IMPERIALISTIC PRESIDENTS Learning Target: Explain the foreign policy goals and actions of McKinley, T. Roosevelt and Taft.

William McKinley 1897-1901 Republican Basic Info elected at the end of a depression era moral responsibility to spread Christianity Presidency dominated by foreign policy Yellow Journalism portrayed unrest in Cuba as very violent criticized for being weak and indecisive public pressure forced McKinley to declare war on Spain Spanish-American War U.S. gains land at the end of the war Cuba, Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico U.S. Strength gains from war moved U.S. amongst top imperialist nations McKinley’s decisions during the war praised by journalists military bases = military strength trading ports = economic strength Assassination September 1901 Leon Czolgosz – anarchist, unemployed factory worker executed October 29, 1901

William McKinley 1897-1901 Interesting Facts First President to ride in an automobile while President………..it was an ambulance after he was assassinated! First President to use a telephone to campaign Commanding Officer during the Civil War was Rutherford B. Hayes who also later became President McKinley’s wife Ida hated the color yellow so much she had everything yellow removed from the White House including the yellow flowers in the garden McKinley’s portrait was featured on the $500 bill which was last printed in 1934 McKinley’s inauguration was the first to be filmed McKinley loved carnations and wore them as a good luck charm

McKinley http://www.history.com/topics/spanish-american-war/videos#mckinley-faces-war-assassination

Theodore Roosevelt Big Stick Diplomacy “Speak softly and carry a big stick” Big stick = military International negotiations backed by threat of force U.S. has moral responsibility to “civilize” weaker nations Roosevelt Corollary (to Monroe Doctrine) U.S. can use “international police power” in Latin America to prevent European nations from intervening 1901 – 1909

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909 Republican Basic Info McKinley’s VP – took over upon McKinley’s assassination Spanish-American War veteran already had strong reputation with the people “Speak Softly and Carry A Big Stick” big stick = U.S. naval power Roosevelt had built up naval power helped make Panama Canal a reality U.S. Navy assisted Panama in gaining her independence from Colombia Roosevelt Corollary corollary – extension of an existing policy large sums of money invested in Latin America by Europeans and Americans high interest bank loans Dominican Republic unable to repay debt fear that Europe would use force to collect debt Corollary stated the following: American will intervene and use armed forces in Latin American affairs if necessary if you mess with Latin America you mess with the United States Roosevelt Corollary issued without approve from any Latin American countries Roosevelt showed strength and power of the United States

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909 Republican Interesting Facts Roosevelt was the first President to travel outside of the United States – Panama 1906 First American to win the Nobel Peace Price in 1906 for his role in the Russo-Japanese War Most of Roosevelt’s education was homeschooling by his parents and tutors Roosevelt was blind in his left eye – the result of a boxing injury Roosevelt was known to go skinny dipping in the Potomac River during the wintertime First President to fly in a plane in 1910 – 4 minute flight in a plane built by the Wright Brothers Youngest President to assume office at the age of 42 – JFK youngest elected at 43

Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy http://www.history.com/topics/theodore-roosevelt/videos#roosevelts-big-stick-foreign-policy

William Howard Taft 1909-1913 Republican Basic Info very different ideas than Roosevelt did not believe in stretching his Presidential powers Dollar Diplomacy promote American economic interests in other countries use that economic power to achieve American policy goals suggested U.S. buy out European loans in Latin America wanted to invest 1.6 billion in Latin American mines, railroads, banana and sugar plantations Taft investments resented by the Latin American people Latin America feared too much U.S. economic intervention and control

William Howard Taft 1909-1913 Republican Interesting Facts Taft weighed over 330 pounds – largest President – got stuck in the White House bathtub Taft was the only President ever to have been both the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and President First President to throw the first ball of baseball season in 1910 – Philadelphia Athletics and Washington Senators First President to own a car – converted the stables into a garage Last President to keep a cow at the White House for fresh milk – Pauline Referred to the White House as the “loneliest place in the world” Argued for the construction of the U.S. Supreme Court building First President to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery – JFK also buried there

Taft and Dollar Diplomacy http://www.schooltube.com/video/3c0f20ffce0fca65c463/