American Imperialism

Objectives

Content: Analyze evidence on the Maine explosion and determine which newspaper is more believable.

Language: Explain the 4 causes of the Spanish American War.

Causes of the Spanish American War

1. Protection of American business interests in Cuba (mostly sugar cane)

2. America wanted to help Cuban rebels gain independence from Spain

3. The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba

4. Yellow Journalism

The Spanish American War

April 25, 1898 – December 10,1898

(8 months)The United States declared war on Spain after the sinking of the battleship U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba.

Yellow Journalism and War

Newspapers resorted to headlines that exaggerated and sensationalized events in order to sell more papers.

This increased public support for the war

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU5l4yQCpMM&feature=related

Objectives

Content: Predict why the United States acquired Alaska and Hawaii.

Learning: List the three elements of the Roosevelt Collorary.

Timeline of Events

Cuba desires independence from SpainSinking of USS Maine in Havana Harbor,

Cuba – February 15, 1898. Both sides disagree who was at fault.

U.S. requests Cuban independence instead of war with Spain

War Declared on April 25, 1898. U.S. blockaded Cuba to prevent Spanish

reinforcements

Timeline of Events

U.S. attacked Manila Harbor in Philippines.U.S. offered a peace treaty to Spain granting

independence to Cuba, giving the U.S. a port in Philippines, and annexing Puerto Rico – REFUSED

Battles fought in Cuba until July – Peace settlement reached in August relating to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Spanish American struggle over the Philippines continued until December when the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the war.

Results of the Spanish American War

The United States emerged as a world power

As a result of the Treaty of Paris of 1898Cuba gained independence from Spain but became dependent on the U.S.

The United States gained possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico

The Monroe Doctrine (1823)

The Western Hemisphere was no longer open for colonization

The political system of the Americas was different from Europe

The United States would regard any interference in Western hemispheric affairs as a threat to its security

The United States would refrain from participation in European wars and would not disturb existing colonies in the Western Hemisphere

Teddy Roosevelt Policies

Teddy Roosevelt’s most famous quote: “Speak softly and carry a big stick”

Roosevelt CorollaryDrafted a policy known as the Roosevelt

Corollary which expanded on the policies of the Monroe Doctrine with regard to European involvement in Central and South America

Had 3 main components1. Asserted the United States’ right to

interfere in the economic ($) matters of other nations in the Americas

#2Claimed the United States’ right to exercise international police power

#3 Advocated “Big Stick” diplomacy

Objectives

Content: Apply Big Stick Diplomacy to the Panama Canal.

Language: Explain the importance of building the Panama Canal.

Big Stick DiplomacyThe Panama Canal

The U.S. helped finance a group of revolutionaries in northern Colombia so that a new country (Panama) could sell the U.S. the rights to build a canal in Central America.

Big Stick DiplomacyIn 1903, The U.S. signed a treaty with

Panama for the rights to build a canal that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific OceansTreaty included:

10 mile strip of land across Panama U.S. would pay Panama 10 million dollars for a 99 year lease

U.S. would also pay an annual rent of $250,000

Panama Canal

Panama Canal was completed August 15th,

1914Cut 7,000 miles off the Sea voyage from

New York City to San FranciscoUnited States could now quickly navigate

between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.