View
220
Download
3
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
TOWARD EMPIRETOWARD EMPIRE
America: Past and PresentAmerica: Past and Present
Chapter 21Chapter 21
Nineteenth Century
U.S. society felt protected by Atlantic and Pacific oceans
Tendency towards isolationism: the belief that the U.S. should take care of its own matters and not get tangled up in world power and not get tangled up in world power struggles.
Prevailing policy was the “Monroe Doctrine” which limited U.S. interests only to the Americas and the Caribbean. The message for other European powers, interested in establishing more influence in the Americas, was “hands off.”
America Looks Outward
U.S. expansion shifts after 1890
Strategically placed islands taken, intended only as colonies intended only as colonies
Balance of Power
Britain had been the unchallenged leader on the world stage in the 1800s with France as an important contender as well.
By the late 1800s, however, a new collection of countries such as Germany, Japan, and Russia, threatened this balance.
Saving Face
Acquiring and running colonies became an important means of important means of showing status.
Another form of status was in the size and presence of naval power.
“ ‘cause we are living in an imperialworld and I am an imperial girl.”
• Not said by Queen Victoria• Not said by Queen Victoria(but should have)
Catching the Spirit of Empire
Domestic concerns dominated the post-Civil War years
1870s bring new interest in areas 1870s bring new interest in areas beyond U.S. boundaries
Internationalism began to replace nationalism
Reasons for Expansion
Expansion abroad sought to gain markets
Evolutionary ideas encourage Evolutionary ideas encourage expansion to give guidance to native peoples elsewhere
Missionary spirit expressed in Josiah Strong's popular Our Country (1885)
Foreign Policy Approaches:1867-1900
Expansionist foreign policy
Acquisitions: Alaska, Midway Islands
Erode European influence in Latin Erode European influence in Latin America– diverts Latin American trade from Europe
through a series of reciprocity treaties
– U.S. supports Venezuela against Great Britain
The Lure of Hawaii and Samoa
1875--U.S. grants Hawaiian sugar free entry
Queen Liliuokalani retaliates for McKinley Queen Liliuokalani retaliates for McKinley Tariff, attempts to reduce U.S. influence
1893--American settlers pull off coup
1898--Hawaii made U.S. possession
1872--U.S. granted port facilities in Samoa
1899--U.S. shares control with Germany
Hawaiian Islands
The New Navy
Alfred Mahan argues that overseas markets are essential for industrial surpluses
Large merchant marine, strong navy Large merchant marine, strong navy needed
1889--Secretary of Navy Benjamin Tracy supervises a program of naval construction
U.S. gains offensive capability at sea
War with Spain
The war increased overseas possessions
It also gained the U.S. recognition as a It also gained the U.S. recognition as a “world power”
Americans became convinced they had a special destiny
A War for Principle
February, 1895--rebellion in Cuba "Yellow press" whips up U.S. sentiment
to favor Cuban independenceMcKinley gains Spanish concessions McKinley gains Spanish concessions
February, 1898--explosion of the Maine April 19--Congress declares Cuba
independent, passes "Teller Amendment"
April 25--U.S. declares war on Spain
Yellow Journalism
Journalism leaders such as William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer and Joseph Pulitzer play up the atrocities of Spanish officials such as this public execution of rebels against Spanish rule.
An account of Spanish cruelty fromPulitzer’s New York World
“Blood on the roadsides, blood in the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood. The old, the young, the blood, blood. The old, the young, the weak, the crippled—are butchered without mercy. Is there no nation wise enough, brave enough,strong enough to restore peace in this bloodsmitten land?”
“Remember the Maine!”
In February 1898, the U.S.S. Maine explodes in Havana Harbor. The cause remains a mystery to this day. At mystery to this day. At the time, journalism played the event up as a deliberate attack of the Spanish against the United States. As one historian put it: “But America no longer thought; she merely felt.”
"A Splendid Little War"
U.S. regular army small, ill-prepared
Problems of equipment and supply– regulars possess latest Krag-Jorgensen – regulars possess latest Krag-Jorgensen
rifles
– Guard units possess old Springfield rifles
Most soldiers fight in National Guard units
“Smoked Yankees”
African Americans serve in army Guard units
Black troops resist segregation Black troops resist segregation
African American soldiers win 26 Certificates of Merit, 5 Congressional Medals of Honor
The Course of the War
May 1--Commodore George Dewey captures Manila Bay
June--Cuba invaded June--Cuba invaded
July--Santiago surrenders, Puerto Rico occupied
August 13--Philippines surrender
Spanish-American War: PacificTheater
Spanish-American War:Caribbean Theater
Acquisition of Empire
Fate of the Philippines was the thorniest issue at the peace negotiations
December 1898--Treaty of Paris December 1898--Treaty of Paris– Cuba independent
– U.S. takes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines
The Treaty of Paris Debate
Debate over annexation of the Philippines
Opponents formed the Anti-Imperialist Opponents formed the Anti-Imperialist League
February, 1899--ratification of peace treaty makes U.S. a colonizing nation
Now What?!!
The United States was faced with a dilemma of what to do with these new territories.Had promised Cubans that the U.S. Had promised Cubans that the U.S. would not try to acquire the island.
A debate raged over whether the U.S. should hold on to the newly-acquired territories or support their independence.
The Imperialism Debate
Those in favor of holding onto the acquired lands said that their inhabitants were not ready for self rule.
Those against keeping these holdings argued that it was unfitting for a democratic nation that
not ready for self rule. Moreover, the United States needed bases and coaling stations for its ships. Some argued that the trade and strategic value of these lands merited their being part of the U.S. sphere of influence.
democratic nation that was itself born out of independence to now seek out colonies. It would also be a drain on resources to maintain and operate these lands.
American Empire, 1900
Guerrilla Warfare in thePhilippines
1898-1901--Emilio Aguinaldo leads Philippine independence movement
1901--U.S. replaces military with civil 1901--U.S. replaces military with civil rule – local self-government permitted
– schedule established for independence
July 4, 1946--Philippine independence
World Colonial Empires, 1900
Governing the Empire
Supreme Court permits selective application of Constitution to new territories
Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico organized as Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico organized as territories, inhabitants made U.S. citizens
Navy controls Guam
Cuban constitution ends U.S. occupation
Platt Amendment--U.S. given right to intervene in Cuban affairs
The Open Door
March, 1900--"Open Door" policy in China– no European nation should carve out a – no European nation should carve out a
sphere of influence in China and exclude others from trading in the area
Policy opens the potential for later conflict with expansion-minded powers in Pacific
Outcome of the War withSpain
Teddy Roosevelt a war hero
Set back the cause of civil rights for Set back the cause of civil rights for African Americans
Confirms Republicans as majority party
U.S. soldiers stationed outside the country
Recommended