AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY, 1865-1914

HIST 202

Two Views: We are Anglo-Saxons, and must obey

our blood and occupy new markets, and, if necessary, new lands. - Sen. Albert Beveridge (1898)

Our form of government, our traditions, our present interests, and our future welfare, all forbid our entering upon a career of conquest. - William Jennings Bryan (1898)

Prior to Civil War Isolationism Looking westward

in U.S. George

Washington’s final speech

Civil War changes the way we see ourselves in the world

Early Foreign Relations William H. Seward

Secretary of State Under Lincoln and

Johnson Helped prevent

British and French from entering war

Convinced annexation of Hawaii and purchase of Alaska

The Purchase of Alaska

Alaska (“Seward’s Folly”) Russia and Great Britain

claimed it Russia – used it for

hunting Economic burden Found a buyer in Seward 1867 – purchased

Alaska for $7.2 million

The “New Imperialism” 19th Century

industrialization led to Worldwide markets Growing surpluses Open sources for raw

materials

U.S. NEEDED TO STRETCH OUT AND EXPAND!!!!

International Darwinism Only the strong

survive! Expansionists

believed: U.S. had to be

strong Militarily Religiously Economically Politically

Imperialism Imperialism

To gain territory Gain political and

economic life of other countries

Britain, France, Russia, and Japan had possessions throughout the world!

Advocates for American Expansion Missionaries

Josiah Strong – Our Country

Politicians Henry Cabot Lodge

(MA) Theodore Roosevelt

(NY)

Advocates for American Expansion

Military Alfred Mahan – The

Influence of Sea Power Upon History

Popular Press Increased circulation Told Americans

about exotic places abroad

Latin America America was the

protector of Latin America

Pan-American Conference (1889) James Blaine Pan-American Union

(1948)

Cleveland & the Monroe Doctrine President

Cleveland/Richard Olney (1895-96) Venezuela/British

Guiana Used Monroe

Doctrine against Britain

Britain sided with U.S.

The Spanish American War Causes:

Jingoism – aggressive foreign policy

Cuban revolt – Cuba v. Spain

Yellow journalism – sensational stories Joseph Pulitzer William Randolph

Hearst

The Spanish American War

Causes (cont.) De Lome Letter

Dupuy De Lome – critical of Pres. McKinley

USS Maine 260 Americans killed

McKinley’s Ultimatum April 1898

Protect Cuban interests

Protect American interests (sugar)

Protect commerce and trade

End “constant menace to our peace”

Teller Amendment April 20, 1898

U.S. declared war on Spain

Teller Amendment U.S. did not want to

take anything away from Cuba

Cuba would be in control of its govt.

Fighting the War Philippines

Under Spanish control since 1500s

Roosevelt ordered George Dewey to invade Philippines

War was won quickly by capturing Manila Bay

Fighting the War Cuba

Ill-prepared Army San Juan Hill

Theodore Roosevelt “Rough Riders” Buffalo Soldiers

U.S. Navy crushed Spanish at Santiago Bay

War ended August 1898

Annexation of Hawaii Hawaii

Settled by missionaries and businessmen

1893 – U.S. overthrew Queen Liliuokalani

1900 – U.S. territory U.S. state in 1959

Election of 1900 W

William McKinley - R William Jennings Bryan - D

Open Door Policy in China John Hay

Sec. of State under Pres. McKinley

“Open Door” trade with China

Boxer Rebellion (1900) – Society of Harmonious Fists

Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” Policy “Speak softly and

carry a big stick”

Panama Canal

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine More extension in

Latin American affairs

William Taft & Dollar Diplomacy William Taft (1909-

1913) Focus was in China

and Latin America Believed that

investors and cash could help with relations

Financial investments = greater stability

The Lodge Corollary Henry Cabot Lodge

R – Massachusetts Attention was on

Latin America and Asia

Believed that no non-western countries should own territories in West

Infuriated Asia

Woodrow Wilson & Moral Diplomacy Woodrow Wilson

First term – 1913-17 Wanted to “right” all

of the “wrongs” Set up over 30

conciliation treaties throughout the world Puerto Rico Panama Canal