Imperialism….how the U.S. acquired territories

Imperialism: the economic and political domination by a strong nation OVER a weaker nation

Protectorate: imperial power allowed the local rulers to stay in

control and protected them against rebellions and invasion.

Feeling of Superiority

Anglo-Saxonism-- • Having the quality, qualities, traits, or outlook regarded as distinctive of the English

• the belief in the superiority of Anglo-Saxon characteristics or of the Anglo-Saxon people

 

The Need for More Markets

Productivity created surpluses Export to foreign markets Spurring of US expansionism

Acquisition of new lands Increase American glory and prestige Led to growing involvement in Latin America

and Hawaii and Samoa

AlaskaSecretary of State William Seward arranged to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

Alaska was formally transferred to the United States on October 18, 1867

Advantages of Alaska—

Stop over to China

Gold

Oil

Seward’s Folly

Commercial/Business Interests

Commercial/Business Interests

U. S. Foreign Investments: 1869-1908

U. S. Foreign Investments: 1869-1908

American Foreign

Trade:1870-1914

American Foreign

Trade:1870-1914

Commercial Business

Interests

Commercial Business

Interests

Military/Strategic InterestsMilitary/Strategic Interests

Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783

Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783

Have a two ocean navyModernize our navy,

from wood to Steel.Acquire possessions in

the Pacific for use as coaling and resupplying stations.

Acquire islands in the Caribbean.

Build a canal in Central America.

Henry Cabot Lodge “Our Blundering Foreign Policy,” (March 1895)

 

“Small states are of the past and have no future. . . . The great nations are rapidly absorbing for their future expansion and their present defense all the waste places of the earth. It is a movement which makes for civilization and the advancement o the race. As one of the great nations of the world, the United states must not fall out of the line of march.”

Hawaiian Queen LiliuokalaniHawaiian Queen Liliuokalani

Hawaii becomes a U. S. Protectorate in

1849 by virtue of

economic treaties.

Why U.S. Wanted Hawaii??

• A stop between China and U.S. when shipping.

• In 1820 Missionaries from New England discovered the climate and soil was good to grow sugar cane.

• American Whaling ships operating in North Pacific used Hawaii as base.

• 1875 Trade Agreement --exempt sugar cane tariff.

• Renewal of agreement – exclusive Right to Pearl Harbor.

U. S. Business Interests In Hawaii

U. S. Business Interests In Hawaii

1875 – Reciprocity Treaty

1890 – McKinley Tariff

1893 – Americanbusinessmen backed anuprising against Queen Liliuokalani.

Sanford Ballard Dole proclaims the Republic

of Hawaii in 1894.

One of the powerful planters in Hawaii whose interests were threatened by tariff

changes and Liliuokalani's policies. Family created the Dole Fruit Company.

To The Victor Belongs the Spoils

To The Victor Belongs the Spoils

Hawaiian Annexation Ceremony, 1898

Hawaiian Annexation Ceremony, 1898

Annex: To incorporate into country/state

CubaMcKinley was in officeCuba under harsh Spanish ruleSeen as natural expansion for US territoryUS imposed sugar tariff caused economic chaosCuban rebels launched revolution against Spain

Caused economy to fall apart Massive destruction of

countrysideAmerican concerns rose

$50 million invested in sugar industry

Exports to US plummeted

Spanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in Cuba

Spanish-American War 1898 USS Maine in Havana Harbor Exploded February 1898 Spanish blamed, although was determined an

accident (YELLOW JOURNALISM: exaggeration of conditions by the U.S. press in order to sell more newspapers)

US troops sent in Battle of San Juan Hill Theodore Roosevelt and Rough Riders First and last major battle

Treaty of ParisCuba gained independence

US acquired Guam and Puerto Rico and purchased Philippines

REMEMBER THE

MAINE!!!

“Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism

“Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism

Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer

William Randolph HearstWilliam Randolph Hearst

Hearst to Frederick Remington: You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war!

Remember the Maineand to Hell with Spain!Remember the Maineand to Hell with Spain!

Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

USA takes/buys the PhilippinesMay 1, 1898 –Commodore George Dewey led squadron in Manila Bay in Philippines

Destroyed and captured Spanish warships

Army sent 20,000 troops from San Francisco to the Philippines. On way they seized the island Guam.

Win people over by reforming education, transportation and health reform

War over summer 1902

The Treaty of Paris: 1898The Treaty of Paris: 1898

Cuba was freed from Spanish rule.

Spain gave up Puerto Rico and the island ofGuam.

The U. S. paid Spain$20 mil. for thePhilippines.

The U. S. becomesan imperial power!

Started as Teller Amendment (1898)

Platt Amendment (1903)

1. Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with foreign powers that would endanger its independence.

2. The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary to maintain an efficient, independent govt.

3. Cuba must lease Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for naval and coaling station.

4. Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt.

Cuban Independence?Cuban Independence?

Senator Orville Platt

Senator Orville Platt

Quiz Yo’self

The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: 1905The Roosevelt Corollary to

the Monroe Doctrine: 1905

Chronic wrongdoing… may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of an

international police power .

“Speak softly and carry a big stick”

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

Asserted right of US to act as international police power in Latin America

Speak Softly,But Carry a Big Stick!

Speak Softly,But Carry a Big Stick!

Panama CanalPanama Canal

TR in Panama(Construction begins in

1904)

TR in Panama(Construction begins in

1904)

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty signed with Great Britain gave US exclusive right to build and control any proposed canal through Central America

YELLOW FEVER!

Building of the Panama CanalResulted in 22, 000 deaths from Construction and YELLOW FEVER from mosquitos

New technology/building techniques allow construction and removal of TONS of land

48 miles long through a series of 6 gates

US acquisition in 1904 -Completed in 1914

Took nearly 8,000 miles off the journey from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific ocean

Panama Canal:

Efficiency

Construction of canal through Central America was vital to American world power

**opened up Asia as efficient trading market… MORE $$$**

America as a Pacific Power

America as a Pacific Power

The Great White Fleet: 1907The Great White Fleet: 1907

The Open Door PolicyThe Open Door Policy

Secretary John Hay.

Give all nations equalaccess to trade in China.

Guaranteed that China would NOT be taken over by any one foreign power.

TheOpen Door

Policy

TheOpen Door

Policy

William H. Taft’s Policy

“Dollar Diplomacy” Encourage US

businesses to invest in foreign regions

Use dollars—not bullets—to advance US authority and prosperity while promoting worldwide economic stability

Woodrow WilsonUS should champion democracy around globe and help maintain world peace

“Moral Diplomacy”—self-determination Allowed US to meddle

in Latin America and Asia

Understanding ImperialismIndustrial Revolution surplus products export goods foreign trade (expansion of

economic markets)

Cuba—area of expansionism for many US businesses; sought independence from Spain;

Explosion of U.S.S. Maine led to Spanish-American War Cuban independence and US gained Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines thus becoming imperial nation