Unit 3: Imperialism and Progressivism

3-2: The Spanish-American War, and American Foreign Policy 1898-1917

Build-up of the American Military

• In the 1890’s many Americans believed in the need for a strong navy to protect foreign interests, such as Hawaii

• Militarism, the building up of a nation’s military was yet another motivation for the U.S. to be Imperialistic (ADD to notes)

• A built up military needs naval bases, so you must have more territory

• American politicians and newspaper publishers began to turn their attention to the last Spanish possessions in the Caribbean.

Yellow Journalism and Jingoism

– Pg. 88, bell ringer packet• In the 1890’s American newspapers printed

exaggerated stories of atrocities committed by Spanish troops in places such as Cuba

• These exaggerated stories in newspapers were known as “yellow journalism,” and they were used to turn public opinion to favor war

• These newspapers also generated jingoism—a feeling of favoring aggressive action against other countries

Remember the Maine!!

– Pg. 88 bell ringer packet• By 1898 the Spanish foreign minister had insulted

Pres. McKinley, and the letter was published– The public is outraged

• Then, in February of 1898 the U.S.S. Maine was sent to Cuba to remove Americans living there, and one night suddenly exploded in Havana harbor

• An investigation was launched, and it was determined the ship was blown up by a Spanish mine– This conclusion has since been disproven

Spanish-American War• Chronology/Key Points:

• Pg 88, bell ringer packet

– McKinley forms investigative committee to examine Maine explosion, determines Spanish responsible

– Assistant Sec. of Navy, Teddy Roosevelt sends U.S. fleet to Philippines, they seize Manila (capital city) and the islands

– Roosevelt resigns from post w/the navy, forms a volunteer cavalry regiment nicknamed the “Rough Riders” (had men from all walks of life—aristocrats, Native Americans, cowboys, criminals)

– U.S. troops invade Cuba, Rough Riders make famous charge up San Juan Hill; Spain quickly surrenders

– Treaty of Paris (1898) ends the war, Spain sells Philippines to U.S. for 20 mil., cedes Guam and Puerto Rico to U.S.; Cuba is supposedly given independence

The War’s Aftermath (Cuba)

– Pg 93, bell ringer packet• Cuba was supposed to be given independence

by the U.S., but the U.S. put many restrictions of Cuba’s government in the Platt Amendment:1. Cuba had to provide naval bases to the U.S.2. Cuba could not go into debt with foreign nations3. U.S. had right to intervene if Cuba’s government

collapsed4. Cuba cannot make treaties with other nations

The War’s Aftermath (Philippines)

– Pg. 90, bell ringer packet• American troops helped the Filipinos defeat

the Spanish, expecting to gain their independence

• They were enraged when the United States bought the Philippines, and didn’t grant Filipinos independence

• Filipinos engaged in a guerilla war against the Americans that lasted 3 years

Foreign policy: President Roosevelt

– Pg. 93, bell ringer packet• President Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt

Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which said that the U.S. had the right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American nations

• He referred to this foreign policy as “big stick” diplomacy, because the U.S. used their military might to influence Latin American governments

The Panama Canal

– Pg 93. bell ringer packet• One place Roosevelt employed big stick

diplomacy was in Columbia– Roosevelt caused a revolution in Panama so the

U.S. could build the Panama Canal

EFFECT?: U.S. commercial and military fleets can get from Atlantic to the Pacific much quicker

Foreign Policy: President Taft

– Pg. 93 bell ringer packet• Taft succeeded Roosevelt, and favored dollar

diplomacy with Latin American nations• U.S. companies had investments in many

different industries (mining, agriculture) in Latin American nations

• Dollar diplomacy was the U.S. using their investments to manipulate Latin American governments into doing what the U.S. desired

Imperialists and Anti-Imperialists

– ADD to NOTES• Many politicians and business leaders supported

Imperialism for…??• There were many Anti-Imperialists as well– Andrew Carnegie: didn’t believe that people of

different races could be part of a republic– Mark Twain: thought Imperialism was immoral,

against the ideals of America (freedom and liberty)– Samuel Gompers: thought imperialism would cost

American workers jobs

Comprehension Question

• Who were three prominent Americans that were anti-Imperialists, and explain their reasons for being anti-imperialist