1. Chapter 27 Imperialism in the Americas
Section 4
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2. Imperialism in the Americas Overview
By 1898, much of the world had already been claimed—many lands claimed by European powers through imperialistic actions
The question is did America foster its own brand of through legal actions like the Monroe Doctrine
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3. Imperialism in the Americas
Main Idea: Latin Americans largely opposed the growth of American influence in their region
Terms to define: arbitration
People to meet: James Monroe, Jose Marti, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Benito Juarez, Porfirio Diaz, Emiliano Zapata, Francisco “Poncho” Villa, Venustiano Carranza, Woodrow Wilson
Places to locate: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Isthmus of Panama, Mexico
Theor
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4. Imperialism in the Americas The Monroe Doctrine
Even before the independence of all the Latin American countries was established, Spain had sought the support of other European Powers to reconquer its former colonies lost win they had fought for their independence
The U.S. and Britain opposed the plan; they didn’t want a European power so close—can you blame them
Great Britain had developed good trade relations with Latin American countries
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5. Imperialism in the Americas The Monroe Doctrine
Concern over the return of Spain to the Western Hemisphere, Britain suggest to the U.S. that they issue a joint warning to various European powers
U.S. decided to issue the statement itself
President James Monroe and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams made the decision
The statement warned other countries not to interfere in the countries of the Western Hemisphere
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6. Imperialism in the Americas The Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine contained two parts
“The American continents…are not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers”
“We should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety”
Although it was not sure what the U.S. would do, it seemed apparent that this statement considered it an act of aggression if European powers crossed the line
War was surely possible
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7. Imperialism in the Americas The Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was supported by the British—the British Royal Navy helped secure the admonishment (warning)
The Latin American countries were fledgling at the time
Question: Did the strong warning of the Monroe Doctrine mean that the U.S. was interfering with other countries or watching out for other countries in the hemisphere and being cautious with its own security?
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8. Imperialism in the Americas The Monroe Doctrine
The United States grew in strength during the 1800s and early 1900s
With increased strength, the U.S. made its power felt in Latin America
In 1895, Great Britain was in conflict with Venezuela over boundaries with British Guiana
The U.S. urged the dispute be submitted for arbitration by a third party
The U.S., referring to the Monroe Doctrine, insisted the British accept arbitration
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9. Imperialism in the Americas The Monroe Doctrine
The United States admonishes Great Britain (cont)
The British certainly felt the pressure and were aware of the growth of U.S. might
The British agreed to a peaceful settlement
Was the United States right to get tough with the British over this issue?
After helping Venezuela then, what is the attitude of Venezuela today towards the U.S.?
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10. Growing Involvement The Roosevelt Corollary
President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt issued the “corollary”
The U.S. would intervene to help compel the South American countries to pay their debts
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11. Imperialism in the Americas The Spanish-American War
After the Guiana dispute, the U.S. turned attention to Cuba
Both Cuba and Puerto Rico were still Spanish colonies in the late 1800s
Cuba important to Spain—lots of $ from tobacco and sugar plantations
The question would come up—should the U.S. help these two nations in its hemisphere
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12. Imperialism in the Americas The Spanish American War
Jose Marti, writer/political activist, led Cubans in revolt against the Spanish
The Spanish led a bloody attack on rebel forces
Marti was killed in battle
Spanish troops round up thousands of Cubans and send them to prison camps
Disease and starvation soon claimed 400,000 lives
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13. The Spanish-American War Remember the Maine
The struggle for the Cubans for freedom attracted much sympathy in the United States
American newspapers printed many stories about the cruelty to Cubans
Prominent Americans and business who had invested in Cuba began to clamor to help Cuba
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14. The Spanish-American War Remember the Maine
How to help the Cubans—
President William McKinley ordered the battleship Maine to Havana to demonstrate American interest in the fate of Cubans
An explosion sunk the Maine in the harbor, killing 260 American sailors
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15. The Spanish-American War Remember the Maine!
The cry “Remember the Maine!” swept across the United States
American newspapers pointed the finger at Spain for the disaster
In April 1898, President McKinley asked congress to declare war on Spain
The Spanish-American War lasted four months and ended in U.S. victory
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16. The Spanish-American War American Territorial Gains
In the late 1800s, the U.S. made significant territorial gains
1867: purchased Alaska from the Russians
1898: annexed Hawaii—American business people on the island overthrew the queen
From Spanish-American War: gained Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico
Although independent, Cuba was under American protection
1917: U.S. purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark: (St Thomas, St John, and St Croix)
After helping Cuba, what is our relationship with Cuba today?
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17. The Panama Canal
The winning of the Spanish-American War made the U.S. a world power
To project power, America needed better mobility and logistics
President Theodore Roosevelt took on the task of building the Panama Canal
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18. The Panama Canal
Roosevelt tried negotiating with Columbia to permit the U.S. to build a canal through the Isthmus of Panama—Columbia refused
Roosevelt outraged
Took matters into his own hands
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19. The Panama Canal
American agents encouraged the people of Panama to revolt against Columbia
They did: Nov 3, 1903
Helped by the U.S. Navy
Stopped Colombian troops from landing
The rebellion was over in one day and the U.S. got its treaty with Panama to build a canal
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20. The Panama Canal Construction of the canal began in 1904
Took 10 years to complete, 40,000 workers
Many died of Yellow Fever and Malaria
A sanitation program and control of the mosquitoes ended the disease problem
The first ship sailed through in 1914
The canal hailed as one of greatest world achievements
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21. The Roosevelt Corollary
The United States, through the Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt Corollary, mad it clear that it would intervene in Latin America
Mostly for payment of debts owed Europeans and others—why?
Stability and non-intervention
Democracy
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22. The Roosevelt Corollary
Many Latin American countries interpreted American actions as moves toward colonization and exploitation of business interests
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23. Mexico
Class reading---
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