America’s Role in the World USII.6 Analyze the causes and course of America's growing role in world affairs from the Civil War to World War I. (H,E) USII.7 Explain the course and significance of President Wilson's wartime diplomacy, including his Fourteen Points, the League of Nations, and the failure of the Versailles treaty. (H)

Imperialism and America America had always been interested in expanding, by the late 1800’s America had expanded across the country to the Pacific. Americans also believed in Manifest Destiny; it was our destiny to expand and spread our way of life. Many Americans now wanted the U.S. to join the powers of Europe and elsewhere and establish imperial overseas colonies. Imperialism is when a stronger nation take control of a weaker one for military, political, or economic gain.

Imperialism and America Three factors fueled America’s imperialist desires: 1. Desire for military strength: The U.S. wanted to build up its navy to keep up with the rest of the world powers. 2. Thirst for new markets: We needed new places to sell our goods and products. 3. Belief in cultural superiority: We felt that it was our responsibility to spread our way of doing things. ( Politics, economics, religious beliefs)

The Spanish American War By the late 1800’s Spain was an empire in decline. However, Spain did still control areas in the Pacific and in our region or hemisphere. Spain controlled Cuba, Puerto Rico. The U.S. had always been interested in Cuba financially and for its location militarily. We also did not like the harsh treatment the Cubans suffered under Spanish rule.

Spanish American War Anti-Spanish sentiment was strong in t eh U.S. and in Cuba. In 1895 Cuban exile living in New York Jose Marti helped start a revolt. They waged a guerrilla campaign and attacked Spanish land holdings and also American land holdings such as sugar and tobacco plantations in an effort to draw in the U.S. Fueled by sensational newspapers articles or yellow journalism about the events in Cuba many Americans wanted the U.S. to intervene on Cuba’s behalf.

Tension Escalates In 1896 Spain sent in General Valeriano Wyler to crush the revolt, as a result he placed thousands of Cubans in concentration camps. U.S. newspapers seized on the brutality, further incensing the American public. In 1897 in a letter to U.S. President William McKinley, Spanish diplomat Enrique Dupuy de Lome, criticized President McKinley and the U.S. as weak. The U.S. responded by sending the U.S.S. Maine one of our prized battleships to Havana Harbor off of Cuba. In February of 1898 the U.S.S. Maine exploded killing 260 U.S. servicemen. Newspapers and people across the country demanded revenge and blamed Spain. The rallying cry became “remember the Maine.” President McKinley asked for and received a declaration of war against Spain on April 20, 1898.

The Fighting Begins / Ends In April of 1898 under the leadership of Naval Admiral George Dewey the U.S. attacked the Philippines, a Spanish colony in the Pacific. The U.S. quickly defeated the Spanish navy and troops with the help of Filipino rebel Emilio Aguinaldo. In Cuba, the U.S. forces under the leadership of Teddy Roosevelt and his volunteer “Rough Riders” defeated Spanish forces at San Juan Hill in July of On August , Spain surrendered, ending the fifteen week war. As a result of the Treaty of Paris signed by the two countries, the U.S. became a world power. The U.S. was granted the Philippines and Guam in the Pacific. The U.S. also gained control of Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. While many Americans celebrated our victory, some Americans questioned whether or not the U.S. should be annexing or taking over countries for our own benefit instead of granting them independence.

America as a World Power Our new found power status trusted the U.S. onto the world stage. Teddy Roosevelt's receives the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for negotiation an end to Russian Japanese War. Roosevelt sends warships to Columbia and helps support a revolt in Panama to build the Panama Canal. The canal, one of the greatest construction and engineering feats is built from Allows U.S. shipping and defense to become easier.

America as a World Power Roosevelt also issues the “ Roosevelt Corollary” adding on to the Monroe Doctrine of 1821, stating no foreign power shall establish itself in our hemisphere. “ Speak softly but carry a big stick” Meaning Roosevelt would use force to protect American interests. ( Naval Power) The U.S. uses “Dollar Diplomacy” to spread our influence. Dollar Diplomacy was when the U.S. would loan or provide money from the government or businesses to foreign countries in exchange for favorable treatment. The U.S. would threaten to not loan or give the money if the country did not cooperate.

America as a World Power The U.S. also used “ Missionary Diplomacy.” Meaning we felt it was our moral responsibility to take down or not support governments we felt were oppressive, undemocratic or not in the best interest of the U.S. As a result of our actions the U.S. achieves several foreign policy goals. 1. Expanded markets. 2. We built a modern navy to protect ourselves and our interests. 3. The U.S. was going to use its power to protect our interests in our hemisphere and the world.