Becoming a World Power Imperialism; stronger nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, and militarily.

European Imperialism Nationalism; devotion to one’s nation. Usually suggests that a nation’s people believe their ideals and goals are superior to those of other countries. European countries thought highly of themselves causing competition for large empires; Great Britain, France and Germany sought lands in Africa and Asia. “The sun does not set on the British Empire”.

Expanding U.S. Interests Early on the U.S. expanded it’s territory by annexing land in America, such as Texas and California Sec. of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia. Called “Seward’s Folly”, it became an investment in natural resources. In the Pacific- annexation of Midway Islands and eight years later a treaty was signed with Hawaii (to trade sugar with the U.S.)

U.S. Expansion Promoting Economic Growth - Find new markets for food and goods. Protecting American Security – Increase U.S. Navy to protect markets from foreign rivals. Preserving American Spirit – restore the country’s pioneer spirit. With expansion comes foreign conflicts.

The Spanish-American War Cuban rebels vs Spain. American journalism fueled American sympathy for the Cuban rebels. USS Maine sent to Cuba to protect Americans sank due to an explosion. Rebelling in Spain’s last remaining possession; the Phillipines. Final attempt of a peaceful solution failed. Remember the Maine became the rally cry.

A Splendid Little War Spring of Surprise attack on Spanish ships in Manila Bay destroyed Spain’s entire Pacific fleet. Spain’s fleet was bottled up in Santiago Harbor in Cuba Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders in a charge up San Juan Hill In an attempt to escape Santiago Harbor, U.S. sank every Spanish ship.

Treaty of Paris Signed with Spain in December 1898 Spain recognized Cuba’s independence For a payment of $20 million; Spain gave up the Phillipines, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific island of Guam to the United States, becoming unincorporated territories of the U.S. (not intended for statehood).

New Challenges After the War Phillipines proclaimed itself a republic, U.S. ignored it. Bitter 3 year war ensued killing 4 thousand Americans and 16 thousand Filipino’s. Fighting continued on/off for years till independence was gained in Cuban government agreed to the Platt Amendment; could not enter into any foreign agreements, U.S. to establish naval bases, U.S. right to intervene when necessary.

Other Gains in the Pacific Annexation of Hawaii in 1898 Year later U.S. acquired the Samoan harbor of Pago Pago Open Door Policy – equal access to China’s millions of consumers. Many European nations as well as Japan were interested in China. Policy met with a cool response from the other nations.

A New Foreign Policy: Panama Canal; Need for a shorter route b/w Pacific and Atlantic Oceans Make global shipping much faster and cheaper U.S. Navy could move quickly from one ocean to the other at time of war

Building of the Panama Canal Panama was a province of Columbia at that time. In 1879 a French Company bought a 25 year concession from Columbia to build a canal. Concession; a grant for a piece of land in exchange for a promise to use the land for a specific purpose. The French Company abandoned the project 10 years later due to disease and $$ misuse.

Spooner Act of 1902 Authorized the purchase of French assets Act required U.S. to work out a treaty with Columbia for a lease on the land. U.S. was unsuccessful with securing a treaty with Columbia; they wanted to wait for the concession to run out and offer the rights for more money. T.Roosevelt was outraged.

Roosevelt Intervenes John Hay sent word to the American minister in Columbia threatening Columbia if they did not consider Roosevelt went further in encouraging the French Company and Panama to organize a revolution against Columbia American warships waited off shore to support the rebels. U.S. recognized their independence and become protector.

Hay-Buanu-Varilla Treaty Gave the U.S. a permanent grant of 10 mile wide strip of land for a canal. U.S. has complete sovereignty U.S. paid Panama $10 million Construction began in 1904 and finished in 1914…6 months early and $23 million under budget. Congress pays Columbia $25 million after the death of Roosevelt.

Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy & Corollary Old African proverb “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”. The Big Stick was the U.S. Navy. Roosevelt’s Corollary; an international police power. U.S. government would intervene to prevent intervention from other powers. Interventions in Latin America became common.

Foreign Policy After Roosevelt T.R. had a forceful role in foreign affairs. Wm. Howard Taft was not as aggressive. Taft’s main goals; maintain an open door to Asia and preserve stability in Latin America. “substituting dollars for bullets” – maintain orderly societies abroad thru increased American investment in foreign economies (dollar diplomacy)

Woodrow Wilson Ended Taft’s dollar diplomacy Wilson felt that the U.S. should apply moral and legislatic standards to foreign policy and standards. Missionary diplomacy in Latin America; felt the U.S. had a mission to spread democracy and capitalism to other nations in the hemisphere and protect them from foreign threats.

Debating America’s New Role Anti-Imperialists Moral and Political Arguments Racial Arguments Economic Arguments Imperialism’s Appeal Imperialism Viewed from Abroad