(1890 – 1914)

Goal 6 – Students will be able to analyze causes and effects of the United States emergence as a world power.

6.01 – Examine the factors that led to the United States taking an increasingly active role in world affairs.

6.02 – Identify the areas of the United States military, economic, and political involvement and influence.

6.03 – Describe how the policies and actions of the United States government impacted the affairs of other countries.

For Today, We will6.01 – Examine the factors

that led to the United States taking an

increasingly active role in world affairs.

A. Economics and National DefenseBackground/Introduction: Toward the end of the 19th century (Late 1800’s), a growing number of people in the US believed in Imperialism.

Imperialism – The belief that a nation should expand its borders and acquire overseas colonies/territories.

Spheres of Influence – Territories or nations over which another nation exercises control.

Imperialism

Imperialism

Reasons for ImperialismOne of the main reasons for imperialism was

economic. Many business leaders and politicians believed

that US expansion was important because it would provide the country with more economic markets and great potential for economic growth.

Mercantilism – Economic policy which holds that a nation should acquire wealth by exporting more goods than it imports.

Reasons for ImperialismThere was also a growing sense among many that

the United States needed to expand (or at least be capable of expansion) in order to remain secure.

Alfred T. Mahan – Navy officer who wrote the book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History. The book made a convincing case for the United States to build the most powerful navy if it ever hoped to be a world power and protect its interests abroad.

Just 10 years later, the United States had one of the most powerful navies in the world.

B. National Spirit and “Destiny”Background/Introduction: Many in the country felt that it was the pioneer spirit of the early

settlers that had made the US great. With the West conquered, some argued that the country

needed to look abroad with a new sense of adventure and purpose.

Frederick Jackson Turner – Famous US historian of the late 1800s. He believed that settling the frontier had played a vital role in forming the American character. Now that the West was “conquered” he believed it was important to maintain the national spirit and keep the nation strong for the US to expand.

Some leaders still backed the idea of Manifest Destiny and believed that overseas expansion posed the new frontier. They saw it as the responsibility and destiny of

whites in the US to civilize and take democracy to the rest of the world.

Just as businessmen had appealed to Social Darwinism to justify lassiez-faire capitalism, many of these leaders also appealed to it to justify US imperialism.

Since Spencer and Darwin had advocated “Survival of the Fittest”, many whites in the US believed it was only natural that the United States exercise control of the “less fit” and “inferior” races and nations.

Josiah Strong – A minister of the late 1800s. He believed in “Anglo Saxon Superiority” and advocated that expansion was both noble and the nation’s destiny.

Anglo-Saxon Superiority – The idea that White, English speaking people are biologically superior to other races of people.

The White’s Man Burden – Famous poem by British writer Rudyard Kipling. Most considered it to be an endorsement of the belief that it was the moral obligation of white Westerners to “civilize” and “help lesser people”.

6.01 Review Questions1. What is mercantilism and why did its supporters want

to see the US engage in imperialism?a. Mercantilism is the belief that a nation should conquer new

territories and establish colonies. Its supporters advocated imperialism because imperialism would guarantee that the US exported more than it imported.

b. Mercantilism is the belief that white society has an obligation to civilize “lesser” peoples. Its supporters advocated imperialism because they felt that the best way to accomplish this was through conquest.

c. Mercantilism is the belief that a nation should build wealth by exporting more than it imports. Its supporters advocated imperialism because it would allow the US to acquire more resources and become less dependent on foreign nations.

6.01 Review Questions2. What was Frederick Jackson Turner’s MAIN reason for encouraging imperialism?

a. He believed in mercantilismb.He believed it was essential to maintain the

national spirit and keep the US strong.c. He believed that the US had to have a strong

navy.d.He believed it was the “white mans’ burden.

6.01 Review Questions3. Between 1890 and the turn of the century, the United States developed one of the most formidable navies in the world. This was in large part due to which of the following?

a. John Pershingb.Franklin Rooseveltc. Alfred T. Mahand. Josiah Strong

Assignment:Complete the Map Activity!

Only label the areas on the map – we will answer the questions later.

Now that you know the reasons for Imperialism…“If you were the President, which countries would

you choose to takeover and why?” Pick 2-3 countries (World map – page A5 in back of red

book) Discuss the importance and significance of each

country in your future plans as President. What led you to choose each country?

Today, We Will6.02 – Identify the areas the

United States developed military, economic, political involvement and influence.

6.02 – Areas of US InvolvementA. Alaska

William Seward – Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.

“Seward’s Folly” – Term applied to the US purchase of Alaska by those who believed it to be a useless purchase. It turned out to be a wise purchase due to the rich natural resources and great economic potential of the region.

B. HawaiiBackground/Introduction: Business leaders in the United States had been investing in sugar

plantations in Hawaii for years. As time passed, these owners gained economic

control over the islands and struggled for power with the Hawaiian monarchy.

Queen Liliuokalani – Head of Hawaii during this time.

In 1893, the wealthy white plantation owners rebelled against the Queen, who opposed the increased control of the owners.

With the help of US troops from a nearby ship, the plantation owners seized the islands and deposed of the Queen.

Annexation of Hawaii – Process of the US acquiring Hawaii and making it an official US territory in 1893.

Once Hawaii became a part of the US, a military base was established to provide a refueling station for the US Navy to watch Asia. This Naval Base is called Pearl Harbor.

C. The Spanish-American WarBackground/Introduction:Cuba was under Spanish ruleIn 1895, the Cuban people rebelled against SpainSpain sent 150,000 troops to restore order They put thousands of Cubans in concentration

campsAs news of this spread, the US was put under

pressure to intervene.The US had also been building up its military –

and this would be a perfect way to test its strenght.

William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer – Competing newspaper editors of the late 1800s who engaged in “yellow journalism” and helped ignite the emotions of the US public to support war with Spain over Cuba.

“You give me the pictures and I’ll furnish the War” – Quote by Hearst; Shows how competitive and exaggerated these newspapers could be.

William Hearst Joseph Pulitzer

Yellow Journalism – Journalism of the late 1800s that often exaggerated facts about the sufferings of the Cuban people under Spain, or printed stories that were untrue for the sake of selling more papers.It played a major role in turning US public

opinion in favor of war with Spain

Jingoism – Sentiment that called for a tougher stance towards Spain and a more aggressive foreign policy.

De Lome Letter – A letter stolen by a Cuban rebel from the Spanish Ambassador (De Lome). In his letter, he criticized McKinley as being weak and needy. This letter was leaked to Newspapers and McKinley was outraged!

USS Maine – Ship sent by President McKinley to Cuba to observe the actions of the Spanish government; in reality the ship was placed there in case something went terribly wrong or got worse. Spain knew this and was upset. The USS Maine mysteriously exploded on Feb.

15, 1898. Its explosion was blamed on the Spanish –

Yellow Journalism helped fuelCongress declared War on Spain

Theodore Roosevelt – At this time, he was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He supported the idea of war and resigned his position in Washington once the war began to become Lt. Colonel in the armed forces.

Rough Riders – Band of Volunteers led by Roosevelt in Cuba during the Spanish American War. They were instrumental in the most famous victory of the war at San Juan Hill.

After the US declared war on Spain, the Us set their sights on another Spanish Colony – The Philippines.

US Commodore George Dewey – Leader of the US fleet that was sent to conquer the Philippines.

The Philippines – Island nation in the South Pacific that was ruled by Spain and was conquered by US Commodore George Dewey. As a result, the Philippines became a US Territory.

In three months, the US had defeated Spain in both Cuba and the Philippines.

“A Splendid Little War” – Quote from John Hay which referred to the US conquest of the Philippines and accurately captured what most US citizens felt towards the Spanish-American War as a whole.

Treaty of Paris – Treaty that officially ended the Spanish-American War after 3 months of fighting.

Teller Amendment – Amendment attached to Congress’ war resolution, it promised that the US would not annex Cuba (Cuba is Free).

However, to protect US business interests, President McKinley installed a US military government for three years to restore stability. Then in 1900, when the Cubans began drafting their own constitution, the United States Continued to exercise its influence.

Platt Amendment – An amendment which the US insisted be included in the Cuban constitution. It put limits on what the Cuban government could do, gave the US two naval bases in Cuba, and allowed for US intervention in the region whenever the US believed it was necessary.

Finally, as a result of the war, the US also acquired the territories of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

The Philippines Background/Introduction: Of the territories

that were involved in the Spanish American War, none caused more controversy than the Philippines. US citizens did not understand the reasons for occupying them.

Emilio Aguinaldo – Filipino leader who launched a resistance movement against any US occupation.

Guerilla Warfare – Strategy in which a weaker army/force often strikes quickly, inflicting damage, then retreats before its stronger enemy can fully retaliate. It is usually intended to frustrate and weaken an enemy’s willingness to fight rather than overpower and defeat in a head to head battle.

The fighting lasted more than two years and resulted in violent killings on both sides.

The US forces finally captured Aguinaldo in 1901, and in 1902, the Philippines became an unorganized territory of the United States.

In 1946, the Philippines officially became an independent nation.

E. The Panama CanalBackground/Introduction: President McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Theodore Roosevelt then became the 26th President of the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt was very much an imperialist and had played a major role in the Spanish-American War. He wanted the US to become a World Power.

In order to enable US ships to move more quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Roosevelt envisioned a canal across the Isthmus of Panama.

This canal would serve the US military and economic interests by allowing ships to travel between the US territories in the Pacific (Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam) and those in the Atlantic (Ports in Cuba and Puerto Rico) without have to go around South America.

President Roosevelt wanted to purchase the land; however, the Colombian government refused to sell the land.

Then in 1903, the Panamanian people revolted against the Colombians. Roosevelt then provided US support, which helped the Panamanians win their independence.

In return for the US help, the Panamanians allowed the US to lease the land needed for the canal.

Panama Canal – Manmade waterway across the Isthmus of Panama that allowed US ships to move more quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

F. Trouble with Mexico Background/Introduction: At the same time the

US was trying to finish the Panama Canal, Civil War was raging in Mexico.

Pancho Villa – Mexican revolutionary who led raids into New Mexico and killed 19 People.

In response, President Wilson sent a force of 15,000 troops under the leadership of General John Pershing to capture and kill the Mexican rebel.

Pershing’s troops went 300 miles into Mexican territory in pursuit of Villa, nearly causing a war between the US and Mexico.

World War I eventually drew Wilson’s attention away from the situation, and the US troops were recalled.

6.02 Review QuestionsWhat was yellow journalism and how did it help

lead to US involvement in Cuba?It was journalism aimed at covering the formation of

an independent Cuban government.It was journalism aimed at publishing editorials

condemning any plans the US might have to annex Cuba.

It was journalism aimed at accurately reporting conditions in Cuba in order to education citizens.

It was journalism designed to sell papers by exaggerating the sufferings of the Cuban people under Spanish rule.

6.02 Review QuestionsWhich of the following became a US

territory as a result of the Spanish-American War?GuamHawaiiAlaskaCuba

6.02 Review QuestionsWhat do “Seward’s Folly”, the annexation

of Hawaii, and yellow journalism all have in common?They each played a major role in starting the

Spanish American WarThey were each initially inspired by economic

interestsThey each led t the Us annexing island nations

in the Pacific Ocean.

6.02 Review QuestionsWhich of the following would be LEAST

likely to agree with imperialism?Theodore RooseveltSomeone associated with jingoismSomeone who reads Rudyard KiplingQueen Liliuokalani

AssignmentConstruct a Newspaper Cover Page about the

USS ExplosionNeed to Have:

Newspaper Title (TOP BOX) – 5 Points Sensational Headline (Above Article) – 10 Points Article:

Four Paragraphs with at least four sentences Include 5 real facts, dates, etc…involved in the sinking

of the USS Maine. Exaggerate other facts (make it as exciting as possible) Use correct grammar and spelling

Visual Depiction (Bottom Box) with Caption – 25 points

Today, We Will6.03 – Describe how the policies and actions of the United States government

impacted the affairs of other countries.

A. The Western HemisphereBackground/Introduction: By the 1900s, the United

States was becoming a major player in world affairs.

Roosevelt Corollary – Statement issued by President Theodore Roosevelt which expanded upon the Monroe Doctrine. It state that the US had the right to intervene in the affairs of nations in the Western Hemisphere if a nation was having trouble paying its debts. This policy led to increased US involvement in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Big Stick Diplomacy – Policy implemented by President Roosevelt. Its name came from a West African Proverb which said “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”. It meant that the US did not intend to be a threatening presence in the region, but neither would it hesitate to forcefully protect its own interests.

Following Roosevelt, President William Taft came into office.

Dollar Diplomacy – Policy implemented by President Taft who wanted to “substitute dollars for bullets.” It was a policy by which the US sought to maintain order abroad by increasing US investments in foreign nations. The policy sometimes meant huge losses for the Us businessmen and created enemies among some Latin Americans who resented the US trying to “buy” influence in the region.

In 1913,m President Woodrow Wilson succeeded Taft and renounced dollar diplomacy.

Missionary Diplomacy – Policy implemented by President Woodrow Wilson. It was based on the belief that the US had a moral obligation to ensure democracy flourished in Latin American and the Caribbean.

B. The Pacific and Southeast Asia Background/Introduction: Following the War

with Spain, the US possessed territories that spanned the Pacific Ocean. In addition to protecting these areas, trade with China became a major concern entering the 20th century (1900s).

Fearing that European imperial powers would try to gain control over Chinese exports and markets, the United States insisted to an Open Door Policy with China.

Open Door Policy – Policy in which China would be open trade with a number of foreign markets (including the US) rather than closed to all but a few imperial powers.

Some Chinese nationalists, however, wanted to bring an end to foreign influence in China.

Boxer Rebellion – Rebellion led by Chinese nationalists determined to force foreign influence out of the country. These “Boxers” killed 300 foreigners and Chinese Christians. The rebellion failed when the US and other imperial powers sent troops to put it down.

6.03 Review Questions “Speak softly and carry a big stick…” is

associated with the foreign policy of which US president?

Theodore Roosevelt William Taft Woodrow Wilson William McKinley

6.03 Review QuestionWhat did Wilson hope to see flourish as a

result of his missionary diplomacy?US business interests in HaitiFederal protection of citizens in New MexicoDemocracy in the Western HemisphereUS investments in Latin America.