1. Imperialism & World War I
American History II - Unit 3

2. Review
What are some similarities in the way the US handled Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines after the S-A War?
US did not give freedom, US maintained some sort of military presence, and US set up a controlled and limited form of government
American imperialistic attitudes and the Open Door policies in China reflected what 3 key beliefs about America as a global power at the turn of the 20th century?
US economy should rely on exports (need foreign markets)
US had the right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open
The closing of an area threatened America’s growth and influence
In what ways did American activity in the Caribbean and the Philippines contradict the Monroe Doctrine of 1823?
US was supposed to protect Latin American countries from Europe… In the name of protection, the US is exerting control over smaller countries (Cuba, Puerto Rico)
US was supposed to stay out of the western hemisphere… US presence in the Philippines is a direct violation of this

3. 3.4 – America as a World Power

4. Roosevelt: The Peacekeeper
1901 – McKinley assassinated, Roosevelt POTUS!
Wanted to continue America’s growth as a global presence
Using Open Door policies to increase American influence in east Asia, Roosevelt mediated a conflict between Russia and Japan.
1904 – Russo-Japanese War over power of Korea, Japan successful but running out of $
Japan asked Roosevelt to mediate peace agreements (met in New Hampshire on a yacht)  Treaty of Portsmouth
Japan got power in Korea and Manchuria
Russia and Japan split Sakhalin Island (off Russia coast)
Roosevelt won1906 Noble Peace Prize

5. Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
A canal in Central America would reduce travel time for commercial and military ships  shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Nicaragua – longer but crossed a large lake
Panama –shorter but crossed mountains and swamps
France had tried to build in Panama but gave up, land difficult to work with  1903, Roosevelt and Congress approve to buy French plans for $40M and plan construction.

6. Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
Panama owned by Columbia, US needed permission to build  unsuccessful negotiations with Columbia
US encouraged Panamanians to rebel  Panama declares independence, US war ships observe
Proof of global presence and naval strength
1903 – US-Panama treaty to begin construction on canal
US paid $10M up front, $250,000 annual rent for Canal Zone
Payments to begin in 1913

7. Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
– Panama Canal construction
Over 43,000 workers – Italian, Spanish, blacks from Caribbean
Over 5,600 died (disease, accidents)
$380M cost – one of the greatest engineering feats of the time
August 15, 1914 – Opened for business
Shortened journey by 8,000 miles
US-Latin American relations damaged – US paid $25M to Columbia, still ill-will
1999 – US gave full control of canal to Panama

8. How the Panama Canal Works

9. Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy
Foreign policy – how a gov’t/administration/politician approaches dealing with other nations
Differs depending on specific attitudes on how to best handle international conflicts
Roosevelt’s foreign policy  “speak softly and carry a big stick” aka “Big Stick Diplomacy”
Combination of intelligent and effective diplomacy (speak softly) and ever-present threat of military force (carry a big stick)

10. Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy
Late 1800s – many Latin American countries borrowed $ from European banks to build railroads and develop industries
Roosevelt feared that if the loans were not repaid, European countries would interfere in the western hemisphere  Roosevelt determined to make the US the main power in the Caribbean and Latin America
Latin America

11. Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy
“Chronic wrongdoing… may ultimately require intervention by some civilized nations, an in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States… to the exercise of an international police power.”
- Roosevelt Corollary
December 1904 – Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1823)
Declared that the US would use military force to protect US economic interests in Latin America against European advances
Latin America - pay back your loans and we won’t have to interfere
Europe – don’t interfere in our hemisphere, we will use our military force on you too
Roosevelt Corollary text – “speak softly”
Threat of military force – “carry a big stick”

14. Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
Taft POTUS  focused less on military intervention, more on financial intervention
“substituting dollars for bullets” but would send troops if provoked
Dollar diplomacy – US supplied money to prevent Latin American and Caribbean countries from defaulting on foreign loans
Economic stability in these areas  prevent European involvement
EX: Nicaragua faced bankruptcy
US gave $ to pay back loans and US bankers took control of gov’t owned railroads and national bank
Nicaragua rebelled  US squashed it with troops
US – Latin American tension increased

15. Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy
Wilson POTUS – believed the US had a moral obligation to support democracy and stop oppressive gov’ts
Wilson’s Moral (aka Missionary) Diplomacy – the US had a moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government it viewed as oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to US interests
Before Wilson, the US recognized any gov’t regardless of the nation’s policies or how the leaders rose to power  Wilson wanted to pressure nations in the western hemisphere to be democratic and support US interests
Would use military force if provoked

16. Moral Diplomacy and Mexico
1911 – Mexicans overthrew dictator Porfirio Diaz  Francisco Madero in power promising to institute reforms
1913 – General Victoriano Huerta executed Madero and took control of gov’t  Wilson refused to recognize gov’t – “gov’t of butchers”
1914 – American sailors arrested off Mexican coast, Mexico apologized  Wilson’s excuse for military intervention, sent Marines to occupy Mexican port Veracruz  brink of war with Mexico
Huerta regime collapsed before war could ensue, Venustanio Carranza became president  Wilson recognized the Carranza gov’t

17. Moral Diplomacy and Mexico
Not all Mexicans pleased with Carranza – rebels led by Francisco “Pancho” Villa and Emiliano Zapata, threatened action against US for recognizing Carranza gov’t
Americans killed in Mexico at hands of Villa supporters, Villa blamed by US  Wilson sent troops to Mexican border
15,000 troops under Brigadier General John J. Pershing into Mexico to find Villa
150,000 National Guardsmen at border
US troops retreated in 1917 (after clashes with Mexican troops) as US entered World War I
Roosevelt vs. Wilson Foreign Policies

18. US Imperialist Attitudes in the 20th Century
Expand access to foreign markets to ensure continued economic growth and power
Build a strong military, especially Navy, to protect the US as well as economic interests
Ethnocentrism, US culturally superior to “uncivilized” countries
US acts as an international police power to ensure dominance in Latin America