1. U.S. Overseas Influence Unit 3: Notes #2 Mrs. Willis 10/30/12

2. U.S. in China In 1859 European powers such as Russia, France, Germany and Great Britain were carving out their own spheres of influence in China In 1859 European powers such as Russia, France, Germany and Great Britain were carving out their own spheres of influence in China A geographic area where an outside nation exerts special economic or political control A geographic area where an outside nation exerts special economic or political control

3. Open Door Policy American leaders feared that the U.S. would lose out on the valuable Chinese trade market American leaders feared that the U.S. would lose out on the valuable Chinese trade market In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay proposed the Open Door Policy In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay proposed the Open Door Policy This would give all nations equal trade rights in China This would give all nations equal trade rights in China The European countries did not agree to it nor reject it The European countries did not agree to it nor reject it In March 1900, Hay announced that it had been approved In March 1900, Hay announced that it had been approved

4. Foreign Influence in China Anti-foreigner sentiment was beginning to grow in China Anti-foreigner sentiment was beginning to grow in China The Boxers (secret Chinese group) began to attack foreign missionaries & Chinese Christians The Boxers (secret Chinese group) began to attack foreign missionaries & Chinese Christians In June 1900 the Boxers attacked the Chinese capital In June 1900 the Boxers attacked the Chinese capital This was known as the Boxer Rebellion This was known as the Boxer Rebellion Western nations sent troops to end the rebellion and protect their interests Western nations sent troops to end the rebellion and protect their interests The Boxer Rebellion helped to increase support for the Open Door Policy The Boxer Rebellion helped to increase support for the Open Door Policy Western nations realized that it was better to work together than against each other Western nations realized that it was better to work together than against each other

5. Cuban Rebellion in the News Since 1868 the Cubans had been launching a series of revolts against Spanish rule Since 1868 the Cubans had been launching a series of revolts against Spanish rule Many Americans were sympathetic to the Cubans cause Many Americans were sympathetic to the Cubans cause The NY Journal & NY World were popular newspapers in New York City in competition with one another The NY Journal & NY World were popular newspapers in New York City in competition with one another Both used a sensational style of reporting known as yellow journalism to exaggerate the news Both used a sensational style of reporting known as yellow journalism to exaggerate the news The newspapers reported on the Cuban rebellion, but w/ a biased point of view The newspapers reported on the Cuban rebellion, but w/ a biased point of view Clearly supporting the Cubans Clearly supporting the Cubans

6. Yellow Journalism in Action William Hearst, the publisher of the NY Journal, felt that the U.S. should intervene & support Cuba in their rebellion against Spain William Hearst, the publisher of the NY Journal, felt that the U.S. should intervene & support Cuba in their rebellion against Spain His goal was to print stories to create public support for the war His goal was to print stories to create public support for the war President William McKinley was reluctant to get involved President William McKinley was reluctant to get involved Hearst published a letter written by Spain’s minister to the U.S. where he criticized McKinley by calling him “weak & catering to the rabble” Hearst published a letter written by Spain’s minister to the U.S. where he criticized McKinley by calling him “weak & catering to the rabble” Americans were outraged & began demanding war w/ Spain Americans were outraged & began demanding war w/ Spain

7. US in Cuba The battleship USS Maine was sent to the Havana Harbor in Cuba to protect American lives & property The battleship USS Maine was sent to the Havana Harbor in Cuba to protect American lives & property On Feb. 15, 1898 the Maine mysteriously blew up killing 260 Americans soldiers On Feb. 15, 1898 the Maine mysteriously blew up killing 260 Americans soldiers The Journal immediately reported that Spain was responsible for the explosion w/out any proof At the time, an inquiry confirmed public speculation blaming the Spanish At the time, an inquiry confirmed public speculation blaming the Spanish

8. Start of War In late March, McKinley demanded Spain grant Cuba its independence In late March, McKinley demanded Spain grant Cuba its independence When Spain refused Congress declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898 When Spain refused Congress declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898 Historians now believe that the explosion on the Maine was caused by a fire in the coal storage room on the battleship Historians now believe that the explosion on the Maine was caused by a fire in the coal storage room on the battleship