1. SSUSH14: Explain America’s evolving relationship with the world at the turn of the 20th century.

2. a. Describe how the Spanish-American War, war in the Philippines, and territorial expansion led to the debate over American imperialism.

3. American Imperialism:
By the late 1800s, American began to join the ranks of world powers & began to acquire influence & territory outside of the continental US borders
Abandoned idea of isolationism
Imperialism: when a strong country takes over a weaker country physically, economically, & militarily
Many Americans believed that if the US remained isolated, European countries would take over the rest of the world & America would not survive

4. Spanish-American War (1898):
Cuba had been controlled by Spain for many years; attempted to overthrow the Spanish many times
In 1895, Cuba started another revolution against Spain. Spain responded by putting nearly 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps.
U.S. helps Cuba (angry over treatment of Cubans) – Causes of War
Yellow Journalism - exaggerating or stretching the truth
DeLome Letter – Private letter from Spanish minister to the U.S. which insulted Pres. McKinley.
Sinking of the USS Maine – U.S. battleship explodes while sitting in the harbor of Habana, Cuba. U.S. blames Spain.
April 1898 U.S. declares war on Spain

6. Spanish-American War:
Initial phase of the war began in the Pacific, not in Cuba
Theodore Roosevelt (in charge of the US Navy) ordered navy ships near the Philippines Island & when war was declared, the US Navy surprised the anchored Spanish ships & destroyed them
After the naval operation, the US moved quickly to fight a land war on the Philippines & in Cuba
Roosevelt & his all-volunteer unit known as “The Rough Riders” & an all black regime helped force the Spanish to retreat into the waiting guns of the American navy stationed off the coast of Cuba

7. Spanish-American War:
Treaty of Paris (1898) – Ended war with following terms:
Cuba is independent
U.S. gets Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
U.S. pays Spain $20 million (for Philippines)
As a result of the war:
U.S. now owns an empire
Ends U.S. isolationism
U.S. emerges as a world power

8. Philippine-American War
Filipinos thought Americans were allies helping them gain independence
However, when the Spanish-American War ended & the US gained control of the Philippines, a rebellion began, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, that started the Philippine-American War (1899)
Filipinos used guerilla war tactics to fight the Americans
War lasted 3 years; killed over 25,000 people
Philippines gained partial home rule
Gained full independence in 1946

10. Annexation of Hawaii:
Congress had rejected the idea of annexation of Hawaii many times
However, the US had been leasing the prize naval base at Pearl Harbor for decades & proved to be crucial to naval operations in the Spanish-American War
Annexation of Hawaii was approved in 1898

11. Americans debate expansionism:
Those in favor of expansion believed:
*The US had no choice but to educate others & civilize them (Social Darwinism)
*US had the responsibility to govern others
*Controlling peoples in Latin America was a step in gaining trade in China
*Other countries would try & take control of Latin America
Those against expansion believed:
* condemned imperialism as a crime
*went against the US principles that made up our government

12. b. Examine US involvement in Latin America, as reflected by the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine & the creation of the Panama Canal

13. Panama Canal:
Following the end of the Spanish-American War, the US was in a great position to take over markets throughout Latin America
Panama Canal - A canal built by the U.S. cutting across Central America to reduce travel time and provide a short cut between the oceans for commercial and military ships.
U.S. chose Panama for the canal, which belonged to Colombia. They refused our offer…wanted more $.
US helps Panama rebel against Colombia
Panama accepts our offer ($10m and $250,000 a year)
Canal built between

18. Monroe Doctrine to Roosevelt Corollary:
Monroe Doctrine: foreign policy that discouraged European intervention in the Western Hemisphere
Roosevelt Corollary: an extension of the Monroe Doctrine that stated that the US would use force to remove European powers from the Western Hemisphere
Created to protect the canal and other US regional interests
Based on the African proverb: “speak softly and carry a big stick”
Also known as “Big Stick Diplomacy”
Created by Theodore Roosevelt; wanted the US to remain the strongest power in the Western Hemisphere