Acquiring New Lands

1. Acquiring New Lands Chapter 10-3

2. Ruling Puerto Rico • Not all Puerto Ricans wanted independence as some wanted statehood from the U.S. • There was never such a promise • While under the control of General Miles he stated that the U.S. purpose was protect the citizens & their property

3. Return to Civil Government • Although many Puerto Ricans favored statehood or independence the U.S. had different plans for the islands future • PR was key to the U.S. as a presence in the Caribbean as well as protecting a future canal that would cross the Isthmus of Panama • In 1900 the U.S. passed the Foraker Act which set up a civil government in PR • In 1917 Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship & were allowed to then to elect all members of their legislatures

4. Cuba & the U.S. • With the Spanish-American War the U.S. recognized Cuba’s independence • The U.S. also passed the Teller Amendment which stated that the U.S. had no intention of taking over any part of Cuba • The Treaty of Paris also further guaranteed the islands independence

5. American Soldiers • Though officially independent Cuba was in fact an occupied nation as the U.S. maintained its military presence • Under U.S. control Spanish officials remained in power & those that protested were exiled or imprisoned • The American government did provide food & clothing, organized schools, helped farmers, improved sanitation, & provided medical care which saved hundreds from yellow fever

6. Platt Amendment • In 1900 the Cubans wrote their own constitution • The new constitution however, did not specify its relationship with the U.S. • As a result the U.S. insisted that the Platt Amendment be added to the constitution • The Amendment called for the following • Cuba could not make treaties that would allow a foreign power to control any part of the country • The U.S. reserved the right to intervene • Prohibit the government from going into a debt they could not repay • The U.S, had the right to buy or lease Cuban land for military or refueling purposes • The U.S. made it clear that it would not withdraw without the Amendments acceptance • The Cubans protested but ultimately accepted making her a protectorate of the U.S.

7. Protecting American Business Interests • The reason the U.S. insisted on a strong presence in Cuba was to protect American Business interests • The U.S. would attempt to control its neighbors in Latin America & would involve itself in other nations affairs to protect its business interests

8. Filipinos Rebel • In the Philippines the Filipinos reacted with outrage as the Treaty of Paris called for annexation of their country • The rebel leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, believed that the U.S. had promised independence & was now reneging • Aguinaldo & his followers vowed to fight for their freedom • In February of 1889 the revolt began • The U.S. responded with the very same tactics that the Spanish were condemned for • While there American forces looked down on the Filipinos as inferior • However, much of the American force was African American & when questioned why they were helping spread racial injustice some deserted to the Filipino side • It would take 3 years to put down the rebellion at the cost of $400 million, 20 times the amount paid for the islands, 4,000 American dead, & 20,000 rebel deaths • Under American rule the Philippines would move towards independence gaining it on July 4, 1946

9. Foreign Influence in China • The Philippines were viewed as the gateway to Asia partially China • China had already been begun to be carved up by many European nations • The U.S. feared that it may be locked out • In an attempt to protect American interests Secretary of State John Hay issued a series of notes called the Open Door Notes • The notes were sent to leaders of imperialist nations proposing that they share trading rights with the U.S. thus creating an “open door” • The idea was accepted allowing for trade in China for all

10. The Boxer Rebellion In China • Although China was able to keep her freedom Europeans dominated much of her major cities causing great resentment • In response the Chinese would form secret societies that would pledge to purge the country of the foreign devils • The most famous of these societies were the Boxers, so named because of their practice of the martial arts • In the end a multinational force would put down the rebellion within a matter of a few months • The Boxer Rebellion failed in it attempt to rid China of foreign control or the foreign devils

11. Protecting American Rights • After the Boxer Rebellion many feared that the conquering nations would exert further control over China • In response John Hay issued another series of Open Door notes that stated that the U.S. would safeguard the principle of open trade for all nations • This policy would provided the U.S. with a greater influence in Asia • The Open Door policy would reflect 3 major aspects that would become the backbone of American foreign policy • The growth of the American economy depended on foreign exports • The U.S. had the right to intervene in foreign matters in order to keep markets open • The closing an area to U.S. influence was detrimental to American survival

12. The Impact of American Territorial Gains • Not all w0uld favor imperialism as many prominent Americans such as Mark Twain, former President Grover Cleveland, Jane Adams, etc., would form the Anti-Imperialist league • They believed that it was wrong for the U.S. to rule another without their consent