America Creates an Empire Imperialism America Creates an Empire

Imperialism Defined US extending its power economically, politically, and militarily over other nations

How? Economically-U.S. needs raw materials to produce goods and they need markets to sell them in. Militarily-U.S. needs a strong Navy to protect shipping lanes (trade routes) and bases for ships to refuel and re-supply Politically-U.S. needs to spread democracy Ethnocentrism-Some people argued that the US had the responsibility to spread Christianity to non-and civilization to the world’s inferior people (cultural superiority)

American Ideology and Imperialism Capitalism leads directly to imperialism

Why? Exporting goods is most important Intervention in other country’s affairs is permitted to keep markets open U.S. survival is threatened if foreign markets are closed

Spanish-American War 1898 Fought over Cuba because Cuba was politically and economically unstable.

Why do we care? The US had millions of dollars invested in Cuba’s sugar market. Cubans were dependent on US for a stable economy.

What Happened? b. Under Spanish rule, Cubans had a history of rebellion. As resentment towards Spain grew, the threat of war escalated.

Steps towards Revolution i. Jose Marti-launched a revolution in 1895. To provoke American intervention he deliberately destroyed American property including sugar mills and plantations ii. Valeriano Weyler-Spanish General sent to calm the resistance. He moved Cubans into concentration camps where over 300,000 Cubans died of starvation and disease.

Steps cont’d. iii. Yellow Journalism-reporting that exaggerates the news to attract readers; uses sensational headlines and photos. 1. reports of “the butcher” (Weyler) killing innocent children deepened American Sympathy for the Cuban revolt.

Yellow Journalism – Media War Media circulation war between Joseph Pulitzer, and William Randolph Hearst, two new York paper owners Copied each others sensationalist style – tried to out do each other

Steps cont’d. 1. Americans become angry with Spain De Lome Letter-President McKinley tried to work things out diplomatically with Spain. All was fine until a letter, written by the Spanish Minister (De Lome), was leaked to the press by a Cuban rebel. The letter criticized the President. 1. Americans become angry with Spain

vi. USS Maine-Sent to protect American interests in Cuba The Last Step vi. USS Maine-Sent to protect American interests in Cuba 1. It explodes killing 260 Americans 2. The press blamed Spain

Steps cont’d. v. Battle of San Juan Hill 1. The Rough Riders under the command of Theodore Roosevelt charged up San Juan Hill and took it (with the help of the black Night and Tenth Calvaries who opened the way)

The War vii. “A Spledid Little War” 1. Public opinion favored the war 2. Lasted 16 weeks (4 months) 3. 5400 Americans lost their lives-only 385 of those were killed in action 4. African American troops were not recognized

Ending the War viii. Treaty of Paris 1. Cuba became independent (Spain no longer controls) a. Platt Amendment-limited foreign interaction and gave US the right to a naval base in Cuba and the power to send troops to keep order

End of War Concessions 2. US gained Puerto Rico and Guam as territories 3. US annexed the Philippines a. Paid $20 million to Spain to have control of Philippine Islands-100,000 square miles and 10 million people b. Islands would remain independent; however, US would appoint a Governor 4. America had an empire

IV. Land Seized by America A. Hawaii (1898) a. Pearl Harbor-used as a naval base and refueling station B. Puerto Rico and Guam (1898) C. Panama Canal (1904-1914) a. Yellow fever, malaria and the bubonic plague were all common diseases workers contracted b. It took 9 years to clear the brush and drain the swamps c. 43,000 workers employed d. 5,600 died from accidents and disease e. Cost to the US government = $380 million

V. China A. “Open Door” policy with China-no single nation could have a monopoly on trade with China, nations reluctantly agreed to abide by this policy

What Happened? 1. China was and is considered a vast opportunity for America businesses to export their goods. 2. Boxer Rebellion-secret society in China that existed to expunge foreign devils from the land