The Rise of American Imperialism Hawaii, Cuba, the Philippines, and Latin America

European Imperialism By the mid-1890s, a shift had taken place in American attitudes toward expansion. Why? Between 1870 and 1900, the European powers seized 10 million square miles of territory in Africa and Asia. About 150 million people were subjected to colonial rule.

Fear of Competition In the United States, a growing number of policy makers, bankers, manufacturers, and trade unions grew fearful that the country might be closed out in the struggle for global markets and raw materials.

Dependency on Foreign Trade By the 1890s, the American economy was increasingly dependent on foreign trade. A quarter of the nation's farm products and half its petroleum were sold overseas.

A Desire for Sea Power Alfred Mahan, a naval strategist and the author of The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, argued that national prosperity and power depended on control of the world's sea-lanes. "Whoever rules the waves rules the world," Mahan wrote.

A New Assertiveness During the late 1880s, American foreign policy makers began to display a new assertiveness. The United States came close to declaring war on Germany, Chile, and Great Britain.

Anti-Imperialism Not everyone agreed U.S. should expand Some felt it was morally wrong Some felt it cost too much money

The White Man’s Burden During the late 19th century, the idea that the United States had a special mission to uplift "backward" people around the world also commanded growing support.

Acquisition of Alaska In 1867, Sec. of State William Steward arranged to buy Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million. Rich in natural resources (timber, minerals, and oil), Alaska was a bargain at two cents per acre.

Hawaii

America Expands-Hawaii Annex-to acquire/take over 1898-United States/ President McKinley annexed Hawaii Overthrow of Queen Lil, and Native Hawaiians Wanted access to China and East Last Queen of Hawaii, Lil Sanford B. Dole

Philippines

The Philippine American War As a result of the Philippine American War, a sequel to the Spanish American War, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20 million.

American Atrocities To suppress Filipino insurgency, the American military forcibly relocated or burned villages, imprisoned or killed non-combatant civilians, and used vicious torture techniques (including the water cure) on suspected insurgents.

Panama Canal

America As World Power Panama Canal Built to connect Atlantic and Pacific Ocean Cutting travel time of U.S. ships by half Panama was province of Colombia, but TR helped Panama get its Independence to get Canal built Teddy Roosevelt got credit

GUAM

CUBA

CUBA There was a tense build-up to direct military intervention in Cuba's independence war against Spain. In 1895, the Committee of Cuban Exiles in the US was established, which supplied the US newspaper barons with stories of the liberation war, with a view to winning support for their cause. The revolutionary origins of the US were still alive in popular memory and many ordinary US citizens were sympathetic to Cuba. However the Cuban revolutionary leader José Martí said that, though fighting Spain, he also sought 'to prevent the United States, with the independence of Cuba, extending itself through the West Indies and falling with added weight upon our lands of America'.

Cuba emerged as the model for US imperialism Cuba emerged as the model for US imperialism. American economic and political domination had been secured without the seizure of a colony. The US could continue to boast its anti-colonial tradition and beliefs despite having made Cuba a dependency. It was at this time that the term 'sphere of influence‘ became another term used to describe colonialism

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico On July 25, 1898, during the Spanish–American War, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States. As an outcome of the war, Jones-Shafroth Act granted all the inhabitants of Puerto Rico U.S. citizenship in 1917. The U.S. granted Puerto Ricans the right to democratically elect their own governor in 1948.

Effects of U.S. Imperialism on Puerto Rico Current legal status of Puerto Rico Issue of Puerto Rican democracy vs. U.S. imperialistic policy. U.S. Territory vs. statehood Negative view of U.S. because of its imperialistic policy U.S. is considered a bully U.S. harms the country U.S. Navy and Viesques Island

1898 to 1959, US servicemen constantly harassed the Cuban population and went on rampages through towns Since 1959, Cuban workers and soldiers have been regularly killed in and around Guantánamo, and by the continued actions by the reactionary Florida-based exiles.

CHINA

China Open Door Policy Spheres of Influence-European nations had divided up China for trading purposes 1899 John Hay (Sec. of State) called for 1. open access to all of China’s coastal ports to all countries 2. eliminate special privileges for any trading nations 3. maintenance of China’s independence

Boxer Rebellion An attempt by a group of Chinese known as the Boxers, in which they attempted to expel all Westerners and Western influences from China. Rebellion was put down by joint Western forces

3 American Beliefs reflected in Open Door Policy 1. Growth of American economy depended on exports 2. America had the right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open 3. A fear that closing of an area to American products, citizens, or ideas threatened U.S. survival