SOL 9a Essential Questions  Why did the United States abandon its traditional isolationist foreign policy?  How did the United States expand its influence in the world?

What is imperialism?  The policy of stronger nations CONQUERING weaker nations in an effort to build an EMPIRE

What lands were being conquered?  AFRICA and Southeast ASIA  In the 1800’s Europe was colonizing Africa and Asia for land and resources. Americans began rethinking our place in the world not only for resources, but also for nationalistic and military reasons. American businessmen with the help of American politicians tried to gain access to foreign markets in several ways. Competition for colonies in these areas will eventually lead to the Great War (WWI)

Reasons for Imperialism  Industrial Revolution- Technological developments create increased needs for NATURAL RESOURCES

Reasons for Imperialism  “White-man’s burden” & Manifest Destiny- Whites feel morally obligated to “CIVILIZE” native people groups

Reasons for Imperialism  Importance of SEA POWER – 1890: Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, in which he argued that the US needed to develop a stronger NAVY in order to be able to COMPETE against other rising world powers

Creation of international markets  Open Door Policy – Secretary of State John Hay proposed a policy that would give all nations equal trading rights in China.

Open Door Policy

Creation of international markets  Dollar Diplomacy President William Howard Taft expanded upon the Open Door Policy by calling for trade in Latin America – President Taft urged American banks and businesses to invest in Latin America. – He promised that the United States would step in if unrest threatened their investments.

Creation of international markets  Growth in international trade occurred from the late 1800s to World War I – The first era of a true “global economy”

YELLOW JOURNALISM

The De Lome Letter is Intercepted  Interception and publication of the De Lome letter, a letter from a Spanish Ambassador in the USA describing the American PRESIDENT as “dimwitted” and weak This letter, written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States, Enrique Dupuy de Lome, criticized American President William McKinley by calling him weak and concerned only with gaining the favor of the crowd. Publication of the letter helped generate public support for a war with Spain over the issue of independence for the Spanish colony of Cuba.

Purpose of the War  Cubans rebelled against from Spanish rule and Cubans living in the US tried to get the United States to support the revolution  Newspapers called for war using “yellow journalism” by exaggerating the horrors of the conditions in Cuba. Their stories aroused nationalism, a feeling of intense national pride and a desire for action.

EXPLOSION OF THE USS MAINE  250 Americans die in the EXPLOSION of the USS Maine, a battleship sent by the US to Cuba to protect U.S. property – While probably caused by an accidental fire, the AMERICAN PUBLIC blamed the Spanish and urged CONGRESS to declare war against Spain

 Rough Riders: Volunteers led by Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt who invaded CUBA to help liberate the Cubans

US Victory in the War  War ends in 3 ½ MONTHS with US victory over the Spanish

Gains from the Span-Am War – Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines were annexed by the United States. – The United States asserted the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. – The US became a World Power with it’s victory in the Spanish American War

Spanish American War

Latin America  Panama Canal and the role of Theodore Roosevelt – United States encouraged Panama’s independence from Colombia. – Parties negotiated a treaty to build the canal.

 American leaders realized the need for the Panama Canal after fighting the Spanish American War in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans  To acquire the land for the Canal, the US supported a revolution in Panama (broke away from Colombia).  The Panama Canal shortens the water route from New York City to San Francisco by almost 9,000 miles.

Asia and the Pacific  Hawaii needed to be a stop over point to the US as a fueling and repair station. The queen opposed US control so she was removed with the help of the marines. President McKinley proclaimed Hawaii a republic and said it was “manifest destiny” – The United States deposed Hawaii’s monarchy. – U.S. annexed of Hawaii.