TOWARD EMPIRE America: Past and Present Chapter 21

America Looks Outward l U.S. expansion shifts after 1890 l Strategically placed islands taken, intended only as colonies

Catching the Spirit of Empire l Domestic concerns dominated the post- Civil War years l 1870s bring new interest in areas beyond U.S. boundaries l Internationalism began to replace nationalism

Reasons for Expansion l Expansion abroad sought to gain markets l Evolutionary ideas encourage expansion to give guidance to native peoples elsewhere l Missionary spirit expressed in Josiah Strong's popular Our Country (1885)

Foreign Policy Approaches: l Expansionist foreign policy l Acquisitions: Alaska, Midway Islands l Erode European influence in Latin America – diverts Latin American trade from Europe through a series of reciprocity treaties – U.S. supports Venezuela against Great Britain

The Lure of Hawaii and Samoa l U.S. grants Hawaiian sugar free entry l Queen Liliuokalani retaliates for McKinley Tariff, attempts to reduce U.S. influence l American settlers pull off coup l Hawaii made U.S. possession l U.S. granted port facilities in Samoa l U.S. shares control with Germany

Hawaiian Islands

The New Navy l Alfred Mahan argues that overseas markets are essential for industrial surpluses l Large merchant marine, strong navy needed l Secretary of Navy Benjamin Tracy supervises a program of naval construction l U.S. gains offensive capability at sea

War with Spain l The war increased overseas possessions l It also gained the U.S. recognition as a “world power” l Americans became convinced they had a special destiny

A War for Principle l February, rebellion in Cuba l "Yellow press" whips up U.S. sentiment to favor Cuban independence l McKinley gains Spanish concessions l February, explosion of the Maine l April 19--Congress declares Cuba independent, passes "Teller Amendment" l April 25--U.S. declares war on Spain

"A Splendid Little War" l U.S. regular army small, ill-prepared l Problems of equipment and supply – regulars possess latest Krag-Jorgensen rifles – Guard units possess old Springfield rifles l Most soldiers fight in National Guard units

“Smoked Yankees” l African Americans serve in army Guard units l Black troops resist segregation l African American soldiers win 26 Certificates of Merit, 5 Congressional Medals of Honor

The Course of the War l May 1--Commodore George Dewey captures Manila Bay l June--Cuba invaded l July--Santiago surrenders, Puerto Rico occupied l August 13--Philippines surrender

Spanish-American War: Pacific Theater

Spanish-American War: Caribbean Theater

Acquisition of Empire l Fate of the Philippines was the thorniest issue at the peace negotiations l December Treaty of Paris – Cuba independent – U.S. takes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines

The Treaty of Paris Debate l Debate over annexation of the Philippines l Opponents formed the Anti-Imperialist League l February, ratification of peace treaty makes U.S. a colonizing nation

American Empire, 1900

Guerrilla Warfare in the Philippines l Emilio Aguinaldo leads Philippine independence movement l U.S. replaces military with civil rule – local self-government permitted – schedule established for independence l July 4, Philippine independence

World Colonial Empires, 1900

Governing the Empire l Supreme Court permits selective application of Constitution to new territories l Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico organized as territories, inhabitants made U.S. citizens l Navy controls Guam l Cuban constitution ends U.S. occupation l Platt Amendment--U.S. given right to intervene in Cuban affairs

The Open Door l March, "Open Door" policy in China – no European nation should carve out a sphere of influence in China and exclude others from trading in the area l Policy opens the potential for later conflict with expansion-minded powers in Pacific

Outcome of the War with Spain l Teddy Roosevelt a war hero l Set back the cause of civil rights for African Americans l Confirms Republicans as majority party l U.S. soldiers stationed outside the country