Imperial America

The United States in the World 1890-1914

European Imperialism 1839-1842: Opium War opens

spheres of influence in China to European powers

1889: US, Great Britain and Germany establish a protectorate over Samoan Islands

Partition of Africa US only opportunity: Western

Hemisphere & China European Imperialism or American

Imperialism

The Impulse for Expansion Manifest Destiny Problem: 1890’s 90% of US goods

sold in US = depressions Solution: Overseas empire

Navy Captain Alfred T. Mahan-powerful navy = world power The Influence of Sea Power on history:

1660-1783 Great White Fleet 1907

Social Darwinism

Goal: An Empire without large scale permanent military occupation and costly colonial administration

Acquisitions and Actions 1854: Commodore Perry

open’s Japan for trade

1867: Seward’s Folly

1889: US, Great Britain and Germany establish a protectorate over Samoan Islands

1893: Overthrow of Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani by Dole, Inc. Cleveland does not bring it into Union

YELLOW JOURNALISM

CARTOON

WHERE THE

TERM “YELLOW

JOURNALISM”

CAME FROM

IN 1898 NEWSPAPERS PROVIDED THE

PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION. PEOPLE

LACKED THE ABILITY TO VERIFY IF

THE STORIES WERE BIASED OR

INACCURATE AND THEREFORE

RELIED UPON NEWSPAPERS TO TELL

THE TRUTH. PULITZER AND HEARST

TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE PUBLIC’S

IGNORANCE BY TWISTING THE TRUTH

TO SELL MORE NEWSPAPERS.

SENSATIONALIZED STORIES WERE

FEATURED HEAVILY IN THEIR

NEWSPAPERS SINCE EXCITING

HEADLINES INCREASED

CIRCULATION.

The Growing Conflict with Spain 1895: Cubans begin fighting their war

of independence against Spain 1896: Filipinos begin fighting their war

of independence against Spain Re- concentration of Cubans Yellow Press

The Decision to Intervene in Cuba De Lome Letter Maine Explosion Declaration of War with Spain

Teller Amendment-promised to leave the island to the Cubans

US investment in Cuba - $50 million ***** Pres. McKinley proclaims Hawaii a US Terr.

Fighting the War against Spain Treaty of Paris 1898

Cuba

Guam

Puerto Rico

Philippines $20 million

Platt Amendment: reserves the right for US military to govern Cuba and cedes Guantanamo Bay base to US military Violates the spirit of the Teller

amendment and allows for US domination of Cuban sugar market

I have studied the Constitution of the US and I

find in it no authority for colonies and I have no fear…

You, newspapers forgot about us!!!! We were there as well!!!!

“…we do not intend to

free, but to subjugate

the people of the

Philippines. We have

gone there to conquer,

not to redeem.”

Mark Twain, 1900

“In the forcible annexation of

the Philippines our Nation

neither adds to its strength

nor secures broader

opportunities for the

American people.”

William Jennings Bryan, 1899

Arguments against imperialism in the

Philippines

The Debate over Colonies Anti-Imperialist League

Politicians-WJB

Progressive Reformers

Writers

Industrialists

Labor Europe still big market

$$$ to maintain

Constitutional Rights??? To Colonists

Distract from problems at home

Pro- expansionist

There was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and

uplift and civilize and Christianize them.”

The Philippine-American War 1899:Guerilla war begins in

Philippines in opposition to US occupation

1902: Guerilla war in Philippines ends/ 1out of 5 Filipinos & 4,500 US soldiers killed

Philippine Government Act: establishes limited self government for Philippines; President appoints a governor; promises eventual self determination

1946: Philippines receive independence from US

The Open Door in China Most-favored trading status

Missionaries/America China Development Company: US businessmen with the goal of accelerating US business interest in China

Sphere of Influence

Open Door Policy 1899:US announces Open Door policy in China-idea that

European powers in China should open their areas of influence to US trade

This is the foundation of 20th Century US foreign policy

Boxer Rebellion US assists in putting down Boxer

Rebellion in China (Harmonious Righteous Fists)

Relations with Japan Russo-Japanese War

T.R. mediates peace treaty between Japan & Russia at Portsmouth Conference

“Yellow Peril” Yellow Peril” vs. “White Pearl” T.R. sends “Great White Fleet”

around the world tour

Gentlemen's Agreement 1907 Japanese agreement to deny

passports to Japanese workers intending to immigrate to the US

Angel Island- immigration processing station in the San Francisco Bay for Asian immigrants.

The Panama Canal 1902:Hay-Herran Treaty: to

provide US land for construction of Panama canal/rejected by Colombian govt.

1903:Philippe Bunau-Varilla stages Colombian “revolution” in a NYC hotel room!

1914:Panama Canal completed

1921: Congress informally apologies to Colombia by paying out $25 million

2003: Canal handed over

The Roosevelt Corollary 1904 Police and protect canal

“International police power”