The Rise of American Imperialism

1. The Rise of American Imperialism Hawaii, Cuba, the Philippines, and Latin America

2. Anti-Imperial Sentiment • From the Civil War until the 1890s, most Americans had little interest in territorial expansion: • Imperial rule seemed inconsistent with America's republican principles. • The US did not welcome people with different cultures, languages, and religions.

3. Acquisition of Alaska • The exception to the rule was Alaska. In 1867, Sec. of State William Steward arranged to buy Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million. Rich in natural resources (timber, minerals, and oil), Alaska was a bargain at two cents per acre.

4. European Imperialism • By the mid-1890s, a shift had taken place in American attitudes toward expansion. Why? Between 1870 and 1900, the European powers seized 10 million square miles of territory in Africa and Asia. About 150 million people were subjected to colonial rule.

5. Fear of Competition • In the United States, a growing number of policy makers, bankers, manufacturers, and trade unions grew fearful that the country might be closed out in the struggle for global markets and raw materials.

6. Belief in Darwinian Struggle • A belief that the world's nations were engaged in a Darwinian struggle for survival and that countries that failed to compete were doomed to decline also contributed to a new assertiveness on the part of the United States (jingoism).

7. Dependency on Foreign Trade • By the 1890s, the American economy was increasingly dependent on foreign trade. A quarter of the nation's farm products and half its petroleum were sold overseas.

8. A Desire for Sea Power • Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval strategist and the author of The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, argued that national prosperity and power depended on control of the world's sea-lanes. "Whoever rules the waves rules the world," Mahan wrote.

9. The White Man’s Burden • During the late 19th century, the idea that the United States had a special mission to uplift "backward" people around the world also commanded growing support.

10. The Annexation of Hawaii • In 1893, a small group of sugar and pineapple-growing businessmen, backed by the U.S. military, deposed Hawaii's queen, seized 1.75 million acres of land, and conspired for U.S. annexation of the islands, which was achieved in 1898. Hawaii became a state in 1959.

11. Origins of Spanish American War • The Tariff of 1894, which put restrictions on sugar imports to the United States, severely hurt the economy of Cuba which was then a Spanish colony. Angry nationalists began a revolt against the Spanish colonial regime.

12. The USS Maine • The US, which had many businessmen with investment interests in Cuba, became concerned and dispatched the USS Maine to rescue US citizens who might be endangered by the conflict.

13. The Spanish-American War 1898 • 3 reasons U.S. enters War • 1. yellow journalism • 2. DeLome Letter-Spanish ambassador claims Pres. McKinley is “weak” • 3. The U.S.S. Maine mysteriously blows up in Havana and the U.S. blames Spain View beginnings of Spanish-American war

14. The Spanish-American War 1898 • Cuba was fighting Spain for Independence • Jose Marti`-Cuban leader • Spain put 300,000 civilians in concentration camps • American newspapers began writing exaggerated claims of Spanish brutality towards Cubans that became known as Yellow Journalism -exaggerated news to lure new readers Jose Marti Newspaper drawing about Spanish officials strip searching U.S. woman “Yellow Kid” Cartoon

15. Teller Amendment • Congress agreed, but only after adopting the Teller Amendment that made it clear that the United States did not harbor imperialist ambitions and would not acquire Cuba.

16. “The Splendid Little War” • U.S. attacks Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in Philippines (Spanish territory) • U.S. and Filipino forces quickly defeat Spanish

17. “The Splendid Little War” • War in Cuba • Fighting is somewhat fierce • Many died of malaria and dysentery • Teddy Roosevelt leads a group of volunteers called The Rough Riders in the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba • Rough Riders play only small part, but Roosevelt gets famous San Juan Hill Rough Riders African-American Unit that fought along side Rough Riders

18. Treaty of Paris 1898 • Spain grants Cuba its Independence • U.S. gets the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam • Platt Amendment allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuba’s affairs, which U.S. did on multiple occasions. • Guantanamo Bay • Cuba became a Protectorate of U.S.

19. The Platt Amendment • After the US defeated Spain, it passed the Platt Amendment which gave the US the right to intervene in Cuba to protect "life, property, and individual liberties.” • Could not sign treaty with foreign power • Never build up excessive debt • US naval bases in Cuba

20. Yellow Journalism Questions • Did the diction of the article sound certain? Was the cause of the explosion clear? • What is the author’s purpose in writing the article? • How do you think this article affected US involvement in Latin American affairs? • Do you think yellow journalism is still used today? Why or why not?

21. Philippine Independence • Won independence from Spain but under control of US after war • Emilio Aguinaldo led war against US control • During the war, more than 4,000 American soldiers, about 20,000 Filipino fighters, and an estimated 200,000 Filipino civilians died. After a long struggle, the Filipinos received their independence in 1946.

22. American Atrocities • To suppress Filipino insurgency, the American military forcibly relocated or burned villages, imprisoned or killed non-combatant civilians, and used vicious torture techniques (including the water cure) on suspected insurgents.

24. The Roosevelt Corollary • In 1904, when Germany demanded a port in the Dominican Republic as compensation for an unpaid loan, Theodore Roosevelt announced the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, declaring that the United States would be the policeman of the Caribbean and Central America.

25. TR’s Big Stick Policy • Built Panama Canal through Central America to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans • Panama did not want to give land to US • TR supported rebels in Panama to overthrow government • New government’s first order of business gave US control of canal zone • Congress votes to pay Panama $25 million for land loss

26. Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy • Tried to promote US trade by supporting American businesses abroad • Thought it would stabilize economies of weaker nations • Invested in Chinese RRs • US intervened in Nicaragua to stop civil war • Lodge Corollary- non-European powers were excluded from owning territory in Western hemisphere

27. Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy • Main objective was to right past wrongs • Wanted foreign policy to advance democracy • Granted territorial status to Philippines, a bill of rights, universal male suffrage, and independence as soon as Filipino government stabilized • Granted US citizenship to inhabitants of Puerto Rico • Required US to pay Panama Canal tolls

28. Mexican Revolution • Wilson refused to recognize military dictator, Victoriano Huerta • Tampico Incident- US fleet sent to block Mexican port; American seamen were arrested; resolved through mediation • Pancho Villa- led revolutionaries who to replace democratic-elected Carranza • Led raids and murdered people in Texas and NM • General Pershing sent troops to find Pancho Villa • Searched for months but did not find him • Carranza protested US presence in Mexico • Withdrew due to WWI entry

29. China • Open Door Policy- passed by US to ensure equal trade opportunities in China • Boxer Rebellion- Chinese nationalists that disliked foreigners murdered missionaries • US sent force to put down Boxer Rebellion • Sec. of State, John Hay, sent a second note stating US would preserve China’s territorial integrity and keep trade open

30. Interventions in Western Hemisphere • To enforce order, forestall foreign intervention, and protect economic interests, the United States intervened in the Caribbean and Central America some twenty times over the next quarter century -- in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.

31. Protection of American Interests • On the whole, the United States’ actions in Latin America protected US commercial and strategic interests, but the goal of spreading democracy went mostly unfulfilled. The frequent use of military force also engendered widespread resentment in the region.