Expanding Role of America

Prior to World War One a desire for world markets and belief in the supremacy of Anglo-Saxon culture led the United States to assert itself as a world power.

Imperialism is the economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker ones.

Causes of American Imperialism• The belief in the

superiority of American Culture

• The belief that then nation needed a large navy for security with bases overseas

• The belief that the economy needed more overseas markets (especially Japan and China)

The Spanish American War

War with Spain in Cuba and the Philippines

U.S support of the Cuban Rebellion

The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor

Cuba gains independence

U.S gains overseas empire: Annexes Guam and Puerto Rico

U.S extends power through military force in the Philippines

CausesEffects

Presidents Roosevelt and Taft continued to support a policy of expanding United States influence in foreign countries. The following examples represent the imperialist policies of the United States during the turn of the century.

The Panama CanalRoosevelt and others believed a canal through central America would save time and money for military and commercial shipping. The canal shortened the distance between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans by 8,000 miles.

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

Stated that the United States would intervene in Latin American affairs when it felt it was necessary. This would maintain economic and political stability in the Western Hemisphere.

Dollar Diplomacy

The idea that American businesses should support Latin American development. This would increase trade and profit form American business and give Europeans fewer opportunities to interfere in Latin America.

Big Stick Diplomacy“Speak softly , and carry a big stick…” was president Roosevelt’s way of saying that we should try to peacefully negotiate, but when that fails, we shouldn’t be afraid to use our military might to frighten countries into treaties or other agreements as we saw fit.

PhilippinesThe Spanish had held the Philippines as a strategic colonial hold in the Pacific since the mid-16th century. The first fighting between the American and Spanish forces there was at Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. The Philippines had been revolting against Spanish colonial rule but had signed a treaty and were not fighting at the time American forces came to their “aide”. Was this really a war in which we were helping the Philippines fight for their Independence or was it an example of American Imperialism where the U.S. was interested in Pacific strongholds?

Which of the following was not an outcome of the Spanish American War?a)Cuba gained its independenceb)The U.S gained Guam and Puerto Ricoc)Philippines willfully accepted American occupationd)The United States acquired a overseas empire

During the late 1800s, the United States took an expanded role in world affairs partially because of the acquisition of territory -

a) In the Pacificb) On the African Continentc) In the Middle Eastd) Along the Baltic Sea

What foreign policy is represented by this cartoon?a)Dollar Diplomacyb)Monroe Doctrinec)Construction of the Panama Canald)Open Door Policy

Which of the following is not a reason for American Imperialism?

a) Expand trade to foreign marketsb) Increase population c) Belief in the supremacy of American cultured) Overseas bases for a powerful navy

Use the excerpt and social studies knowledge to answer the question below.

How long are the Spaniards to drench Cuba with the blood and tears of her people? How long is the peasantry of Spain to be drafted away to Cuba to die miserably in a hopeless war, that Spanish nobles and Spanish officers may get medals and honors?

- New York World, 1897

The author of this article most likely believed that the U.S involvement in the Spanish American War was necessary in order to-

a)Prevent further casualties in Cubab)Protect U.S economic interests in Spainc)Make Cuba a U.S colonyd)Seize control of Spanish territories

Analyze the cartoon above. President Roosevelt was known for using “big stick diplomacy.” What does that mean and what were some examples of this style of diplomacy.

Roosevelt Shrinks the World!

What is this headline referring to?a)The building of the Panama Canalb)The end of the Spanish American Warc)The annexation of Hawaii d)The Monroe Doctrine