Chapter 18

 The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. Europe – Africa and Asia  Leader in colonies America  Economic competition among industrial nations  Political and military competition (creating of a strong naval force)  Belief in the racial and cultural superiority of people of Anglo-Saxon (English) descent

 Reasons for: American farms and factories produced more than citizens could consume.  Export more than they imported (favorable balance of trade)  $1.5 billion dollars in exports Excuse to build up the navy  Maine and Oregon Believed that people that were not Anglo-Saxon were “inferior” and needed to be helped.

 Example: Hawaii  By mid 1900s American-owned sugar plantations accounted for ¾ of the islands’ wealth.  By 1900 foreigners and immigrant laborers outnumbered native Hawaiians 3 to 1.  Before the McKinley Tariff of 1890 plantation owners could export sugar to the United States without having to pay a tax.  When they had to pay a tax they overthrew the monarchy by imprisoning the queen and only allowing rich property owners to vote.  Sanford B. Dole = new president  Pearl Harbor = United States naval base  August 12, 1898 Congress proclaimed Hawaii an American Territory without even letting Hawaiians vote on the decision.

 America’s interest in Cuba Sugar!  Wealthy businessmen invested large sums of money into plantations. Spanish-Cuban War  Cuba was fighting for its independence and Americans sided with them wanting to get involved  Yellow journalism - reporting that exaggerates the news to lure new readers  Spain had concentration camps that killed thousands and imprisoned over 300,000

 America enters the war USS Maine exploded and the yellow journalism said that Spain had did it.  1976 proved it was an internal explosion in the ships coal bunkers. “Remember the Maine”  April 20, 1898 America went to war with Spain

 America vs. Spain Troops didn’t have enough guns, heavy wool uniforms, little training Rough Riders  Volunteer cavalry under the command of Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt  Won a strategic battle leading to the end of the war.  Roosevelt considered a hero of the war.  Treaty of Paris Cuba would become independent Spain would give Puerto Rico and the Pacific island of Guam to the United States The United States would pay Spain $20 million for the annexation of the Philippine Islands.

 Puerto Rico Important for maintaining a U.S. presence in the Caribbean and for protecting a future canal that some American leaders wanted to build across the Isthmus of Panama.  Cuba Platt Amendment  Cuba couldn’t make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any part of its territory  The United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba to preserve independence and maintain order.  Cuba was not to go into debt.  The United States could buy or lease land on the island fo naval and coaling stations.

 Cuba cont. Became a U.S. protectorate – a country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power. American corporations had invested heavily in the island’s sugar, tobacco, and mining industries, as wall as in its railroads and public utilities.

 Philippines Rebelled and fought U.S. (lost)  United States had Filipinos live in designated zones where poor sanitation, starvation, and disease killed thousands.  Many African-American soldiers deserted and joined forces with the Filipinos.  Philippines had a similar contract with the U.S. like Cuba. (result)

 China Open Door Policy  Sent to Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Russia  U.S. called for open access to China’s costal ports, the elimination of special privileges for any of the trading nations, and the maintenance of China’s indpendence.

 Panama Canal A canal through Central America that would reduce travel time for commercial and military ships by providing a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Negotiations with Panama took a turn for the worse and Americans helped Panama win its independence  Result: Panama was a protectorate of U.S.

 Panama Canal cont. 10 years Thousands of workers  5,600 workers (4,500 African Americans)  Many died from accidents or disease. $400 million dollars August 15, 1914 the canal opened for business 1921 Congress paid Panama $25 million, but Latin America was upset with the imperialistic Americans.