalism) – • BR song…”We don’t want to fight – yet by jingo! If we do – we’ve got the ships, we’ve got the men, we’ve got the money too!”

22. USS Maine Explosion… • 266 of 350 crew members died when the front 1/3 of the ship exploded • Two theories – underwater mine or spontaneous combustion in a coal bin • Yellow Press quickly blames SP in their headlines – “War? Sure!” • Pres. McKinley paused in his declaration of war to ask for a full investigation • Conclusion – underwater mine had caused the explosion – but blame had been officially placed by the Press on SP

24. Nation Goes to War… • Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain! • SP abolished the reconcentration camps and made other concessions but it was too little too late • Apr. 11, 1898 McKinley asked Congress for permission to use force against SP in Cuba • 8 days later Congress drafted 4 resolutions that equaled a declaration of war • Teller Amendment – US had no intentions of annexing Cuba • US Navy blockaded Cuban ports and 100,000 volunteer soldiers were called up • SP then declared war on the US • 200,000 men enlisted in the Army

25. War in the Philippines… • Commodore George Dewey steamed his squad of ships into SP held Manila Bay in the Philippines • Completely taken by surprise – the SP fleet was quickly destroyed • No US casualties – 400 SP died • US celebrated – Dewey was a hero • Filipino Nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo were defeating the SP Army • 15,000 US troops landed in the Philippines and the SP troops quickly surrendered

26. US Forces win in Cuba… • US troops captured Guantanamo Bay • 17,000 soldiers pushed ashore near Santiago • Although US troops were relatively successful – they were poorly trained and supplied – old obsolete guns, heavy wool uniforms for a hot humid climate – and rotting/contaminated food

27. Rough Riders… • Led by future President Theodore Roosevelt • Cowboys, miners, police, college athletes who longed for adventure and the “strenuous life” joined this cavalry unit Rough Riders Clip

28. Gained fame in their gallant charge up San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill • Joined by AA troops – the hills were taken to secure vantage points for further battles • 2 days after San Juan Hill – the SP Navy tried to escape the harbor – and were destroyed by the ships still blockading it • SP surrendered – a few battles continued in Puerto Rico but the war had ended

29. 5,400 US troops had died • 380 died in combat • The remaining casualties were the result of disease – mostly yellow fever and malaria

30. Effects of the War… • “Splendid little war!” – ease and thoroughness of the victory – Sec of State John Hay • One problem – what would the US do with SP former territories? • Treaty of Paris – SP gave up control of Cuba, Philippines and Guam – sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million

31. Teller Amendment comes into play – could not take over Cuba but could control the Philippines • “Educate, uplift and civilize them” – Pres. McKinley on Filipinos • Valuable stepping stone to trade with China • Also felt that if the US let the Philippines go – another nation would snatch them up

32. Opposition to taking over the Philippines was led by Wm Jennings Bryan and Mark Twain • American Anti-Imperialist League formed in 1899 • Said that imperialism was a crime and “openly disloyal to the distinctive principles of our government” • Regardless the ratification of the Treaty of Paris passed Congressional vote by one over the 2/3 required

33. Election of 1900 • Democrat Wm Jennings Bryan ran against Republican Wm McKinley and his war hero running mate Theodore Roosevelt • Using the huge victory against the SP as a push for his campaign – McKinley easily defeated Bryan • McKinley's reelection was seemingly supported by Americans who favored imperialism

34. 4 Reasons to “keep” the Philippines…. • Expand American influence in Asia • Compete with European colonial power • Gain new trade in Asia • Extend the benefits of American culture to Asia

35. Filipinos Rebel… • Emilio Aguinaldo – Filipino Nationalist leader at first saw the US as an ally in the struggle for independence • When the US decided to “keep” the Philippines – Aguinaldo was disgusted • Organized an insurrection against the US • Filipinos felt that they were fighting for the same self-rule that the US had fought for against the BR in the American Revolution

36. Guerrilla Warfare • Filipinos were outgunned and turned to guerilla warfare tactics – surprise raids and hit and run attacks • To counter – Americans used SP tactics and put civilians into concentration camps – leaders were tortured and killed

37. Aguinaldo was captured in 1901 • Beginning of the end of the insurrection • 5,000 Americans and 200,000 Filipinos were killed in the fighting • 100,000 US troops were sent to the Philippines and over $150 million was spent by the US

38. Wm. Howard Taft • Future President becomes Governor of the Philippines • Wanted to help the island nation recover • Censored the press and put dissidents in jail to maintain order and win the support of the Filipino people • Offered limited self-rule and built schools, roads and bridges

39. Jones Act of 1916 – pledged that the Philippines would eventually become an independent nation • 1946 – after US forces had liberated the Philippines from the Japanese during WWII the Philippines gained their independence

40. US Interested in China… • China had a massive population and was in political and economic disarray – tempting target • BR, FR, GR, RUS carved China into distinct spheres of influence – in each zone each country had privileged access to ports and markets in China • Japan had also taken over parts of China and Korea • The US did not have any influence in China and was very interested in gaining some new markets – keeping the country open to all countries for trade

41. Equal Trade in China… • Sec. of State John Hay wrote letters to foreign diplomats stating that the US expected “perfect equality of treatment for commerce” in China • Did not have much effect at first but would set the tone for future years

42. Boxer Rebellion… • Righteous and Harmonious Fists or Boxers – group of disgruntled Chinese – did not like the growing involvement of foreigners in China • They were trained in martial arts and practiced traditional Chinese customs and criticized western ways – believed that their special powers would protect them from bullets. • In time they rebelled against the “foreign devils”

43. 1900 Boxers killed foreign missionaries and took over the diplomatic district in Beijing • A multinational force of Europeans, Americans and Japanese went to Beijing to put down the Boxer Rebellion • After the rebellion was ended – the Chinese gov’t was forced to pay for damages caused by the rebellion • This made Chinese nationalism grow and eventually overthrow the Chinese emperor in 1911

44. Open Door Policy… • Sec. of State Hay sent more letters stating that the US did not want to colonize China but wanted free trade there • As an act of good will – the US used some of its indemnity money from the Chinese to set up scholarships for Chinese students to attend college in the US

45. US and Japan… • JAP disapproved of the European carve up of China and wanted more influence of their own there • They also did not approve of the Russian presence in Manchuria • 1904 – w/o declaration of war – the JAP attacked and bottled up the Russian fleet in Port Arthur China and then lead a series of land attacks causing 100,000 RUS causalities as well as heavy losses on their own side

46. 1905 delegates from both RUS & JAP met with Pres. Roosevelt in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to put an end to hostilities in Manchuria • Roosevelt worked hard to gain a peace treaty and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts • The US’s involvement in the Russo-Japanese War showed that the US was becoming a player in world politics

47. Added Hostilities… • 1906 – San Francisco School Board banned JAP, CH and KOR children from attending public schools with white children • JAP people were very offended and demanded action • Roosevelt made a Gentlemen's Agreement with the JAP that he would desegregate the schools if the JAP would limit emigration to the US of JAP people

48. The Great White Fleet… • Roosevelt also promoted military preparedness to protect US interests in Asia • Roosevelt won Congressional approval for the building of a new force of navy ships called the Great White Fleet • 16 white battleships took a “good will” tour around the world to demonstrate the US’s military power

49. Latin America… • Nations backyard and as a sphere of influence to the exclusion of others • Good for US business and entrepreneurs, good for government • However, its created hostility towards the US by these Latin American countries as well as instability