The Clash Between Idealism and Self-Interest

Early Expansion City on a Hill, Monroe Doctrine, exceptionalism, manifest destiny, Frederick Jackson Turner Louisiana Purchase- 1803 War of 1812 Taking Indian Land Seward- “commanding sway in the world”/ Seward’s folly- Alaska Hawaii- sugar interests overthrow Queen- 1891 (Planters stage coup. Seek annexation from Harrison. Cleveland opposed. War of 1898 allowed annexation

Early Expansion Berlin Conference- 1884 Expansionism- 1890’s motivated by profit, piety, politics, patriotism Profit Access to markets (mercantilism) America’s largest corporations supported foreign aggression (United Fruit, Alcoa Aluminum, Du Pont, etc.

Piety Rationalism was racism, ethnocentrism, morally exceptional Josiah Strong- “Our Country”- US is divinely commissioned to protect and spread liberty. White Man’s Burden “missionaries” sent to China

Patriotism Nationalism Teddy Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge Mahan- naval power is key/look outward/canals/colonies in Pacific

Politics McKinley under pressure Press/ public pressure for international action

War in Cuba Cuba revolts against Spain in 1895 Lome (Spanish minister) letter called McKinley “weak” Battleship Maine sent to Havana to protect American citizens “Remember the Maine” Public outcry made it hard for McKinley to avoid war Roosevelt (sec of navy tries to orchestrate war) Teller Amendment- 1898-the US had no intention of annexing Cuba Platt Amendment- 1901- US obtained economic rights in Cuba, Guantanamo Bay, and the right to intervene in Cuban politics Sugar

Spanish American War “Splendid little war” Roosevelt uses war to expand his political ambitions and nationalism Guam/Puerto Rico Phillipines- “Benevolent assimilation” – fought Filipino resistance until 1902

Anti-Imperialism League Opposed war and annexation Very little influence Carnegie Harrison Cleveland Gompers “The blare of the bugle drowned out the voice of the reformer.” 7,000 islands (20 million people) Bryan ran as anti-imperialist in 1900 Insular Cases of 1901- people in territories do not have Constitutional rights

Roosevelt 1901-1909

Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy “speak softly and carry a big stick” Noble peace prize in 1906- ending the Russo-Japanese War Avoid war with other “civilized” nations Police “uncivilized” nations Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine-1904- US intervention in Latin America justified to protect economic interests Resulted in multiple interventions and support of tyrannical regimes that protected US corporate interests

Panama Canal United States recognized Panama’s revolution from Columbia so that it could build the canal. Finished in 1914

Open Door Policy- 1899-1900 Open door for American trade Respect China Larger American role in Asia Boxer rebellion in 1900 (anti foreign and anti Christian movement in China) Put down by Marines

Japanese-Americans Came to California and farmed Gentleman’s Agreement- 1906-1908- Japanese limited immigration in exchange for repealing anti-Japanese laws in California 1908- Root Takahira agreement- Japan recognized in take over of Manchuria/ Hawaiian and Phillipine take over recognized

Dollar diplomacy Using money as tool, use economic power to influence other countries

European Policy Prevent war with Europe Maintain special relationship with Britain