American ImperialismChapter 18

What is Imperialism?

political, military, and economic domination (complete control) of strong nations over weak territories

Why Imperialism? Economic Causes

desire for raw materials & natural resources

need for new markets for American exports – U.S. was producing more goods than Americans could consume

Why Imperialism? Political / Strategic Causes

need to protect trade & U.S. interests abroad

to strengthen U.S. navy; needed for refueling stations abroad (navy bases)

USS Maine

Launched in 1889, the USS Maine was a modernized steel-plated, steam-powered

battleship.

The Spanish-American War

Causes of the Spanish-American WarPeople of Cuba & Philippines

wanted to rebel against Spain

Depression of 1890 in Cuba; 1895 Cubans revolted against Spain

Spanish used harsh tactics against Cubans (Gen. Valeriano “the Butcher” Weyler)

American press (“yellow journalism”) reported cruelties; Pulitzer & Hearst created sympathy for Cubans

American investments & property destroyed during Cuban revolt

“The Butcher” Weyler

Joseph Pulitzer,

journalist for New York

World

America Declares WarFeb 9, 1898 – DeLome

Letter printed in Hearst’s Journal – called McKinley weak & stupid

Feb 15, 1898 – USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor killing 266 American sailors; press blamed Spain - “War? Sure!”

McKinley asked Congress to declare war

April 19, Congress declared war & adopted Teller Amendment – US had no intention of annexing Cuba

“A Splendid Little War”

War fought on 2 fronts: Caribbean (Cuba & P.R.) Pacific (Philippines)

Commodore George Dewey led the naval destruction of Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, Philippines in May 1898; by Aug. Spanish troops surrendered

Emilio Aguinaldo led Filipino rebels against Spain

U.S. troops land in Cuba by June; T. Roosevelt led Rough Riders in Cuba – charged up San Juan Hill which opened way into Santiago harbor

Spanish-American War: Apr 25 - Aug 12, 1898; US won

Rough Riders

Treaty of Paris, 1898

1. Spain recognized Cuban independence (would become a U.S. protectorate)

2. U.S. paid Spain $20 mill. to give up the Philippines

3. Guam (Pacific) and Puerto Rico ceded to the U.S. Guam still U.S. possession; Puerto Rico is a

commonwealth

Effects of the Spanish American War

U.S. recognized as a world power & acquired an overseas empire (leads to debate over expansion)

U.S. annexation of Philippines led to Philippine-American War led by Emilio Aguinaldo (3 years; 216,000 Filipinos died & 5,000 Americans)

1946 - Philippines given independence U.S. made Cuba a “protectorate” (Platt

Amendment added to Cuba’s constitution) & soon gave Cuba independence

Work on this…Spanish-American War Review…Index Card:

List or draw 2 causes & 1 effect of the war

Spanish-American War

Causes & Effects

Debate over Expansion:Should U.S. annex Philippines

Imperialists supported expansionArguments:1. Americans needed new frontier2. New markets for American

manufactured goods3. New sources of raw materials4. Increase in military power5. Spread American ideals: Christianity,

democracy, capitalism6. American superiority – our “duty”

Debate Over Expansion: Should U.S. annex Philippines?

Anti-imperialists opposed expansion Arguments:1. Rejected nation’s foundation of

“liberty for all”2. Faced enough difficulties at home3. Threatened democratic foundations

(fear of large standing armies)4. Racism – might have to absorb people

of different races5. Expansion would cost too much6. Fear of competition in job market;

lower wages

New Lands Come Under U.S. Flag

Hawaii (1891) U.S. annexed after queen was deposed by a wealthy planter Sanford Dole & U.S. Marines

Guam (1898) Treaty of Paris, 1898Puerto Rico (1898) Treaty of Paris, 1898Midway Islands (1867) U.S. occupied &

annexed – for naval baseAlaska (1867) U.S. purchased from Russia for

$7.2 million (“Seward’s Folly,” “Seward’s Icebox”)

Samoa (1899) U.S. acquired base at Pago Pago

Philippines (1898) Treaty of Paris, 1898

Panama CanalWho: Theodore Roosevelt

What: waterway linking Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; greatly reduced travel time between U.S. coastlines

When: construction began 1904; finished in 1914

Why: for commercial and strategic advantages; facilitated trade; alternative to needing separate navies for each ocean (page 606 – 607)

How Did U.S. Acquire Rights to Build the Canal?

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty signed with Panama in 1904

Panama Canal Timeline: 1) 1903: U.S. negotiated treaty w/ Colombia

(Panama part of)2) Colombian gov’t stalled treaty demanding more money3) Roosevelt impatient – supported Panama’s revolt4) U.S. recognized Panama’s independence, negotiated treaty w/ Panama ($10 mill; $250,000 yearly lease for 10 mile wide strip)

Panama Canal Today

1978 Panama Canal Treaty negotiated during Jimmy Carter’s Presidency; canal gradually transitioned to Panama’s control

Transition completed in 2000 – Panama owns and operates canal today

Review: What is the Monroe Doctrine?

Issued by President Monroe in 1823

We (United States) won’t bother you (Europe), you don’t bother us (Western Hemisphere)

Roosevelt Corollary(To Monroe Doctrine)

Why? Europeans threatened intervention in W. Hemisphere (to collect debts, etc.)

When and how stated? In Dec. 1904 by Roosevelt in message to Congress

Central Message: if intervention in W. Hemisphere necessary, U.S. would intervene, not European nations

Roosevelt CorollaryWhen / Where / How Tested? Early 1900’s in Dominican

Republic, Nicaragua, Haiti, Virgin Islands – U.S. used various methods of intervention

Significance / Effect on U.S. – Latin American

Relations: Made U.S. the international police

power in W. Hemis.; led to U.S. intervention; damaged relations w/ Latin American nations

Latin America Diplomacy What does the word “diplomacy” mean?

managing or negotiating with other countries Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy Taft’s Dollar

DiplomacyWilson’s Moral Diplomacy

“Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick” - T. RooseveltOld African proverbDescribes Roosevelt’s foreign policy: - Use diplomacy, but have power to enforce

it and protect American interests - Intervention if necessary - “big stick” = the U.S. navy

Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”

Maintain orderly societies abroad by increasing American investment in foreign economies

“Substituting “dollars for bullets”

Taft’s foreign policy not as aggressive as Roosevelt’s

Wilson attempts a new direction:Moral Diplomacy

1912 Wilson criticized foreign policy under TR and Taft

Wilson: promised US would not seek new territory but would work to promote “human rights, national integrity & opportunity”

Still ordered interventions in Haiti, Dominican Republic & Mexico