America Becomes an Imperialist Power

Acquisition of Alaska “SEWARD’S FOLLY” Russia had sought to sell Alaska several times due to it being unexplored and hard to defend Secretary of State William Seward agreed to purchase Alaska for $7.2 million The acquisition of Alaska became known as “SEWARD’S FOLLY” The discovery of gold in Alaska in the 1890s gave credence to Jingoists that expansion could be beneficial in unknown ways

Annexation of Hawaii Pacific Expansion Jingoists: Americans that favored expansion Mid-1890s arguments nearly led to war with Chile later Great Britain TR: “I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one.” U.S. business interests, led by Sanford B. Dole, led revolution to end Queen Lili’uokalani’s reign (she began taxing U.S. sugar companies, dropping revenue 40%) U.S. rep. to Hawaii: “The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and this is the golden hour for the United States to pluck it.”

The annexation of Hawaii sparked the debate of the ethics of the world’s democracy and symbol of freedom acquiring new lands. How did the Jingoists justify American expansion?

Jingoism Desire for increased markets Competition with Europe Emergence of U.S. as a military power

Imperialist America Spanish-American War Circulation feud between Hearst’s Journal & Pulitzer’s World led to exploitation of Cuban crisis

Explosion of the USS Maine Mysterious explosion in boiler room caused the sinking of the Maine in San Juan Harbor 266 crewmen died Uproar led to near immediate declaration of war against Spain

William Randolph Hearst’s newspaper

Rebuilding the Military Following the Civil War and Reconstruction, the U.S. greatly reduced its military size, most of its troups were stationed in the West Admiral Dewey attacked Manila Bay & destroyed or captured all 10 Spanish ships there (381 Spanish dead, 1 American) Only 1 land action, El Caney Hill & San Juan Hill Although the U.S. military was small compared to many European rivals, it quickly developed a formidable navy and army based mostly on volunteers

Spanish-American War Results John Hay called the action “a splendid little war” Casualty totals: 379 died in battle; over 5,000 died from illness & disease Spain surrendered: U.S. received: Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico, & Guam Spain received: $20 million **Cuba was granted limited independence (Platt Amendment, 1902) **The Philippines later (following armed unrest— 4,000 Americans died putting down the revolt; independence granted in 1946)

Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders” After the San Juan hill battle

Rudyard Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden” Take up the White Man's burden-- Send forth the best ye breed-- Go, bind your sons to exile To serve your captives' need; To wait, in heavy harness, On fluttered folk and wild-- Your new-caught sullen peoples, Half devil and half child. Take up the White Man's burden! Have done with childish days-- The lightly-proffered laurel, The easy ungrudged praise: Comes now, to search your manhood Through all the thankless years, Cold, edged with dear-bought wisdom, The judgment of your peers.

Spoils of War and the White Man’s Burden Jingoists (expansionists) touted the addition of the Philippines, Guam, Cuba, and Puerto Rico as the future and present success of America’s new prominence as a world power Guam and Puerto Rico are still possessions of the U.S. today Cuba and the Philippines would eventually gain independence, although with strings attached Guantanamo Bay and several bases in the Philippines

"I have been criticized a good deal about the Philippines," McKinley said, "but I don't deserve it. The truth is . . . they came to us as a gift from the gods." "Congratulations," Carnegie wrote to a jingoist. "You seem to have about finished your work of civilizing the Filipinos. It is thought that about eight thousand of them have been completely civilized and sent to heaven. I hope you like it."

Between 1898-1901, 68 motion pictures were created depicting the Spanish-American War, making it the first to be captured on moving film. Most of the films were produced by the Edison Manufacturing Company and utilized actual parades, figures, and even re-enactments of battles in Cuba as well as the subsequent revolution in the Philippines.

Albert Beveridge (Sen.-IN): “American factories are making more than the American people can use; American soil is producing more than they can consume. Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world must and shall be ours.” What is the motivation for this quote by an American leader and jingoist?

China’s Open Door Britain, Russia, & Germany were forcing trade treaties on China (U.S. wanted RR & trade opportunities as well) John Hay Boxer Rebellion

The Banana Republics Term for weak nations that had: Weak economies focused on 1 export Weak self-elected governments that had poor land distribution and civil unrest and equality Who controlled these Central American nations at the turn of the century? The United Fruit Company gained access to the plutocracies of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador in the late 1890s

Roosevelt Corollary (1904) to the Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Panama Canal France attempted canal (10 years & $400 million later they gave up) TR trumped Colombia

Construction began in 1906, first ship passed through in 1914 Panama Canal, 1915 Construction began in 1906, first ship passed through in 1914 U.S. later paid Columbia $25 million (99-year lease with Panama expired in 2002)

TR’s Foreign Policy Big Stick Diplomacy ‘speak softly and carry a big stick’ TR’s Foreign Policy

Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy ‘Create political and economic stability in foreign lands through U.S. wealth and power in order to create commercial opportunities for American businesses.’ Haiti, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua