Ch.10 – Becoming a World Power Section 1 - The Pressure to Expand Section 2 – The Spanish-American War

Growth of Imperialism Imperialism: stronger nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, or militarily

Why Imperialism Grew Economic factors: need for more natural resources – came from underdeveloped countries; need for new markets to sell goods Nationalistic factors: those who felt it was necessary to take strong actions to protect the interests of their country

Why Imperialism Grew Military factors: advances in military technology produced superior navies and armies – needed bases around the world for refueling and supplies Humanitarian factors: Colonial officials, doctors, and missionaries believed they had a duty to spread the blessings of Western civilization

Europe leads the way Improved transportation and communications made it easier for G.B., France, and Russia to extend their powers By 1890, U.S. is ready to join the competition Sought to annex (join a new territory to an existing country) foreign lands

History of U.S. Involvement 1796, George Washington said to stay away from permanent alliances 1820’s, Monroe Doctrine warned other nations not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere 1830’s-1850’s, Manifest Destiny justified the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California from Mexico

History of U.S. Involvement 1867, “Seward’s Folly”: bought Alaska from Russia 1867, annexation of the Midway Islands 1875, sign trade agreement w/Hawaii

Arguments FOR U.S. Expansion Promoting Economic Growth Overproduction of goods  secure new markets abroad Creation of “Banana Republics” businesses provided financial services to Costa Rican government received long-term leases for land & RR lines – (used to grow and ship bananas to the U.S.)

Arguments FOR U.S. Expansion Protecting American Security Need: build modern navy to protect overseas trade from foreign rivals U.S.S. Maine By 1900, U.S. had the most powerful navy Preserving American Spirit Quest for an empire might restore country’s pioneer spirit Social Darwinism

Setting the Stage for War Displays of U.S. Power 1891, Chilean mob attacks group of Americans killing 2, injuring 17 U.S. demands Chile to pay $75,000 to victim’s families 1893, rebellion threatened Brazil President Cleveland ordered naval units to Rio de Janeiro to protect U.S. shipping interests

Cuban Rebellion Cuba rebelled against Spanish control Spain sent 150,000 troops to put down rebellion Thousands put into “reconcentration” camps – 200,000 Cubans die from disease/starvation Cuban exiles in U.S. urge government to intervene

Cuban Rebellion U.S. was unwilling to intervene Frustrated Cuban guerillas destroyed American sugar plantations and mills in Cuba Result: Business owners increased pressure on the government to act

Yellow Journalism Competition for readers New York World; editor: Joseph Pulitzer New York Morning Journal; editor: William Randolph Hearst Used variety of techniques to attract readers Hired experienced journalists Printing sensational crime stories Illustrations Vivid headlines to draw in the reader Lowered the price - 1¢

Yellow Journalism Pulitzer & Hearst took advantage of horrifying stories coming from Cuba Jingoism: intense burst of national pride and the desire for an aggressive foreign policy

The Spanish-American War Start: 1898, riots erupted in Havana, Cuba President McKinley moved U.S.S. Maine to city’s harbor to protect American citizens and property

Events that pushed U.S. to war The de Lóme Letter (February 1898) U.S. newspaper stole letter from Spanish ambassador Letter called McKinley “weak and a bidder for the admirations of the crowd” Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine (Feb. 15, 1898) Killed 250+ American sailors Later proved to be accidental …but American public put blame on Spain

February 15, 1898 the Maine blew up

Spain blamed

Events that pushed U.S. to war Philippines rebel against Spanish rule (Feb. 1898) Feb. 25 th, McKinley orders Admiral Dewey to attack Spanish fleet in the Philippines if war broke out w/Spain

Events that pushed U.S. to war McKinley’s War Message Final attempt for peace Agreement asked for: compensation for the Maine, end to the reconcentration camps, a truce in Cuba, and Cuban independence Spain agreed to all except Cuban independence War began on May 1 st

“A Splendid Little War” Philippines: May 1 st, 1898: Admiral Dewey destroyed Spanish fleet in 7 hours Cuba: U.S. warships trap Spanish fleet in Santiago’s harbor; Spanish fleet tried to escape, U.S. sank every ship Cuba: “Rough Riders,” led by Teddy Roosevelt, charge San Juan hill

1. Battle of Manila Bay

3. Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders

Treaty of Paris Signed December 1898 Spanish Government recognized: Cuba’s independence Paid $20 Billion Gave up the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam & other “unincorporated” territories – not intended for statehood

After the War Philippines Tried to establish themselves as a republic U.S. ignores attempt; don’t gain independence until 1946 Cuba Teller Amendment: U.S. could not annex Cuba Platt Amendment: Cuban government couldn’t enter foreign agreements, must allow the U.S. to establish naval bases, and U.S. has right to intervene in Cuban affairs Puerto Rico Jones Act: granted Puerto Ricans American citizenship

Other Gains in the Pacific 1898: Hawaiian Annexation Used for trade and as a refueling station Samoa Became two-way protectorate Open Door Policy (China) U.S. would have equal access to China’s millions of consumers (for trading) Purely economic…expanding markets into Asia Boxer Rebellion