American Imperialism: Annexation and Empire Debate

1. A New Empire American Foreign Policy

2. Annexation and Empire • Newly acquired land after the Spanish-American War: Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines • Debate over American ideals of independence OR ruling a foreign country without the consent of its people • Annexation- one country taking political, economic, or military control of another country

3. Annexation and Empire Pros- The Imperialists Cons- The Anti-Imperialists Cost of empire > economic benefits Cheap foreign labor drives down American wages= unemployment Imperialism violates American principles • More markets for American goods • Business opportunities • Natural resources • Military bases • Help “less civilized” people • “Free oppressed people”

4. Annexing the Philippines • McKinley decides to take-over the Philippines • Reasons: • Pride- Giving them back to Spain would be cowardly and dishonorable • Competition- Giving them over to another European power would be bad for business • Superiority- The Filipinos are unfit to rule themselves • No other choice but to take them, educate them, civilize them, and Christianize them

5. Filipino Response • Philippine-American War-Filipino troops attack American soldiers, lasted for 3 years • 4,300 American soldiers die • 50,000-200,000 Filipinos die • Americans set up reconcentration camps- Thousands die from disease or starvation • Governor of the Philippines, William Howard Taft tries to improve education, roads, bridges, transportation, health care • Philippines granted independence in 1946

6. Platt Amendment and Cuba • Amendment to the Cuban Constitution • Can’t make treaties with other nations that might weaken its independence • U.S. can set up naval bases in Cuba • Debts kept low to avoid European intervention • U.S. can intervene to protect Cuban independence

7. Foraker Act and Puerto Rico • Established government in Puerto Rico • Puerto Rican government controlled by the U.S. but Puerto Ricans not U.S. citizens • Debate over Puerto Rican statehood still debated today

8. Open Door Policy • Sphere of Influence- area where a foreign nation controlled economic development like railroads • U.S. interested in developing trade with Asian countries like China • Open Door Policy • All countries are allowed to trade with China • Countries not allowed to interfere in the businesses of other countries

9. Panama Canal • Theodore Roosevelt believed a strong military presence discouraged fighting=peace • “Speak softly and carry a big stick” • Needed a faster way to Asia • Important for U.S. military power in the world • Canal would save time and money for the military AND commercial/business shipments