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IMPERIALISMand the United States
Imperialism
• Definition: policy in which stronger nations extend economic, political, or military control over weaker territories
COLONIZATION
• European expansion was focused on Africa during the 1800s then moved to Asia, especially China
American Imperialism
After the idea of Manifest Destiny, American imperialism made sense (plus we had run out of room on the continent)
There were numerous benefits seen to imperialism:• Gained military strength
• To be successful, we needed a strong Navy• With the creation of the “Great White Fleet” became the 3rd
largest naval power in the world• Created new economic markets
• Foreign trade would give new markets for overproduced farm goods and raw materials for factories
• Idea of cultural superiority (ethnocentrism)
First Major Acquisitions
• ALASKA!• 1867 William Seward arranged to buy Alaska from
Russia for $7.2 million (2¢ an acre)• Many people thought he was nuts – became known
as “Seward’s Folly”
• HAWAII• HI was an independent country, however ¾ of the
land was controlled by American sugar planters and Americans want it annexed
• 1887 – US Naval base built at Pearl Harbor• 1898 – declared an American territory (becomes a
state in 1959)
THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
Changing World Dynamics
Spain as an Empire• While Spain had had an impressive world wide
empire, during the late 1800s their territories had shrunk to the Philippines, Guam, African territories, Cuba, and Puerto Rico
Cuban Timeline
• 1854 – Pres. Franklin Pierce offers to buy Cuba. Spain says they would rather see it sunk into the Ocean
• 1868-1878 – Series of unsuccessful Cuban rebellions against Spain
• 1895 – Second war of independence against Spain • Used guerilla tactics and destroyed property,
especially American property• Spanish reaction was to herd 300,000 civilians into
concentration camps
America’s Role
• 1897 – William McKinley elected President• Tries to deal with Spain/Cuba through diplomatic
channels• Main Spanish general (Weyler) recalled to Spain• Concentration camps modified• Limited self-government granted to Cuba
American Reaction
• Cuba only 90 miles away from Key West – many Americans saw the island as an obvious extension of Manifest Destiny
• Many of the events in Cuba became sensationalized as part of a newspaper war between William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer• Known as YELLOW JOURNALISM
• However public opinion on Cuba was split … until two major events:• DeLome Letter• USS Maine
DeLome Letter
• Written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States
• Criticized American President William McKinley by calling him weak and concerned only with gaining the favor of the crowd.
• Publication of the letter helped generate public support for a war with Spain
“Besides the ingrained and inevitable bluntness with which is repeated all that the press and
public opinion in Spain have said about Weyler, it once more shows what McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave a
door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.”
“Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain”
• USS Maine Sent to Havana to retrieve US citizens
• Feb 15, 1898 – The Maine blows up in Havana harbor killing over 260 U.S. sailors
• U.S. papers claim the Spanish blew it up (yellow journalism)
• April 11, 1898 – McKinley goes to Congress• April 20 – DECLARATION OF WAR!
War in the Philippines
• First battle with Spain occurs in the Philippines• Commodore George Dewey destroys Spanish fleet in
Manila harbor• Filipinos support Dewey• August 1898: Spanish troops in Manila surrender to
U.S.
CUBA LIBRE!
• U.S. Naval blockade of Cuba begins• While our Navy was strong, the Army was
relatively weak. • 125,000 volunteer to fight• Lack real training, supplies, leadership
• Rough Riders – cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt• Most famous moment is the Battle at San Juan Hill
• Spain tries to flee through blockade, but their Navy is destroyed
• US soon invades Puerto Rico
Treaty of Paris (1898)• August 1898 – Spain and
US sign armistice
• Terms of the Treaty:• Spain frees Cuba• Gives Guam and Puerto Rico
to U.S.• Sells Philippines to the U.S.
• Debate over Treaty:• Huge debates over morality
of imperialism• McKinley tries to justify
annexation of Philippines on moral grounds
Cuba and the United States
• U.S. recognizes Cuban independence from Spain• Teller Amendment says U.S. has no intention of taking
over Cuba• U.S. occupies Cuba; keeps same officials in office
• Cuban protestors imprisoned or exiled
HOWEVER:• U.S. makes Cuba add Platt Amendment to its constitution:
• No treaties that let foreign power control Cuba• U.S. has right to intervene in Cuban affairs• U.S. can buy/lease land for navy
• Cuba is now a US protectorate: a country whose affairs partly controlled by stronger one
U.S. IN LATIN AMERICA
Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”
RECAP: The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
• Any European efforts to colonize land or interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere would be seen as an act of aggression and would result in U.S. intervention• Added that the U.S. would not
interfere with existing European colonies
• Very minor impact on world relations … until Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt’s Influence
1) Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)• Rival imperialist ambitions over
Manchuria and Korea• Japan attacked Russia’s naval fleet
as part of first strike• Russia’s navy and army are defeated
• Russia was also going through a Revolution and the overthrow of the Tsar
• TR helps negotiate Treaty of Portsmouth
• Japan gets Manchuria and Korea• TR gets Nobel Peace Prize
Teddy Roosevelt’s Influence
2) Panama Canal• Goal: Cut down on travel time of ships
• existing route was around the southern tip of South America – long and dangerous journey
• Panama under the control of Columbia; when negotiations break down, US gives military aid to Panamanian rebels
• Once Panama is an independent nation, US signs treaty paying $10 million for Canal Zone
• Considered one of the world’s greatest engineering feats• Major obstacles: geography and disease• At height, 43,400 workers employed
• December 31, 1999 – Panama gained control of the Canal
The Roosevelt Corollary
• TR worried about Europe becoming involved in Latin America if countries stop paying back their loans
• Demands Europe stay out as part of the Monroe Doctrine
What parts of the Monroe Doctrine does TR conveniently ignore?
• TR issues the Roosevelt Corollary – U.S. will intervene in any issues between Europe and Latin America, using military force if needed
THE U.S. IN CHINA
U.S. Interest in China
• U.S. sees China as vast potential market, investment opportunity
• France, Britain, Japan, Russia already have settlements (spheres of influence)
• U.S. Secretary of State John Hay issues Open Door notes
• Notes ask imperialist nations to share trading rights with U.S.
• Other powers reluctantly agree
Boxer Rebellion in China
• Europeans dominated most large Chinese cities
• Chinese form secret societies (Boxers)to expel foreigners
• Boxers kill hundreds of foreigners and Chinese converts to Christianity
• U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Japan put down Boxer Rebellion
The Open Door Policy
• Open Door Policy says U. S. will keep trade open, even after Boxer Rebellion
• Open Door policy reflects U.S. beliefs about economy:• Growth depends on exports• U.S. has right to keep
markets open• Closing of area threatens
U.S. survival
