U.S. Involvement Overseas Becoming a World Power (1880-1917)
Becoming a World Power
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Transcript of Becoming a World Power
Becoming a World Power
Copy the words in BLUE
Reasons for American Expansion
Imperialism: one people ruling or controlling other peoplesWhen America became a country, we did not look to set up colonies overseas.Involvement with other countries/lands could lead to war.George Washington believed the U.S. could not handle a war so early.
Reasons for American Expansion
Late 1800s:– Nationalism: If the U.S. wanted to be a world
power, we needed our own colonies.– Social Darwinism: The belief that American
democracy was the best form of government and would spread throughout the world.
Only the strongest survive – even governments
Expansion (cont.)
– Foreign Markets: Farming and industry believed expansion would increase American money ($$$)
• 1898: U.S. exported more than it imported.• Farmers wanted to sell products overseas.
NATIONALISM, SOCIAL DARWINISM, FOREIGN MARKETS
AMERICAN IMPERIALISM
Additions to the U.S.
1854 – Matthew Perry opens up relations with Japan after 200 years of isolation1867 – U.S. (William Seward) buys Alaska from Russia1867 – U.S. annexes (adds) Midway Island– Wanted to use island as a “midway” point
between America and Asia
1898 – U.S. annexes Hawaii after a revolt led by American farmers there
1898 – Spanish American War
Causes of the war– 1) Americans wanted to help Cuba win their
revolution for independence from Spain– 2) Yellow journalism = newspapers made up
sensational stories (appealed to emotions) about what was going on in Cuba to sell more papers (Hearst & Pulitzer)
– 3) U.S.S. Maine blew up in Havana Harbor, Cuba – newspapers blamed it on Spain
1898 – Spanish American War
The WAR– Fought in Cuba (on land) and in the Philippines
(naval battles)– American Navy destroyed the Spanish ships– Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders group up
San Juan Hill– Most fighting actually done by Cuban
Revolutionaries and the African American infantry– Most casualties died from malaria (not bullets)
Peace Talks
Peace Treaty with Spain– Treaty talks held in Paris– Cuba gets her independence– 1898 – U.S. receives Puerto Rico and Guam in
Spanish peace agreement and pays for the Philippines ($20 million)
After buying the Philippines: people turn to fighting for independence from the U.S. (5,000 lives lost)
Additions to the U.S. (cont.)
1899 – U.S. annexes Samoan Islands1899 – Secretary of State, John Hay, asked countries to have an “Open Door Policy” with China– Every country should be allowed to trade with China
1904 - 1914 – U.S. takes over the Canal Zone in Panama (control over the canal returned to Panama in 2000)