American Imperialism

American Imperialism

America Builds an Empire


Imperialism- When a more powerful country exerts influence or force on weaker, poorer countries.


Alfred Thayer Mahan –

Naval officer who believed in the theory of seapower – the strongest countries have the strongest navies


• Alaska was purchased by the United States from Russia in 1867 for 7.2 million

• This equates to only $0.02 cents per acre!


William Seward – United States secretary of state from 1861-1869 who negotiated the purchase of Alaska


Seward’s Ice Box or Seward’s Folly – name that was mockingly given to the purchase of Alaska.

Many people felt that it was a waste of money, that Alaska was nothing but tundra


Why were they wrong? – Alaska is rich in natural resources

Timber - gold - oil


Hawaii – annexed in 1898

Why was Hawaii important?• Economically – link between the U.S. and

the Pacific• Militarily – Great natural harbor for the

navy


How did the U.S. acquire Hawaii?Queen Liliʻuokalani was thrown from power by the Committee of Safety, an all white group of Hawaiians. The U.S. sends a company of marines and the queen resigned. Hawaii was annexed by William McKinley in 1898


Cuban Revolution – Cuba was struggling for independence from Spain. Public opinion was split

a. Businessmen wanted American intervention to look out for their best interests

b. The people wanted to remain at peace


Yellow Journalism – Pulitzer and Hearst published sensationalized stories that heightened tensions between the U.S. and Spain

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De Lome Letter – letter written by the Spanish ambassador to the U.S. to the foreign minister of Spain that was critical of U.S. president McKinley.

It was published in newspapers, eventually leading to De Lome’s resignation


Sinking of the MaineWhen a riot broke out in Havana, the U.S. sends the U.S.S. Maine to protect American interests and citizens

Sinking of the MaineOn Feb 15th, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana harbor, killing 260 sailors.Newspapers would blame the Spanish


The United States Blockaded Cuba on April 21st, Spain Declared War April 23rd.

The first battle of the war was the Battle of Manila Bay.

George Dewey and his Pacific fleet defeated the Spanish with only one casualty.


The biggest problem faced by U.S. troops in Cuba was Disease.

~345 were killed in combat~2,565 were killed by disease


Rough Riders – name for the First United States Volunteer Cavalry. Formed with the help of Theodore Roosevelt to fight the Spanish in Cuba

The hero of San Juan hill was Theodore Roosevelt

The entire war only lasted 3+ months

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nDCVfnYBhk





Treaty of Paris (1898) – Cuba was given protectorate status.

Protectorate- a country who’s defense is provided for by a larger, more powerful country

American ImperialismTeller Resolution- stated that the U.S. could not annex Cuba. Platt Amendment- Stipulated the conditions for the withdraw of U.S. troops from Cuba1. U.S. troops leave2. U.S. reserves the right to intervene in

Cuba (Cuba is a protectorate)3. U.S. leases Guantanamo Bay for a naval

base


Spain cedes Puerto Rico to the U.S.Foraker Act –

1. Dictated the terms for citizenship of Puerto Ricans

2. Set up the government of Puerto Rico


Spain also ceded the pacific island of Guam to the United States

The United States also received the Philippines from Spain. The U.S. pays Spain 20 million for it


The U.S. criticized Spain for suppressing revolution in Cuba. When a revolt breaks out in the Philippines, the United States does the same thing

In 1899 a war is fought between U.S. troops and Philippine rebels. It finally ends in 1902, with the Philippines finally becoming an American territory


Commodore Perry – Naval officer who entered Tokyo bay in 1853 to convince the Japanese to trade with the U.S.


Open Door Policy- foreign policy that stated all nations should have equal access to trade with the Chinese Boxer Rebellion- in 1899 the Chinese revolted against foreign influence. A coalition of imperial powers defeats the Chinese.


Monroe Doctrine – No European influence in Western Hemisphere

Roosevelt Corollary – The U.S. will intervene in conflicts between European powers and countries in the Western Hemisphere


Big Stick Diplomacy-The idea of negotiating peacefully but also pressuring nations with a powerful military“Speak softly and carry a big stick”


Great White Fleet – 16 U.S. Battleships completed a circumnavigation of the globe. The ships were painted white.This was a show of force to the world


Dollar Diplomacy – The use of economic power to influence the policy of other nations

Missionary/Moral Diplomacy – The United States will not recognize any nation that is hostile to American interests or other nations.


Why was Panama Canal important? – Made travel between Atlantic + Pacific Oceans much shorter

How did the U.S. acquire the Panama Canal?Panamanians started a revolt against Colombia, Roosevelt supported the rebels in exchange for being allowed to build and operate the Panama canal

Documents

American Imperialism