American Imperialism

1. American Imperialism

2. What is Imperialism? • Conquering and controlling a territory for • Economic/Markets/Resources • Political/Territory/Military Presence • Civilization/Racism/Social Darwinism • Religion/Christianity • Europe nations dominated Africa, Asia, and Pacific Nations • US Became Imperialist in 1890’s • The Influence of Sea Power upon History • By Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan • Powerful Navy, Merchant Marine, Colonies, Navel Bases, etc. • All characteristics of powerful nations • Countries with the biggest navies will inherit the Earth

3. Alaska and Hawaii • Seward’s Folly • Sec. of State William Seward • Russia in North America • Seward bought Alaska for $7.2 mil in 1867 • Major Bargain • Missionaries and Planters in Hawaii • Sugar production and trade tariffs • McKinley Tariff • Call to Annexation • Roosevelt “crime against white civilization” • Queen Liliuokalani • Cleveland Commission • Restoration of Hawaii to natives • Republic of Hawaii • McKinley Annexation in 1898 = Manifest Destiny

4. Spanish-American War • Cuba in before 1890’s • Spanish Colony • Strong economic ties to US • $100 mil annual trade • Cuban Rebellion • Resulted from economic recession • General Valeriano “Butcher” WeyleryNicolau • Reconcentrado • US Supported rebels • Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal vs. Pulitzer’s New York World • Yellow Journalism • USS Maine Explosion • January 25, 1898 • Cause Unknown • Sparked outcry from public – “Remember the Maine” • De Lome Letter • Called McKinley Weak • Sparked outcry from public

5. Continue • Theodore Roosevelt • Sec. of Navy – Lobbied for War • Lieutenant Colonel – Led Rough Riders • Volunteer Cavalry Regiment of Ivy Leaguers, Criminals, Native American, African Americans, and Sharpshooters. • San Jaun Hill • Siege of Santiago • Surrendered on July 17th 1898 • Self Promotion of Roosevelt • A One-Sided War • Treaty of Paris ended war • War to protect American Business in Cuba • No Cuban was allowed to sign treaty • Lasted only 4 Months • 60,000 Spanish Casualties • 6,000 US Casualties

6. The Philippines • Spanish Colonial Possession • Commodore George Dewey • Sent to Philippines encase war with Spain • Destroyed Spanish Navy at Manila Bay • US troops took Manila • Philippines promised US • Missionary Opportunities • Gateway into Asia • Resistance to US Occupation • Emilio Aguinaldo • Fought for US against the Spanish • Led resistance during occupation • 63,000 troops sent to stop rebellion • African American Soldiers rebelled • Debate over Annexation

7. Phillippines Annexation Debate • President McKinley’s rational of occupation of Philippines • Could not give back to Spain • Could not give to France or Germany – Economic Rivals • Could not leave to themselves – unfit for self-government • Nothing left to do, but US occupation • Civilize and Christianize • McKinley motivation for Imperialism • National Glory • Commerce • Racial Superiority • Altruism

8. Continue • Labor and Socialist opposed the war • Saw war as capitalist expansion on innocent peoples • It would distract workers from the real issues • View changed when war began • Anti-Imperialist League • Led debate in America against the US occupation of foreign territories • Led by leading American figures • Andrew Carnegie • Mark Twain • Philippine Government Act • Declared Philippines “unorganized Territory” • Granted citizenship • Gained Independence on July 4th 1946 • Helped US defeat Japan

10. Occupation of Puerto Rico and Cuba • Foraker Act adopted on April 12, 1900 • Established a civil government on PR • President appoints Governor and Executive Council • Established Cuba as a US Protectorate • Jones Act provided PR’s US citizenship • Platt Amendments adopted 1901 • US Military would stay until Cuban’s adopted • Cuban Revolution was never about independence for US, War for free trade • Restricted Cuban Independent Government and established US supremacy over the island • Cuba cannot sign treaties with 3rd party • Must pay of debt to US from revenue/taxes • US has right to intervene in Cuban affairs • US has right to establish naval station

11. Asia • European Powers dominated China • Britain, Germany, Russia, France, etc... • established protective tariffs to control their area of influence • US was shut out of Chinese Markets and Resources • Open Door Policy • Secretary of State John Hay • Promoted American Interest in China • Proposed to keep china open to trade with all countries on an equal basis • Refrain from interfering with any treaty port • Allow Chinese authorities to collect tariffs on equal basis • No national favoritism on harbor dues or railroad dues • Boxer Rebellion • Rebellion against western influence in China • Suppressed to keep markets open to US

12. Panama Canal • Isthmus of Panama • Narrow strip of land between Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea • Canal would cut ocean travel time dramatically • Hay-Pauncefote Treaty • Established the building of a Canal through Panama connecting the Pacific and Caribbean • Two Obstacles • French Canal Rights • Purchased for $40 Mil • Columbia Territorial Claim – November 1903 • Asking price was $25 mil, US willing to pay $10 mil • Roosevelt = New President = Mr. Imperialism • Sponsored Panama Rebellion • US Navy provided support • Independent Panama granted building of canal for $10 mil • Canal opened August 15th, 1914

13. Roosevelt Corollary • Caribbean experiencing social and economic problems • Nations become indebted to US Corporations • Instability worried US Corporations • Roosevelt Corollary • US is justified intervention in the domestic affairs of Caribbean Countries that owe US money • International Police Power • Prevent 3rd parties interfering in Caribbean

14. Nobel Peace Prize • Roosevelt Receive in 1906 • Treaty of Portsmouth • Mediated peace negation between Russia and Japan • Ended Russo-Japanese War • Act of Algeciras • European tension over control of Morocco and Northern Africa • Affirmed independence of Morocco • Provided Open Door trade in region • Prevented War