Imperialism

IMPERIALISM – Obtaining an Empire by dominating weaker nations

• America wanted “in” on world affairs. Looks to gain “Spheres of Influence”:

• Latin America• The Pacific• China

• Alfred Thayer Mahan – Studied the significance of sea power on the history of the world and urged the U.S. to build a strong Navy (1890). By 1900 the U.S. had one of the top Navies in the world

• World power through naval power

• Steam powered steel warships– USS Maine– Led by Com. Matthew

Perry– World tour

Latin America

• U.S. newspapers urged the U.S. to intervene in the Cuban Revolt = “YELLOW JOURNALISM” “You supply the pictures, I’ll supply the war”– William Randolph Hearst– Led public movement to

war w/ Spain.

• Steps to war…– De Lome Letter –

“Intercepted” letter in which the Spanish Ambassador to Washington insulted President McKinley

– The sinking of the USS MAINE… “Remember the Maine!”

• The U.S. sent a list of demands to Spain, including a demand that Spain pay for the USS Maine. Spain agreed to most of the demands. When she failed to agree to all, the U.S. declared war on Spain beginning the Spanish-American War.

• Feb. 15, 1898• USS Maine sank in

Havana, Cuba• 250 sailors died• 1895, Jose Marti (Cuban

Nationalist)– Launched a war in revolt

against Spain.

• In Cuba… – The U.S. bottled the

Spanish fleet in the harbor. When Spain tried to escape, the U.S. sank all of her ships.

• Theodore Roosevelt led the “ROUGH RIDERS” on a successful charge up San Juan Hill.

• Platt Amendment:– Cuban government

could not engage in foreign agreements without U.S. consent

– The U.S. could establish 2 Naval bases in Cuba

The Pacific

• As a result of the war with Spain, George Dewey launched an attack on Spanish ships in the Philippines. He destroyed the entire Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.– The U.S. annexed Hawaii

in 1898.

Treaty of Paris 1898

• US gets Puerto Rico, Guam, Pacific Islands, and sold Philippines for $20 million.

• Teller Amendment did not allow for the taking of Cuba.

China

• John Hay established the “OPEN DOOR POLICY” with China, keeping China open to ALL for trade. More importantly, it signified the growing influence of the U.S. on world affairs.

Other Imperialistic Endeavors

• PANAMA CANAL – U.S. sought a shorter route from Atlantic to Pacific for Naval and trade purposes. Picked up canal project where France left off. When Colombia denied the U.S. land rights, the U.S. helped overthrow the Colombian government and resumed work on the canal.

• ROOSEVELT COROLLORY – Said that the U.S. would intervene militarily to preserve the interests of Latin America.

• • **The U.S. had

achieved its goal of creating an Empire**