10.3 Acquiring New Lands How did the U.S. continue imperialism after their conflicts with Spain?

10.3 Acquiring New Lands

How did the U.S. continue imperialism after their conflicts

with Spain?

Puerto Rico

• Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory as a result of the Spanish-American War

• Forces there said they would protect Puerto Ricans, but other military officials insulted them and set limits on their personal freedom

• Many resented the military government; in 1900 Congress passed the Foraker Act, which set up a civil government

• In 1917, Congress made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens

Cuba

• Cuba was officially independent after the war, but the U.S. army remained there for four years; Cubans who didn’t like the occupation were punished

• In 1900, the Cuban government wrote a constitution, and the U.S. insisted they add the Platt Amendment, which limited Cuba’s rights in dealing with other countries

• It gave the U.S. special privileges, like the right to intervene to ‘preserve order’

• Cuba became a U.S. protectorate, a country whose affairs are controlled by a stronger power

Filipino Rebellion

• Filipinos had been fighting for independence for years

• They were angry the U.S. had annexed their islands; rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo believed that the U.S. had promised independence and felt betrayed after the U.S. helped them win against Spain

• Aguinaldo started a three year long rebellion in 1899; the U.S. won and eventually set up a similar government to Cuba’s in the Philippines

Influence in China

• By 1899, the U.S. wanted to be able to trade with China

• The Secretary of State, John Hay, sent a statement of policy to other countries, which became known as the Open Door notes

• They called for China’s ports to remain open and for China to remain independent; no country would have special trading rights

• By 1900, a secret society in China started a rebellion

Continued

• This rebellion protested the influence of Western countries in China

• Troops from many countries, including the U.S., fought against the rebels, or Boxers

• After the Boxer Rebellion was defeated, the U.S. issued more Open Door notes to make sure other countries did not make colonies out of China

Impact of Imperialism

• McKinley was reelected in 1900; his opponent was an anti-imperialist

• This outcome suggests most of the country was supportive of imperialism at the time

• There was strong opposition from prominent members of society; the Anti-Imperialist League formed and included former President Cleveland, Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams, and Mark Twain

• They all agreed it was wrong for the U.S. to rule people without their consent