1. Unit 9: Imperialism and Reform

2. Goals of this Unit
To be able to explain the economic, political, and cultural forces that sparked a spectacular burst of imperialistic expansionism for the United States, culminating in the Spanish-American War.
To understand the importance of the strong progressive movement successfully demanding that the powers of government be applied to solving the economic and social problems of industrialization.
To explain why a split Republican party will lead to Woodrow Wilson’s progressive idealism and isolationism would initiate sweeping reforms domestically, but lead to dangerous military involvements internationally.

3. The Rise of Imperialism
Europe had been colonizing in Africa and Asia for most of the 1800s
Isolationist America turning towards imperialism now

4. Why Imperialism? Europe showing economic benefits of imperialism
New markets in rare resources from Africa & Asia
Yellow journalism
Increased public interest in foreign “exotic and adventurous” lands
Missionaries
Wanted to “save” un-Christian natives of these lands
Reverend Josiah Strong leader of movement
Capt. Alfred Thayer Mahan’s “Influence of Sea Power Upon History”
Stressed that key to power is through the navy
Effect of book:
U.S. starts building up Navy
Stronger navy allows for imperialism

5. Why Imperialism? Widely believed social theories:
Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” theory:
Weaker nations will wither away due to course of nature
Thus, it’s only natural for stronger nations to conquer the weak
Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden”:
(Read the poem silently and turn to a partner to discuss it’s meaning)
Theorized that “white” Europe and America have a responsibility to colonize to “help” the weaker nations
Thus make own nation stronger
Both used as justification for imperialism

6. “The White Man’s Burden” By Rudyard Kipling
TAKE UP THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN—
SEND FORTH THE BEST YE BREED—
GO BIND YOUR SONS TO EXILE
TO SERVE YOUR CAPTIVES' NEED;
TO WAIT IN HEAVY HARNESS,
ON FLUTTERED FOLK AND WILD—
YOUR NEW-CAUGHT, SULLEN PEOPLES,
HALF-DEVIL AND HALF-CHILD.
TAKE UP THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN—
NO TAWDRY RULE OF KINGS,
BUT TOIL OF SERF AND SWEEPER—
THE TALE OF COMMON THINGS.
THE PORTS YE SHALL NOT ENTER,
THE ROADS YE SHALL NOT TREAD,
GO MARK THEM WITH YOUR LIVING,
AND MARK THEM WITH YOUR DEAD.
TAKE UP THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN—
IN PATIENCE TO ABIDE,
TO VEIL THE THREAT OF TERROR
AND CHECK THE SHOW OF PRIDE;
BY OPEN SPEECH AND SIMPLE,
AN HUNDRED TIMES MADE PLAIN
TO SEEK ANOTHER'S PROFIT,
AND WORK ANOTHER'S GAIN.

7. Push towards imperialism/navy?
International Incidents & Policies How does each push America towards imperialism and the need for a strong navy?
James G. Blaine’s “Big Brother” (AKA “Big Sister”) policy
U.S. responsibility to protect Latin America
1882 – Blaine leads Pan-American Conference
U.S. mediates disputes between Latin American countries
Push towards imperialism/navy?
Goals for Blaine were imperialistic:
Make Latin America supportive and reliant on U.S.
Allow U.S. to have direct influence in Latin American politics

8. 1888 – Standoff: USA vs. Germany over Samoa
Result: Samoa split in half
1891 – Standoff: USA vs. Italy – 11 Italian immigrants lynched in New Orleans
Result: USA made payments to Italian families
Push towards imperialism/navy?
Navy needed strengthening in case of war
1889 – Standoff: USA vs. Britain after gold is discovered in Guiana (Venezuelan region)
Britain attempts to take over and mine gold – Issue?
Breaking the Monroe Doctrine
Result:
Venezuela pleads with U.S. for help
U.S. steps in and sticks up for “little sister”
Britain backs down, war narrowly avoided
Strengthens Latin American dependence on U.S.

9. Hawaii
American “economic imperialism” present in Hawaii since early 1800s
Fruit and sugar companies had lots of power over islands due to economic power
Hawaii regarded as a “little sister” as well
Reasons for imperialism:
Companies feared Japan might try to take over
Resistance of native Hawaiians growing
McKinley’s high import tax was hurting American companies in Hawaii
Solution?
Annex Hawaii

10. Hawaii’s Annexation? Queen Liliuokalani refused to give up power
1893 – Americans in Hawaii
& dethrone Queen with
some U.S. military help
President Grover Cleveland upset by non-diplomatic methods
Refused to sign off on annexation
Temporary republic set up by business owners
Hawaii eventually annexed in 1898 by McKinley

11. Cuba 1895 – Cubans revolt against Spain American roots for Cuba – why?
Supports the Monroe Doctrine policy
Cuba valuable for ports and location
Sentimental of American revolution
Spanish General Weyler sent to stop revolt
Harsh tactics: concentration camps for “insurrectos”

12. Effect of Yellow Journalism
Hearst & Pulitzer portray Weyler as super villain
Embellished pictures outrage Americans
The de Lome letter
Stolen letter written by Spanish diplomat insulting McKinley is published in Hearst’s newspapers
Americans angered
The U.S.S. Maine explosion (1898)
Ship explodes in Havana harbor killing 258 American sailors
Cause of explosion unknown but the yellow press blamed Spain
American public demanded war for revenge on Spain
McKinley reluctantly gives in, Congress declares war April 1898
Teller Amendment – U.S. promises not to annex Cuba after war

13. Spanish-American War Spanish-American War
War heavily supported by the public
America overconfident and underprepared
Poor planning on both sides

14. War in the Pacific
Secretary of the Navy Teddy Roosevelt sees chance for imperialistic gains
Roosevelt orders Commodore George Dewey to attack Spain in the Philippines
May 1, 1898 – Dewey attacks and first battle of war ensues
10 aged Spanish ships vs. 6 modern American ships
Very one-sided naval battle – America wins naval battle
Unprepared: couldn’t invade – must wait on foot soldier reinforcements
Aug 13 – U.S. captures Manila from Spain with help of Filipino insurgents against Spain
Americans save Filipino rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo from exile to help fight Spain
Now with U.S. controlling Philippines, a coaling station needed between Southeast Asia & California…
Hawaii officially annexed in 1898

15. War in the Caribbean U.S. led by Gen. William Shafter
Teddy Roosevelt resigns from Sec. of Navy to fight in war
Organizes “Rough Riders” cavalry – horseless cavalry
Unprepared: couldn’t get horses from ships to shore
Spain sends fleet to Santiago’s narrow harbor
Mistake: creates a gauntlet for Spain to get in or out
U.S. sends ships and troops to Santiago
Unprepared: soldiers issued wool uniforms – suffer in extreme summer heat
U.S. navy blockades harbor and soldiers surrounded the Spanish from the other side of the harbor
Spain tries to run gauntlet out of the harbor and gets mowed down by the U.S. navy
U.S. easily takes Spanish-owned Puerto Rico and Guam too
Spain surrenders and signs armistice by August 1898

16. Aftermath of Spanish American War
Effects of the “Splendid Little War”
Unprepared: poor medical planning – more soldiers (5,000) will die of disease than in battle (4,000)
U.S. seen as a rising world power
North vs. South tension disappears a bit
Common enemy was the Spaniards, not each other
Teddy Roosevelt rises to fame
Post-war treaty proposed:
Cuba would be free
U.S. would gain Puerto Rico, Guam, and control of Philippines
What to do with all these countries?

17. Cuba
Promised freedom to Cuba, but America wanted to ensure a stable government would take power:
Temporary military government led by Col. Leonard Wood
Sets up Cuban government, education system, agriculture
Makes medical advancements to combat rampant disease
U.S. leaves Cuba by 1902 – creates Platt Agreement:
U.S. approves all Cuban treaties
U.S. could intervene if Cuban economy crashes
U.S. military owns one coaling station in Cuba
Guantanamo Bay

18. Puerto Rico Retained as an unincorporated territory of the U.S.
Issue: Do American laws apply here?
Series of “Insular Cases” taken to Supreme Court
Supreme Court declares American laws don’t extend to these new lands
Improvements made in sanitation, transportation, education, etc
Foraker Act gives P.R. limited elected government
1917 – Puerto Ricans granted full U.S. citizenship
Many freely move to New York City

19. The Philippines Dilemma
Big issue at treaty talks: “What to do with the Philippines?”
Give back to Spain?
Spain ruled harshly and abusive of natives
Let Filipinos rule themselves?
Could result in chaos due to rival warlords
U.S. takes over the country?
Would make U.S. look like imperial bullies
Angry Filipinos willing to fight for freedom
McKinley decides to take over Philippines           
Swayed by yellow press’s effect on public opinion and imperialist business owners
$20 million paid to Spain for Philippines

20. The Philippines Dilemma
Senate still needs to approve treaty – debate ensues:
Anti-Imperialist League lobby against annexation:
Unlike Hawaii or Alaska, Philippines had a heavily resistant population and out of U.S. “jurisdiction”
Imperialists lobby for annexation:
“The White Man’s Burden” used as justification
Treaty approved by one vote in Senate

21. Filipino Resistance
Filipinos felt deceived by USA, wanted independence
Feb 4, 1899 – Emilio Aguinaldo leads uprising – ironic?
Philippine-American War
Fighting lasts for over a year
America uses cruel tactics to suppress Filipinos
American soldiers die more from disease than battle
Diplomatic solutions taken
William H. Taft sent to serve as civil governor of Philippines
Taft well liked by Filipinos

22. Filipino Resistance Taft institutes “benevolent assimilation” policy:
Goal was to caringly help and improve the Philippines
Millions of American dollars invested in Filipino infrastructure:
Sanitation, roads, education, economy, healthcare
Fighting fades away, but desire for independence still alive
Philippines not granted freedom until 1946.

23. Imperialized China Separated into “spheres of influence” by Europe
Various European countries had exclusive trade rights in coastal cities of China
American business wants in on China’s natural resources
Sec. of State John Hay drafts “Open Door Policy”
Suggests that Chinese cities should be open to all nations for trade – ban all exclusive trade rights
Europe not willing to compromise
1899 – China’s Boxer Rebellion against foreigners quelled by combined forces of Europe and America
Open Door Policy now accepted at treaty talks
America now has open and lucrative trade with China

24. Election of 1896 Issues: Reps nominate William McKinley
Base currency off gold, silver, or both?
Demands of working class vs. worried upper classes
Reps nominate William McKinley
“Safe” choice: Civil War vet, good Congressional record, pro-tariff, friendly and likeable
Very pro-business
Dems nominate William Jennings Bryan
“Boy orator of the Platte”
Young (36), great speaker & debater from Nebraska
Anti-tariff, used Populist Party’s main platform: coin more silver
Populists started joining the Democrats:
“Dem-Pop” Party
McKinley exploits economic fears of country, drums up far more campaign money
McKinley easily wins election
Results & effects of election?
Currency will be based on gold, not silver
Victory for business owners and upper classes

25. President William McKinley
Very safe and cautious with his decisions
Made decisions based off public opinion
Two issues: gold vs. silver & fix economy
Dingley Tariff Act (1897) – significantly raised tariff to 46%
Goal was to increase revenue & fix economy after Panic of 1893
Cleveland’s low Wilson-Gorman Tariff deemed ineffective
Gold Standard Act (1900)
Allowed for people to trade paper money for gold
More symbolic than anything
Giving people the option brought calmness and confidence in the economy
Gold discovered in Alaska causes inflation
Helps lower classes

26. Prosperity McKinley successful in fixing economy
Country pulled out of recession
Pro-business policies, inflation from gold discovery, gold vs. silver debate solved…
Allows for calmness and confidence in economy
Calmness and confidence → economic growth
Uncertainty in economy → hinders growth

27. Election of 1900 Rematch between McKinley and William Jennings Bryan
Mudslinging:
Bryan: McKinley is an imperialist bully and war monger
McKinley: Bryan as president would kill American prosperity
McKinley chose famous and beloved Teddy Roosevelt as VP
McKinley is easily reelected…
McKinley shot and killed 6 months into second term
Assassin was a disgruntled anarchist
Secret Service reassigned to full-time duty of protecting presidents and politicians

28. President Theodore Roosevelt
AKA “Teddy” or “TR”
Short, brawny New Yorker, Harvard grad
Theory of role: a president should lead, not supervise
Motto: “Speak softly and carry a big stick”
Ironic because TR was boisterous, stubborn, and temperamental
BELOVED by the public – why?
Press often portrayed him a spunky, cartoonish, war-hero

29. Imperialist Teddy: Panama Canal
TR wants canal in Central America built – why?
Would greatly benefit trade and power of navy
French engineer Philippe Bunau-Varilla hired
Obstacles:
European jurisdictions
Location of canal: Nicaragua? Panama?
Panama chosen, but is part of Columbia – refused to give up land

30. The Panama Canal Bunau-Varilla incited Panama rebellion in 1901
U.S. Navy helps Panama in wining independence from Columbian “tyrants”
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty signed between Panama and U.S.
Approves construction and lease of canal to U.S
Panama Canal completed in 1914
Obstacles of sanitation, disease, and overwhelming engineering task overcome
Construction led by George Washington Goethals

31. U.S.-Latin America Relations Damaged
Canal causes major tension because of “Big Stick Policy”
Bullying techniques used to cause war between Panama and Columbia
Latin American countries consistently behind in repaying debts to Europe
TR worried Europe would intervene – problem?
Violates Monroe Doctrine
Creates the “Roosevelt Corollary”
Amendment to Monroe Doctrine stating U.S. will intervene and collect debts for Europe
U.S. significantly intervenes in Cuba in 1906, and later Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic
TR’s “Big Stick Policy” contradicts the intended “Good Neighbor Policy”
Latin American relations with U.S. deteriorate
U.S.-Latin America Relations Damaged

32. Teddy the Peacemaker
1905 – TR asked to mediate treaty talks after Russo-Japanese War
Both Japan and Russia unhappy with results, especially Japan
Relations between all three countries decline
1906 – TR successfully mediates a dispute in North Africa
Wins Nobel Peace Prize for peace-making work

33. Rocky Relations with Japan
Japan bitter after TR’s mediation
Small number of Japanese laborers begin to migrate to California
“Yellow peril” sweeps through state thanks to influence of press
1906 – Asian immigrants segregated from SF Schools
Japan outraged at treatment of Japanese in California – talks of war
TR makes “Gentleman’s Agreement” to end issue
Asian segregation in schools ends, Japan halts emigration to U.S.
TR worried agreement makes America look weak
Sends the “Great White Fleet” on “diplomatic good-will mission”…
Subtly shows power of U.S. military
U.S. and Japan sign Root-Takahira agreement – respect for each other’s territories

34. Progressive Party Rises
New reform movement gaining influence – “Progressives”
Roots from Greenback Party (1870s) and Populist Party (1890s)
Goal: to achieve social justice by using government as an “agency of human welfare”
Calling for more government intervention, less “laissez-faire” capitalism
1902 – “Muckrakers” emerge – writers and social critics exposing corruption and injustice through newspapers and magazines
“Cosmopolitan” Magazine
“The Shame of Cities” by Lincoln Steffens

35. Who was the Progressive Party?
Mostly made up of middle class
Felt squashed between business tycoons at top and working class at bottom
Political reforms wanted:
Initiative and referendum – public can propose & vote on laws
Recall – voters can remove elected officials
Secret ballot – ensures free and fair voting
Female suffrage

36. Women’s Movement Lillian Ward & Jane Addams lead suffrage movement
Create “Hull House” in Chicago to help working class and immigrants
Women’s rights gaining strength through legislation:
1908 – Muller v. Oregon – extra laws to protect female workers deemed constitutional
1911 – Triangle Shirtwaist Fire – new motion for laws for better hours, conditions, safety, and worker compensation
Prohibition Movement
Anti-Saloon League join Woman’s Christian Temperance Movement
Well-organized, well-financed
Many states started banning alcohol
Half of Americans by 1914 live in “dry” areas
1919 – 18th Amendment passes “Prohibition”
Alcohol sale, consumption, and possession banned

37. Teddy the Progressive
TR deeply influenced by “muckrakers” progressivism – ironic?
TR created the derogatory name
Teddy calls platform: “The Square Deal”:
Vows to accomplish the “Three C’s”:
Control corporations
Consumer protection
Conservation of natural resources

38. 1st C: Control the Corporations
Creates the Dept. of Commerce and Labor
Bureau of Corporations responsible for:
Investigating interstate trade
Stops railroad corruption & bullying
Breaking up monopolies (AKA “trusts”)
Teddy the “Trust buster”
TR proudly begins to break up monopolies
Disbands over 40 “bad” trusts
Biggest was JP Morgan’s trust
“Good” trusts were allowed to operate

39. 2nd C: Consumer Protection
1906 – “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair exposes horrible conditions of meat packing industry
Has major influence on public and Congress
1906 – Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act both passed
Proper labeling techniques, inspection, prevents tampering
Results in increased exports of American meat

40. 3rd C: Conservation of Natural Resources
By 1900, America realizing natural resources not unlimited
TR leads conservation movement
1902 – Newlands Act – massive irrigation projects in West
TR lawfully protects 125 million acres of forest
TR still a pragmatist over a conservationist
Example: Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite
Leads to a philosophical split

41. The “Roosevelt Panic” of 1907
Sudden sharp economic downturn
Beloved Teddy solely blamed
Congress passes Aldrich-Vreeland Act (1908)
Authorizes national banks to release money into circulation
An elastic supply of currency could now help during recessions
Would lead to the Federal Reserve Act (1913)

42. Election of 1908
TR still very popular announced he would not run for a third term
Endorses a similar-minded politician
William Taft is Rep. Nominee
Taft was BIG and very likeable
William Jennings Bryan is Dem. Nominee for 3rd time
Taft easily wins election
Much help from TR’s popularity
Socialist Party candidate Eugene Debs gets 3% of popular vote – significance?
Debs rose to fame in Pullman Strike in Chicago
Sign of the times: social justice movement

43. Teddy’s Legacy Brought big business under control
Increases role of presidency
Passes wide range of reform
Showed U.S. was a world power
Therefore U.S. had “major responsibility” TR stressed

44. President William H. Taft
Taft was well-liked, but less like TR than expected:
Hands-off approach to leading
Mildly progressive
Desired stability rather than reform
Taft pushed “Dollar Diplomacy” policy:
America would strategically invest in foreign countries to gain power
Therefore, U.S. could gain power and money simultaneously
Very different from TR’s Big Stick Policy
Dollar Diplomacy in action:
Purchase of Chinese railroads fail – blocked by Russia & Japan
U.S. heavily invests in Latin America
U.S. now responsible for maintaining stability in Latin America

45. Taft the Trustbuster
Taft “out-busts” TR – 90 trusts disbanded in his term
Biggest was Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company
Taft attempts to break up U.S. Steel Company
TR had deemed it one of the “good trusts”
Taft refuses to halt investigation, TR furious

46. Republicans Split “Old, traditional” Reps vs. “New, progressive” Reps
2 big dividing issues: the tariff & conservation
Old Reps: high tariff, develop land for economic benefit
New Reps: low tariff, conserve lands
Taft promised to lower tariff during campaigning
Signs Payne-Aldrich Bill which raises tariff
Further splits Rep. Party
Taft allows for Wyoming, Montana, Alaska to be open for development
Very unpopular with public
Who’s bound to gain power from this split?
Democrats win heavily in Congressional Elections in 1910

47. The Taft-Roosevelt Rupture
The Republican Party officially splits:
1911 – National Progressive Republican League
Led by Senator Robert La Follette
Roosevelt so upset by Taft’s presidency, he decides to run again
Progressive Republican Party nominates TR
June 1912 – Republican Presidential Convention
Taft vs. Roosevelt, winner would run as Rep. nominee for president
Convention votes on Taft – why?
Incumbent, fear public wouldn’t vote for a 3rd term president
Teddy refused to step aside, vows to run as a 3rd party candidate

48. Election of 1912 Republican Party nominates Taft
Progressive Party nominates Roosevelt
“Bull Moose Party”
Democratic Party nominates Dr. Woodrow Wilson
Governor of New Jersey
Very progressive minded
Two Major Platforms:
Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism”
Only disband “bad” trusts, female suffrage, social welfare programs
Wilson’s “New Freedom”
Disband all trusts, supported small business
Mudslinging and incident:
Major mudslinging between Taft and Roosevelt
Roosevelt shot on campaign trail, survives

49. Election of 1912 Wilson wins easily Why is this significant?
Popular vote:
Wilson: 42%
Roosevelt: 28%
Taft: 23%
Why is this significant?
Majority wanted a Republican president, not Wilson
Taft retires from politics, goes to law school
Becomes Chief Justice of Supreme Court in 1921
Teddy goes on expedition of South Africa
Side note: Eugene Debs (Socialist) gets 6% of popular vote

50. President Woodrow Wilson
Born and raised in South, very intelligent, deeply religious, believed president should lead
Very different than TR:
Stubborn idealist, not a pragmatist
Sometimes detrimental to achieving goals
Not a people’s person
A Progressive President…
Wilson vows to tear down “triple wall of privilege”:
The tariff, the banks, the trusts

51. Domestic: “Triple Wall of Privilege”
Major reforms made:
Tariffs: The Underwood Tariff (1913)
Reduced tariffs on imports
Initiated a graduated income tax
Banking: Federal Reserve Act (1913)
Creates appointed Federal Reserve Board
Oversee 12 regional, federal banks
Issue paper money to regulate amount of currency in circulation
Made conservative appointments to Board to keep business tycoons happy
Trusts: Federal Trade Commission Act (1914)
Investigates activities of trust
Goal: stop crooked business practices affecting consumers
Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) also passed
Forbade price discrimination, interlocking directorates, helped union rights

52. Domestic: “Wilsonian Progressivism”
Follows up with several reforms:
Protection for farmers
Better treatment and pay for sailors
Paved way for better worker’s rights:
Worker’s Compensation Act (1916)
Adamson Act (1916)
8-hour workday and overtime
Made small steps toward ethnic equality
Appoints Louis Brandeis, first Jewish Supreme Justice
Little done for African Americans during progressivism
W.E.B. Du Bois created National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

53. International: Wilson’s Foreign Policy
Wilson a pacifist and anti-imperialist:
Blocked American involvement in mass loan to China
Got Congress to repeal Panama Canal Tolls Act (1912)
American ships now had to pay tolls
Jones Act (1916) granting territorial status of Philippines
Promises independence when stable government is established
Defused situation with Japan over treatment of Japanese in California
Purchases Virgin Islands from Denmark for protective reasons
United States Virgin Islands

54. International: Wilson’s Foreign Policy
Wilson a pacifist and anti-imperialist:
Why might this have a dangerous outcome on America internationally?
America already had many businesses and land overseas
From Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
Abandoning them?
Forced to send Marines to protect American investments in Haiti and Dom. Rep. after violence erupts
Mexican Revolution…

55. Mexican Revolution (1910)
Extremely poor and oppressed population revolts
Political chaos breaks out among rival warlords
Mass immigration to Southwestern U.S. ensues
Fearing war, Wilson declines to protect American businesses
Rebel Pancho Villa despises American business in Mexico
Raids and kills 16 American engineers
Kills 19 more in near border in New Mexico
Wilson sends in Army to catch Pancho Villa
Meet resistance from rival Mexican armies
Troops called back to U.S. in 1914 – why?
WWI starts, never catch Pancho Villa

56. War Breaks Out in Europe
1914 – Austrian prince Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Serbian nationalist
Complex alliances pulls all of Europe into war one by one
Allied Powers:
Russia
France
England
Australia
Central Powers:
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
Wilson declares U.S. officially neural