1. Essential Questions
Why did the United States become involved in world affairs?
How did the government’s role in economic and political affairs change as America became more imperialistic?
What areas did the US try to influence through military, economic, and political means?

2. Isolationism
-stay out of foreign affairs
Has been previous policy until late 1800s
-Washington’s advice: farewell address says remain neutral
-Monroe Doctrine—Europe stay out of this hemisphere
-had been policy of government

3. Imperialism
-Policy of taking colonies for economic interests
Why??
1. other world powers were building empires
-jingoism: extreme patriotism thru foreign policy
2. U.S. also needed new markets for our products
-spheres of influence: some type of political, economic or cultural control indirectly

4. Imperialism

5. Imperialism

6. Building an Empire
-Alaska, 1867 referred to as: Seward’s Folly
Purchased from Russia for 2 cents an acre, ended up being very valuable land
-Hawaii, 1898
overthrew the Queen of Hawaii in 1893, annexed in 1898
-Alfred Mahan
“Influence of Sea Power upon History”
discussed need for strong Navy

7. Yellow Journalism Activity:
Complete the handout as we go through this in-class activity.
We will return to notes after the activity is completed!

8. Cuba Revolts against Spanish Rule:
Cuba was a Spanish colony for nearly 350 years. In 1895 the people of Cuba revolted against Spanish rule. As part of their attempt to stop the rebellion, the Spanish put some Cubans into concentration camps. The camps were badly run with terrible living conditions, disease, and bad food. As the death toll from the rebellion began to rise, Americans debated whether or not they should get involved.
America's Response:
Officially, the United States adopted a policy of neutrality. Many American businesses had money invested in Cuban sugar and mining industries and supported U.S. involvement. Further, support for the Monroe Doctrine and a growing sense of America's world importance fueled public calls for U.S. involvement. American newspapers, in particular the New York World and the New York Journal, sent journalists to Cuba to cover the situation. They hoped that the Cuban conflict would increase newspaper sales.

9. What is yellow journalism?

10. The First Media War—Pulitzer and Hearst

11. Spanish-American
-Spanish rule of Cuba  Spanish ruled harshly  Cubans want independence
-yellow journalism: biased opinion as fact, distorted, misleading images
-De Lome letter: accidentally published, attacked Pres. McKinley, angered Americans
-U.S. sends ship to observe and protect US interest in Cuba
-USS Maine explodes in Havana, newspapers blamed Cuba
-”Remember the Maine” battle cry for war

13. Spanish-American

14. -George Dewey captures the islands (Philippines)
-U.S. attacks Spanish colony when war starts
-George Dewey captures the islands (Philippines)
-Why did we capture the Philippines??? New markets for products
-Imperialistic Foreign Policy
-Josiah Strong : White Man’s Burden: book supported imperialism, its our duty to civilize the uncivilized and spread Christian ideas
-Anti-Imperialistic Feelings—against expansion
-Anti-Imperialist League
-Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams

15. Fighting in Cuba
-Cuba will be independent Teller Amendment
-Rough Riders volunteer cavalry led by
Theodore Roosevelt
cleared way for attack on San Juan Hill
-”Splendid Little War”
lasted only a few months, Cuba is free
-Treaty of Paris, 1898
Puerto Rico is part of U.S.
U.S. buys Philippines and Guam

17. Headline Activity
You will create 6 yellow journalism headlines on the topics/events we discussed today
Under each headline give the year if applicable and two details about the topic or event
Be creative!
Topics/Events can include:
Spanish-American War
Acquisition of Hawaii
Alfred Mahan’s book
Purchase of Alaska
USS Maine exploding
Treaty of Paris
Rough Riders
US attacks the Philippines
De Lome Letter
Examples:
US demands that Europe stays out!
Monroe Doctrine is issued in 1823
Part of isolationist policies warning Europe to remain out of this hemisphere
Thousands dead after devastating hurricane…
Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans and surrounding areas in 2005
It was the costliest hurricane in US history

18. Newspaper Activity: create the front page of a yellow journalism newspaper about the events and information we learned about today
Name for paper, Editor (you), date
Sensational Headline for main article, picture, and story—topic is Spanish-American War
2 supplemental stories—the Rough Riders and Reasons for Imperialism
Write articles as if you are during the time period we are studying!
Remember that Yellow Journalism was very popular during this time!