US involvement in World Affairs

Monroe Doctrine Time of Peace in Europe Major powers try to reclaim land in the Americas US does not like this President Monroe says do not interfere with North America and we will not interfere with Europe

Panama Canal -France –France believed a canal would be easy to build after seeing the Suez Canal being built. –Columbia allowed them to build.

Panama Canal -Difficulties –Suez canal was basically a ditch through sand. (no real problems) Panama Canal –Mountains –Many rivers in the way –Most serious problem Tropical Disease -Malaria -Yellow Fever

Panama Canal U.S. interest in Canal –Many people move to West Coast –Canal makes for faster trip. –America realizes canal would be helpful in time of war (Spanish American War)

Panama Canal -US involvement in building canal –France can not over come difficulties –France allows US to take control of land to build canal –Colombia will not let U.S. build –America convinces Panama to declare independence

Panama Canal -Panama declares Independence –US supplies money and ships –Panama promises to let U.S. build canal if freedom is won.

Panama Canal US builds canal –U.S. has same problem France had –U.S. fights on and completes canal

Panama Canal Results –Faster way to get to east coast –Saves money –Open October 10, 1913 –Cost $375,000,000 –75,000 worked on canal –5,609 died

Spanish American War Spain controlled Cuba US always had interest in Cuba (90 miles from Florida) Spain would not sale Cuba to US

Spanish American War Cubans revolt against Spain. Does not work –Valeriano Weyler sent to put revolt down –Locked 300,000 in concentration camps

Spanish American War Yellow Journalism –William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer print exaggerated stories –Claimed Weyler poisoned drinking wells. –Many believe the stories –Stories were made up to sale papers.

Spanish American War William McKinley –Demands America to intervene –Diplomats were sent and tension diminished

Spanish American War A Cuban stole a letter written by Enrique Dupuy de Lome (Spanish minister to U.S.) Letter said McKinley was weak Letter was published in newspapers and de Lome resigned and Spain apologized.

Spanish American War U.S.S. Maine –Resentment builds after the de Lome letter. –U.S.S. Maine is ordered to Cuba to bring Americans back –Ship blows up in Havana Harbor –260 men were killed. –Yellow Journalism makes it look like Spain did it –People call for war.

Spanish American War War begins –Starts in the Philippines George Dewey commands Navy and orders U.S. to open fire Within a couple hours every Spanish ship is sunk

Spanish American War Caribbean –Starts with a blockade of Cuba –Navy was good but soldiers were not Inexperienced Lack of leadership

Spanish American War Rough Riders –Volunteer cavalry led by Theodore Roosevelt –Gave some experience to the troops –They cleared the way for infantry to take San Juan Hill –Spanish fleet tried to escape however it was destroyed by US navy in the process.

Spanish American War Treaty of Paris –Ends the war –Spain freed Cuba –Guam and Puerto Rico turned over to U.S. –Philippines sold to US for $20 million