1. US Foreign Policy, Imperialism, and the Spanish-American War
Lead Up to World War I
US Foreign Policy, Imperialism, and the Spanish-American War

2. US Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy: the set of goals, principles, and practices that guides a nation in its relations with other countries
US Foreign Policy in 1800’s guided by 2 goals
1) keep the US free of conflict and messy involvement with other nations
2) expand the US across the N. American continent

3. US Foreign Policy US Foreign Policy is a blend of realism and idealism
Realism = national self interest (what’s best for the US?)
Idealism = promote America’s ideals (democracy, rights, liberty)

4. US Foreign Policy Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)
“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world”
Neutrality in foreign wars
Unilateralism = operating without military or political alliances with other nations
1812/videos/americans-and-british-face-off-in- war-of-1812

5. US Foreign Policy The Monroe Doctrine President James Monroe
Warning to Europe that any attempt to colonize any part of the Western Hemisphere (the Americas) would be considered a hostile act

6. US Foreign Policy Continental expansion through diplomacy
Diplomacy = negotiations with other countries
Louisiana Territory from France (Jefferson, 1803)
Florida from Spain (Monroe, 1819)
Oregon Territory from Britain (Polk, 1846)
Alaska from Russia (Johnson, 1867)
Texas/SW Territory from Mexico (Polk, 1848)

7. US Foreign Policy
Late 1800’s: US starts looking overseas for territory
Claimed islands in Pacific Ocean for military and shipping purposes

8. Spanish-American War (1898)
Cuba had been a Spanish colony since 1492
Late 1800’s Cubans revolt against Spanish rule
Many Cubans were imprisoned
Americans sympathized with Cubans
American Revolution
Americans owned sugar plantations in Cuba and were worried about their investment

9. Spanish American War (1898)
Causes of Spanish-American War
1) Cuban revolution
2) Humanitarian concerns
3) “Yellow Journalism”
4) US Imperialism
5) de Lome letter
6) sinking of USS Maine
April, 1898: Congress declares war on Spain
Lasted 4 months  major victory for US in 1st overseas war  US is a world power

10. Spanish-American War (1898)
Guam, Puerto Rico, and Philippines became US possessions
US is now a colonial empire
Debate in Senate about US imperialism
imperialism = empire building
US remained in Cuba for 4 years to help recovery
Withdrew after Cuba agreed to change their Constitution to protect American interests
US allowed to intervene in Cuban affairs and set up military bases (Guantanamo Bay)
This set the stage for a shift in US foreign policy
Spanish-American War (1898)