Becoming a World Power

1. 18 Becoming a World Power

2. Becoming a World Power • Steps Toward Empire • Expansionism in the 1890s • War in Cuba and the Philippines • Theodore Roosevelt’s Energetic Diplomacy • Conclusion: The Responsibilities of Power

3. Steps Toward Empire

4. Steps Toward Empire • Monroe Doctrine still followed • Idea of America’s special role • Including the duty of proselytizing, crusading • Early Expansionism • Louisiana Purchase • Indian Removal • “Manifest Destiny”

5. Uncle Sam’s Imperial Stretch

6. Early Expansionism • Commodore Perry, Japan, 1853 • Secretary of State William Seward • Purchase of Alaska from Russia, 1867 • Pushed for annexation of Cuba • President Grant hopes to annex Santo Domingo • Strategic importance • But opposed by those for self-determination

7. Early Expansionism (cont'd) • Growing economic influence • Hawaii, sugar growers stage a coup • Grover Cleveland stops their action

8. The Global Context • Influence in China divided by foreign powers • Africa • Only two independent nations by 1900 • Powers can only gain territory through warfare • United States seeks hegemony in Latin America • But no mechanisms, no consistent policy

9. Expansionism in the 1890s

10. The Search for Markets • Turner thesis resonates with Americans • Businessmen shape foreign policy • Huge growth in manufacturing • Most going to Europe • Overseas investment grows

11. United States Territorial Expansion to 1900

12. Rationale • Patriotism – trade and national well-being tied • Glory • Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge • Alfred Thayer Mahan – Darwinian approach • Piety • Overseas missions • 5,000 American missionaries in China in 1914

13. Rationale (cont'd) • Manipulating public opinion • Weakened confidence played on • Stir up feelings in support of Cubans, Filipinos

14. War in Cuba and the Philippines

15. The Road to War • Cuba long coveted by U.S. • Spain seen as oppressive • Many genuinely concerned • But Cuba also convenient • 1898, Maine sent to Havana • Roosevelt prepares for war • Congress authorizes use of troops • Teller Amendment disavows territorial goals

16. War in Cuba and the Philippines:Spanish-American War • Easy naval victories for the U.S. • Guam and Puerto Rico easily taken • Roosevelt makes his reputation

17. Waging War in the Philippines

18. Waging War in the Philippines, cont

19. Action in the Philippines • Admiral Dewey to Manila after sinking of Maine • President McKinley pushes for annexation • Treaty of Paris • Ratification hotly debated • Anti-Imperialist League • Some against the annexation on racist grounds

20. Action in the Philippines (cont'd) • Filipino-American War follows • Huge expense • Hypocrisy becomes apparent

21. Expansionism Triumphant • New territories had some independence • Governor of Philippines, Taft, pushes self-government • Some rights • Dissent ignored • Roosevelt becomes governor of New York

22. Republican Campaign Poster

23. “The Spanish Brute”

24. Liberty Halts American Butchery

25. Theodore Roosevelt’s Energetic Diplomacy

26. Theodore Roosevelt’s Diplomacy • Activist presidency, especially in foreign affairs • Idea of Darwinian struggle among nations • Nations either civilized or uncivilized • White man’s burden • Strong country’s bound to preserve world order

27. TR as Caribbean Policeman

28. The Panama Canal • Use of Monroe Doctrine • Even before completion of canal • Panama achieves independence, 1903 • U.S. recognizes the new nation • But unilaterally claims Canal Zone • Panama protests

29. Policing the Caribbean • Monroe Doctrine seen as “open door” for U.S. • Cuba remains independent • Roosevelt Corollary, 1904 • Justification for American intervention • Applied in the Caribbean • American property protected with U.S. troops

30. United States Involvement in Central America and the Caribbean, 1898–1939

31. Open and Closed Doors • U.S. pushes for open door in China • Latecomer, and other powers established • Chinese seen as needing American help • Secretary of State Hay’s Open Door Notes • Demand for open door in China • Demand that China’s sovereignty be respected

32. Open and Closed Doors (cont'd) • Boxer Rebellion • Anti-foreign, anti-Manchu movement • Exclusionist immigration policy against Chinese

33. United States Involvement in the Pacific and Eastern Asia, 1898–1909

34. Balancing Japan • Japanese immigration increases around 1900 • Some from Hawaii • Some directly from Japan • Many very successful, especially as farmers • Nativist whites • “Yellow Peril”

35. Balancing Japan (cont'd) • Japanese expansionism worries Americans • Treaty of Portsmouth ends Russo-Japanese War • Root-Takahira Agreement, 1908 • Japan leaves U.S. in control of Philippines • U.S. recognizes Japan’s Asian territories

36. Preventing War in Europe • Roosevelt wary of power struggle in Europe • Two policies: • Friendship with Great Britain fundamental • Prevent war among powerful nations • Support for British imperialism • Britain seen as civilized • In order to check German power

37. Conclusion:The Responsibilities of Power

38. Conclusion:The Responsibilities of Power • Theodore Roosevelt • Foreign policy more aggressive • U.S. as a global power • Influence in Central America, Caribbean • Open Door in Asia • Yet neutral regarding Europe • Developing conflict over global commitments

39. Timeline