1. Imperialism and America
Unit 7

2. Placing U.S. Actions on the Foreign Policy Spectrum
Foreign Policy: a plan of action carried out by a nation when dealing with other nations (usually to achieve a national objective)
Examples of U.S. Foreign Policy
Isolationism
Collective Security
Internationalism
Imperialism

3. Overview of International Politics
Foreign Policy

8. Many 20th century American foreign policy issues have their origins in America’s emergence as a world power at the end of the 19th century.

9. Imperialism
The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories
Expanded concept of Manifest Destiny to include colonial endeavors OVERSEAS

11. Why Hawaii?

12. Alaska Purchase (1867) “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox”
$7.2 million (2 cents per acre) to Russia for 586,412 sq. mi.
Eventual discovery of gold and oil reserves

13. Competition
By the 20th century all of Africa, except Ethiopia and Liberia, were controlled by Europeans
European countries and Japan were competing for China

14. Why did the U.S. abandon its traditional isolationism for imperialism?

15. ONE … Military strength
In reaction to other nations building a global military presence (PROTECTION)
Construction of modern battleships such as the Maine and the Oregon gave the U.S. the THIRD largest naval power.

16. The Great White Fleet

17. Spanish-American War Spain still held some colonies in the world
Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines

18. Spanish-American War
Americans began investing millions of dollars in sugar cane plantations in Cuba
Jose Marti (a Cuban exile) launched a revolution against Spain in 1895
He promoted guerrilla warfare and deliberately destroying property

19. Why would the U.S. intervene in Cuba?

20. U.S.S. Maine
1898
McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens and protect American property
Feb 15, 1898 – Ship blew up in harbor of Havana killing 260 men

21. Public Opinion Favored War… WHY?
Yellow Journalism - sensational style of writing that exaggerates the news to lure and enrage readers
No one really knew why the Maine exploded
Journal offered $50,000 for capture of Spaniard who did it
Encouraged by newspapers owners -William Randolf Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer
Hearst – “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”

22. Spanish-American War
April 11 McKinley asked Congress for authority to use force against Spain
April 20 US declared war on Spain

23. War in the Philippines
First battle of the war took place in the Philippine Islands
Over next 2 months, 11,000 US troops and Filipino rebels fought the Spanish
Spanish surrendered in August
The Philippines became a US territory

24. War in Cuba 125,000 Americans volunteered to fight
Lacked supplies and adequate leaders
Not enough modern guns to go around
Heavy wool uniforms in Cuba
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders led the charge at San Juan Hill
Newspapers named Roosevelt the “hero of San Juan Hill”
Fighting lasted only 15 weeks
Armistice, or cease-fire, signed on August 12

25. Territories gained… The Spanish American War was an American Victory!
The U.S. gained the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba

26. Why did the U.S. abandon its traditional isolationism for imperialism?

27. TWO …Thirst for New Markets
Advances in technology = more goods and products than American citizens could consume
Needed raw materials for factories and new markets for agricultural and manufactured goods
Solution = FOREIGN TRADE

28. The creation of international markets from the late 1800s to World War I: the first era of a true “global economy”

29. Open Door Policy
Secretary of State John Hay proposed a policy that would give all nations equal trading rights in China
1899
Prevent any type of monopoly or trade with any part of China

30. Open Door Policy
Reflected deeply held American beliefs about the U.S. industrial capitalist economy
Growth of the US depended on exports
US had the right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open
Feared closing an area to American products, citizens, or ideas threatened US survival

32. Dollar Diplomacy President Taft
Urged American banks and businesses to invest in Latin America
Promised the US would step in if unrest threatened their investment

35. Why did the U.S. abandon its traditional isolationism for imperialism?

36. THREE… Belief in Cultural Superiority
Social Darwinism was used to justify Imperialism
Belief that free-market competition would lead to the “survival of the fittest” (racial superiority of Anglo-Saxons)
It was their moral responsibility to spread Christianity and “civilization” to the world’s “inferior people”

37. How did the U.S. expand its influence in the world?

38. The Monroe Doctrine and Latin America

39. Panama Canal
During Roosevelt administration, Americans felt the US needed a canal cutting across Central America
Greatly reduce travel time for commercial and military ships
Shortcut from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans
1901 US got exclusive rights to build and control a canal through Central America

40. Panama Canal US began construction in 1904 and finished in 1914
US began paying Panama in 1913
Panama took control of the canal in 1999

42. Roosevelt Corollary 1904 Expanded the Monroe Doctrine
US would use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”