1. Topic: Imperialism Aim: How justified was the US in adopting a policy of imperialism?

2. Homework Quiz 1. Which Secretary of State created the Big Sister Policy? 2. What American warship exploded in Havana Harbor on Feb. 15, 1898? 3. Which US amendment promised independence to the people of Cuba? 4. Who commanded the UD Navy in the Philippines? 5. In what city was the peace treaty ending the Spanish-American War signed?

3. Background Although always following a policy of expansion within the continental limits of North America, Americans had followed Washington’s advice to “avoid entangling alliances”.

4. Signs of a Shift from Isolation To Imperialism (1890-1895) A. Samoa (1878) – The US signed a treaty giving them the right to build a coaling station at Pago Pago. – Rivalry with Great Britain and Germany for control of Somoa led to a treaty in 1890 establishing a three-way protectorate of the island.

5. Con’t B. Hawaii (1893) – A group of American businesses led a revolution against Queen Liliuokalani. – Although the new government asked to be annexed by the U.S. the treaty was withdrawn from the Senate by President Cleveland, who condemned the actions of the revolutionaries.

6. Con’t Venezuela Boundary Dispute (1895) – President Cleveland forced Britain to submit the dispute with Venezuela to arbitration. – Olney Interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine Sec. of State Richard Olney justified U.S. interference by stating that the U.S. was “sovereign” in the Western Hemisphere and its word was law wherever it decided to apply it.

7. Reasons for the Change in Policy A. Industrial Revolution B. Close of the Frontier C. Example of Other Nations D. Nationalism E. Social Darwinism

8. Causes of the Spanish-American War (1898) Aim: Why did the United States go to war against Spain?

9. Cuban Revolution (1895-1898) Cuba was fighting for independence from Spain. During the fighting, many U.S. investments in Cuba were destroyed. – U.S. businessmen asked President McKinley to mediate (make peace) between Spain and Cuba.

10. U.S. Newspapers American newspapers (ex: New York World or New York Journal) printed stories of Spanish cruelty against the Cubans. – Americans were shocked by stories of concentration camps, starvation, and murder – Yellow Journalism: Many of these stories were exaggerated of false. – The American public demanded action by their government to help the Cubans

11. The De Lome Letter Written by the Spanish ambassador to the U.S. In his letter, DeLome described McKinley in an insulting way. The letter was stolen, and printed in the newspaper.

12. Sinking of the USS Maine An American ship sent to Cuba. Over 200 American sailors were killed. The newspapers blamed Spain for the explosion, and Americans demanded war.

13. Congress Declares War Against Spain (April 19, 1898) Teller Resolution – Congress promised not to annex Cuba if they won the war.

14. Results of the Spanish American War Treaty of Peace (1898) – Cuba became independent from Spain. – Spain sold the Philippine Islands to the U.S. for $20 million; the islands of Puerto Rico and Guam were given to the U.S. – Hawaii was annexed by the U.S. (1898) – Wake Islands was annexed by the U.S. (1899) – Imperialism replaced neutrality as the U.S. foreign policy. – Increased U.S. involvement in Asia and Latin America.