America Claims an Empire “Americans learn only from catastrophe and not from experience.” – Theodore Roosevelt
What is Imperialism? Policy in which a stronger nation extends it’s economic, military, and political control over weaker countries or territories.
Three factors that led to American Imperialism Economic Competition Military and Political Competition Racial Superiority of Anglo-Saxon descent
Economic Objective of Imperialism Favorable Balance of Trade - Exporting more than you import The reason America was looking for new world markets, RAW MATERIALS. America achieves this and becomes a world economic power
William H. Seward Served as Secretary of State ( ) Achieved more than any other Secretary of State since John Quincy Adams Helped keep Britain and France from entering the Civil War on the side of the South
Purchase of Alaska Alaska had always been a dispute between Great Britain and Russia Purchased from Russia for $7.2 million Known as, “Seward’s Folly” and “Seward’s Icebox”
New Imperialism Imperialism - acquiring new land or controlling the political and economic life of a country As the U.S. began to grow in industry, foreign involvement became very important. Why? 1.Worldwide markets for agricultural and industrial surpluses 2.Sources for raw materials
Annexation of Hawaii U.S. annexes Hawaii in 1898 Sanford Dole first Pres./Gov. Americans owned sugar plantations there The U.S. had built a naval station at Pearl Harbor
What was so important about the naval base at Hawaii? U.S. needed a fueling station for ships to reach Asian ports and ports in the South Pacific
Yellow Journalism Exaggerated reporting to lure readers Used by American papers to help bring a “war spirit” to Americans against Spain (Weyler, De Lome, and the Maine)
General Valeriano Weyler Spain sends Weyler to Cuba to restore order after a revolution led by Jose Marti Moved thousands of Cubans into concentration camps where many civilians died from starvation
De Lome Letter McKinley wanted to avoid war with Spain Uses diplomatic means to resolve crisis in Cuba with Spain Weyler leaves and Cuba is granted a limited government A letter from Spanish prime minister De Lome, criticizes McKinley as being weak and a cheap politician, was printed in American newspapers Used as Propaganda
“To Hell With Spain, Remember the Maine!” In 1898, an American ship anchored in Havana harbor suddenly exploded 260 of the 350 sailors were killed “Yellow journalists” blamed the Spanish for the explosion It was later determined to be an accident
War Breaks Out On April 20, 1898, the U.S. declares war on Spain to help free Cuba First battle takes place in the Philippines George Dewey takes American navy into Manila Bay Spanish navy is defeated Spain loses 381 men while the U.S. loses 1
Focus of War is Cuba U.S. blockades Cuba U.S. invades Cuba to drive out Spain U.S. Army is small and very inexperienced, mainly volunteers 17,000 troops are involved in Cuba
The “Rough Riders”
Voluntary cavalry unit which was led by Teddy Roosevelt and Leonard Wood Most famous for their attack on Kettle hill which cleared the way for the taking of San Juan Hill
Treaty of Paris (1898) Cuba would become independent Spain would give Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States The United States would pay Spain $20 million for the annexation of the Philippines
President Theodore Roosevelt Became president in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley. –Known for trust busting, programs for conservation of natural resources and creation of national parks (Yellowstone)
Platt Amendment (1901) Added to the Cuban constitution at request of U.S. 1.Cuba could sign no treaties to limit her independence 2.U.S. could intervene to preserve Cuban independence 3.Cuba could accumulate no debt 4.U.S. would maintain a naval base in Cuba Platt Amendment makes Cuba a protectorate of the United States A protectorate is a country who’s affairs a partially controlled by a stronger nation
Panama Canal Roosevelt felt we needed a canal through Central America to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Panama was selected because we supported their independence from Columbia U.S. purchases a 10 mile wide canal zone Canal takes 10 years to build, $400 million, and 5600 lives
Roosevelt Corollary Roosevelt’s theory on foreign policy Extension to the Monroe Doctrine Primary focus was Latin America Stated, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Also known as Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” policy
What Next???? Through imperialism, America had accomplished it’s goals for the beginning of the 20 th century. America was pushed deeper into world affairs and it would lead to the most destructive war anyone had ever experienced… World War I