Chapter 18 : Becoming a World Power

The Pressure to Expand

• Growth of Imperialism• Imperialism – Stronger nations attempt to

create empires by dominating weaker nations; economically, politically, culturally, and militarily.

• Several factors accounted for the burst of imperialistic activity in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Reasons for Imperialism

• 1. Economic Factors – need for natural resources; need for new markets

• 2. Nationalist Factors – pride in one’s country; competition between countries

• 3. Military Factors – superiority of armed forces; need for bases and fuel

• 4. Humanitarian Factors – spreading of culture (religion, medicine, politics…)

Europe leads the way

• “The sun never sets on the British Empire!”

• This was a popular slogan that demonstrated the power and land control that the British had world wide!

• In other words, the British owned or controlled land on just about every continent.

The U.S. and Imperialism

• In 1796, President George Washington advised Americans to avoid active involvement in international affairs.– Make no permanent alliances!

• His advice was generally followed over the next century.

• By 1890, however, the U.S. was eager to join the competition for new overseas territories.

Causes of the Spanish American Warhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wFrAny77UY

• American desire to expand• Revolution in Cuba

– General Weyler• Concentration Camps

• The De Lome Letter – Accused McKinley of being

weak• The sinking of the USS Maine

– 250 killed• Yellow Journalism

– Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst

– Jingoism

Artists Rendering of the Sinking of the MaineSource: Chicago Historical Society

Sinking of the USS Maine• One of the topics used by the yellow journalists

was the loss of the Navy Baseball team on the Maine.

•All lost at Havana except J.H. Bloomer

Course of the War

• Philippines – May 1, 1898 – 1st war

action.

– Gen. George Dewey demolished the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.

• Cuba and Puerto Rico• Rough Riders

• Battle of San Juan Hill

• Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders -->– Big victory at San Juan Hill

Controversy: Buffalo Soldiers-- African Americans

• After the Battle of San Juan Hill, Rough Rider Frank Knox said, "I never saw braver men anywhere." Lieutenant John J. Pershing wrote, "They fought their way into the hearts of the American people." (17)

• Theodore Roosevelt commented "… no one can tell whether it was the Rough Riders or the men of the 9th who came forward with the greater courage to offer their lives in the service of their country." (18) Despite this praise, incredibly Colonel Roosevelt later wrote: "Negro troops were shirkers in their duties and would only go as far as they were led by white officers."

Ever heard this song?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpSBsUjY-0

Treaty of Paris 1898

• Ended the Spanish American War.– Sec. of State John Hay, “a splendid little war.”

• Spain recognizes Cuban independence.– Platt Amendment

• Stated that the U.S. was allowed to limit foreign intervention and to set up naval bases in Cuba (Guantanamo Bay)

• U.S. gets: Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam for $20 million.

Other effects of the war…

• No more European powers in the Western Hemisphere.– Monroe Doctrine

• U.S. becomes a world power.• Effects on Soldiers:

– 385 Killed in Action– Over 3,000 killed by diseases

• malaria, yellow fever, bad meat…

The U.S. and Imperialism

• The economy was expanding and many leaders felt the U.S. needed to find new markets.

• The U.S. began to build a modern navy– By 1900, the U.S. had one of the most

powerful navies in the world.

• A new period of American Foreign Policy had begun.

U.S. Foreign Policy 1890-1914

• Isolationism– Strict non-involvement in the affairs of other nations.

• Collective Security– Working with other countries to influence world affairs

• Internationalism– Intervening in other countries’ affairs to promote

important national interests and /or to safeguard national interests

• Imperialism– Extending power by acquiring territory around the globe

or exploiting weaker nations to serve national interests

Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882.

• In 1882, the U.S. slammed the door shut on Chinese immigration for ten years.

• It banned entry to all Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and gov’t officials.

• This ban was not repealed until 1943.

U.S. Overseas Expansion

Causes

1. Western frontier closes

2. Businesses seek raw materials in new markets

3. European nations compete for resources and markets

Effects1. U.S. develops a strong

navy2. Open Door Policy

protects trade w/China3. After Spanish American

War U.S. gains lands in the Caribbean and Pacific

4. Panama Canal Built5. U.S. sends troops in Latin

America to protect interests

China’s Open Door

• European spheres of influence.

• Chinese resistance.

• Opium Wars – China and GB.

• US fears exclusion, declares “open door”.

• Boxer Rebellion – quickly put down.

• Puppet Gov’t to the West.

American Expansion

• Seward’s Folly– Secretary of State

William Seward

– U.S. purchased Alaska for $7.2 million from Russia in 1867

– Also in 1867, the U.S. acquired the Midway Islands (midway b/w U.S. and Asia)

Annexation of Hawaii

• Queen Liliuokalani & Sanford Dole– She was the last Queen.

– Dole sabotaged his own pineapple plantation and blamed the Hawaiians, so the US would come.

• Marines for backup and Hawaiian surrender.• Hawaii declared a republic, Dole declared

himself first President and requested US annexation…McKinley said yes.

Roosevelt Becomes President• Under Roosevelt the U.S.

followed an aggressive foreign policy and continued to expand its power overseas.

• “Speak softly and carry a big stick!”– SS – use diplomacy– CABS – use deterence,

maybe military

• Panama Canal.• Negotiated peace with

Russia and Japanese.– Won a Nobel Prize

Roosevelt Corollary

• Issued to add onto the Monroe Doctrine.

• He denied the US wanted any territory!

• He said the Us only wanted “to see neighboring countries stable, orderly, and prosperous.

• But the US might be forced to exercise “an international police power.”

• “It must be understood that under no circumstances will the US use the Monroe Doctrine as a cloak for territorial aggression. We desire peace will all the world, but perhaps most of all with the other peoples of the American continent…It is always possible that wrong actions towards this nation…may result in our having to take action to protect our rights; but such action will not be taken with a view to territorial aggression.

Taft and Dollar Diplomacy

• Elected 1908.• Not as aggressive with

foreign policy as Teddy.• Wanted to:

– Maintain open door to Asia– Preserve stability in Latin

America.– Substitute dollars for

bullets.• Dollar Diplomacy

• Pumping $ into unstable gov’ts doesn’t always work…

Differences with Taft…

Imperialist vs. Anti-Imperialist

• Americans need a new frontier

• Economy would benefit from more markets

• Military would gain power by having bases around the world

• American ideals of liberty and democracy would be spread

• People in territories under American control will be denied their liberties

• Racists beliefs are used to justify controlling other nations

• Overseas involvement is expensive, leading to higher taxes and debts

• U.S. has enough problems at home, should not take on more responsibilities

Time to elect a NEW president

Wilson’s New Freedom

Wilson and the Democrats Prevail

Main Idea: In the 1912 presidential election, the Republican Party was divided between Taft and Roosevelt, leading the way for Woodrow Wilson to be elected. Once in office, Wilson developed a Progressive plan that placed strong government control on corporations.

Wilson Regulates the Economy

Main Idea: Wilson worked to give the government more control of the economy. Some of the laws passed during his term included lowering tariffs, reforming the banking system, strengthening antitrust regulation, and supporting labor unions and workers’ rights.

Progressivism Leaves a Lasting Legacy

Main Idea: Changes in the American economy and the government’s role in managing natural resources still have an impact on society today.

Continued...

Election of 1912 – Wilson wins!

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Wilson Taft Roosevelt Debs

Democrat

Republican

Progressive

Socialist

• Under Presidents Taft and Wilson, progressive reforms continued until 1916.

• The Progressive party, led by TR, at times was called the “Bull Moose” party. (TR at one time said he felt as strong as a bull moose!)

The Election of 1912TRANSPARENCY

Presidential Election of 1912 CHART

Reading Skill: Identify Main Ideas NOTE TAKING