U.S. Imperialism 4.6 Notes

Purchase of Alaska (1867) Looking to open trade in the Pacific, Secretary of State, William Seward bought Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million (2 cents an acre). The Russians were happy to be rid of the land because it was too far from the motherland to govern effectively. Most Americans believed it was a waste of money, but Southern Alaska proved to be good farmland and full of natural resources like timber, copper, petroleum, and natural gas.

Seward’s Folly

Annexation of Hawaii (1898) During the 1800s, American ships headed to China would stop at Hawaii. Several Americans decided to settle there. The Americans helped the King write their first constitution. American sugar planters in Hawaii became very rich and powerful, and forced a new constitution, enforcing their strength. When the Hawaiian King died, his sister, Liliuokalani took power and tried to limit their power. Marines came and forced the queen to give up her throne. Planters quickly set up a republic and requested to be annexed.

Annexation of Hawaii

Samoa (1889) As naval power grew in importance, the U.S., Britain, and Germany looked to Samoa for a naval base in the Pacific. German ships fired upon Samoan villages that were friendly to Americans. Both Germany and the U.S. placed war ships in Samoa. Just before fighting began a storm sank both ships. The U.S. and Germany made an agreement dividing Samoa between them. The Samoan people had little say in the matter.

Samoa

Open Door Move (1899) During the late 1800s, European countries already had a trade deal called a sphere of influence with China. A sphere of influence was an area where a nation made it’s own laws for citizens in their own spheres. Fearing Europeans would push to have America cut out of trade in China, John Hay, Secretary of State proposed the open door policy. This would allow any nation to trade in the spheres of others.

Open Door Move

Spanish-American War (1898) In 1895, a Spanish controlled Cuba underwent a rebellion. The rebels won much of the island. They burned sugar fields and mills, hoping to make the country unprofitable so Spain would release it. Instead, Spain set up detention camps where at least 100,000 people died from starvation and disease. The U.S. sent a battleship down to protect U.S. assets. Mysteriously The Maine, exploded destroying the ship and killing most of the crew. Hearing about the cruelty of the Spaniards in Cuba through yellow journalism, Americans blamed the Spanish.

Spanish-American War Cont… Congress declared war on Spain. Looking to destroy Spanish power, U.S. warships fired on Spanish forces in the Philippines (a Spanish controlled country). American troops were sent to Cuba, who crushed Spanish forces. America also set foot on Puerto Rico and claimed the island (another Spanish asset). A peace treaty was signed in Paris in December of Spain granted Cuba it’s freedom and gave Puerto Rico and Quam to the U.S. In return, the U.S. paid $20 million for the Philippines.

Spanish- America n War

Foraker Act (1900) The United States set up a new government in Puerto Rico, but limited Puerto Ricans say in their own affairs. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were made citizens of the U.S. Americans set up schools, improved healthcare, and built roads. Many Puerto Ricans still wished to be free of foreign rule.

Foraker Act

Filipino American War ( ) Americans and Filipinos fought side by side during the Spanish-American War. After the war, Filipinos expected their independence, but were sold to the U.S., feeling betrayed and still working toward their independence, the Filipino American War began. 4,000 Americans died, 20,000 Filipino soldiers died and 200,000 civilians died from shelling, famine and disease. In 1902, the U.S. set up a similar government to that of Puerto Rico, but the U.S. did not make them citizens because the U.S. planned to grant them independence in the future.

Filipino- American War

Platt Amendment (1901) After winning Cuba, the U.S. had to decide how to set up their rule. Before, the U.S. pledged to allow the Cubans to control their own government. And they kind of kept their word. The U.S. allowed Cuba to write their own constitution, however they had to accept the Platt Amendment, which allowed the United States to intervene in Cuba and gave the U.S. control of the naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Platt Amendment

Roosevelt Corollary (1902) In 1902, Venezuela underwent a civil war. During the war, European properties were damaged. These European countries sent warships to Venezuela to force them to pay to fix the damages. Roosevelt resented European intrusion in the Western hemisphere. He created the Roosevelt Corollary, an addition to the Monroe Doctrine, allowing the U.S. to intervene in Latin American affairs, such as forcing Venezuela to pay their debts.

Roosevelt Corollary

Panama Canal Build (1903) Before the Panama Canal, U.S. ships traveling from coast to coast had to travel all the way around South America (an extra 8,000 miles). At the time, Columbia controlled Panama. Roosevelt proposed a deal to Columbia offering $10 million plus $250,000 a year to rent a strip of land across Panama. They refused. Angered, Teddy Roosevelt sent an American warship to Panama. The next day, the people of Panama revolted against Columbia. With American troops, Panama declared it’s independence. Panama then agreed to allow the U.S. to build the canal under similar terms as before.

Panama Canal Build