IMPERIALISM and the United States

Imperialism Definition: policy in which stronger nations extend economic, political, or military control over weaker territories COLONIZATION European expansion was focused on Africa during the 1800s then moved to Asia, especially China

American Imperialism After the idea of Manifest Destiny, American imperialism made sense (plus we had run out of room on the continent) There were numerous benefits seen to imperialism: Gained military strength To be successful, we needed a strong Navy With the creation of the “Great White Fleet” became the 3 rd largest naval power in the world Created new economic markets Foreign trade would give new markets for overproduced farm goods and raw materials for factories Idea of cultural superiority (ethnocentrism)

First Major Acquisitions ALASKA! 1867 William Seward arranged to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (2¢ an acre) Many people thought he was nuts – became known as “Seward’s Folly” HAWAII HI was an independent country, however ¾ of the land was controlled by American sugar planters and Americans want it annexed 1887 – US Naval base built at Pearl Harbor 1898 – declared an American territory (becomes a state in 1959)

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR Changing World Dynamics

Spain as an Empire While Spain had had an impressive world wide empire, during the late 1800s their territories had shrunk to the Philippines, Guam, African territories, Cuba, and Puerto Rico

Cuban Timeline 1854 – Pres. Franklin Pierce offers to buy Cuba. Spain says they would rather see it sunk into the Ocean – Series of unsuccessful Cuban rebellions against Spain 1895 – Second war of independence against Spain Used guerilla tactics and destroyed property, especially American property Spanish reaction was to herd 300,000 civilians into concentration camps

America’s Role 1897 – William McKinley elected President Tries to deal with Spain/Cuba through diplomatic channels Main Spanish general (Weyler) recalled to Spain Concentration camps modified Limited self-government granted to Cuba

American Reaction Cuba only 90 miles away from Key West – many Americans saw the island as an obvious extension of Manifest Destiny Many of the events in Cuba became sensationalized as part of a newspaper war between William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer Known as YELLOW JOURNALISM However public opinion on Cuba was split … until two major events: DeLome Letter USS Maine

DeLome Letter “Besides the ingrained and inevitable bluntness with which is repeated all that the press and public opinion in Spain have said about Weyler, it once more shows what McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave a door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.”

“Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain” USS Maine Sent to Havana to retrieve US citizens Feb 15, 1898 – The Maine blows up in Havana harbor killing over 260 U.S. sailors U.S. papers claim the Spanish blew it up (yellow journalism) April 11, 1898 – McKinley goes to Congress April 20 – DECLARATION OF WAR!

War in the Philippines First battle with Spain occurs in the Philippines Commodore George Dewey destroys Spanish fleet in Manila harbor Filipinos support Dewey August 1898: Spanish troops in Manila surrender to U.S.

CUBA LIBRE! U.S. Naval blockade of Cuba begins While our Navy was strong, the Army was relatively weak. 125,000 volunteer to fight Lack real training, supplies, leadership Rough Riders – cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt Most famous moment is the Battle at San Juan Hill Spain tries to flee through blockade, but their Navy is destroyed US soon invades Puerto Rico

“The Rough Riders” Teddy!

Treaty of Paris (1898) August 1898 – Spain and US sign armistice Terms of the Treaty: Spain frees Cuba Gives Guam and Puerto Rico to U.S. Sells Philippines to the U.S. Debate over Treaty: Huge debates over morality of imperialism McKinley tries to justify annexation of Philippines on moral grounds

Cuba and the United States U.S. recognizes Cuban independence from Spain Teller Amendment says U.S. has no intention of taking over Cuba U.S. occupies Cuba; keeps same officials in office Cuban protestors imprisoned or exiled HOWEVER: U.S. makes Cuba add Platt Amendment to its constitution: No treaties that let foreign power control Cuba U.S. has right to intervene in Cuban affairs U.S. can buy/lease land for navy Cuba is now a US protectorate : a country whose affairs partly controlled by stronger one

Filipino Independence? Philippines purchased from Spain for $20 million as part of Treaty of Paris William Howard Taft First Governor-General of the Philippines

The Philippine American War Filipino goal: Gain independence inflict constant casualties on U.S. troops Filipinos led by Emilio Aguinaldo American advantage: much better training and supplied The Oregon Volunteer Infantry in 1899

Guerrilla War Phase Filipinos abandon conventional warfare American tactics Take no prisoners Burn villages Concentration camps

Legacy of the Philippine-American War Deaths U.S. = 4,326 soldiers (mostly from disease) Filipinos = 34,000 soldiers; 200,000 civilians Moro Indians = 10,000 to 20,000 men Philippines remains an important naval base for U.S. through World War II Philippines gains independence on July 4, 1946

U.S. IN LATIN AMERICA

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”

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RECAP: The Monroe Doctrine (1823) Any European efforts to colonize land or interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere would be seen as an act of aggression and would result in U.S. intervention Added that the U.S. would not interfere with existing European colonies Very minor impact on world relations … until Teddy Roosevelt Video Clip

The Roosevelt Corollary TR worried about Europe becoming involved in Latin America if countries stop paying back their loans Demands Europe stay out as part of the Monroe Doctrine What parts of the Monroe Doctrine does TR conveniently ignore? TR issues the Roosevelt Corollary – U.S. will intervene in any issues between Europe and Latin America, using military force if needed

Teddy Roosevelt’s Influence 1)Russo-Japanese War ( ) Rival imperialist ambitions over Manchuria and Korea Japan attacked Russia’s naval fleet as part of first strike Russia’s navy and army are defeated Russia was also going through a Revolution and the overthrow of the Tsar TR helps negotiate Treaty of Portsmouth Japan gets Korea TR gets Nobel Peace Prize Video Clip

Teddy Roosevelt’s Influence 2) Panama Canal Goal: Cut down on travel time of ships existing route was around the southern tip of South America – long and dangerous journey Panama under the control of Columbia; when negotiations break down, US gives military aid to Panamanian rebels Once Panama is an independent nation, US signs treaty paying $10 million for Canal Zone Considered one of the world’s greatest engineering feats Major obstacles: geography and disease At height, 43,400 workers employed December 31, 1999 – Panama gained control of the Canal Video Clip