America Turns Aggressive U.S. Foreign Policy 1898-1917

Spanish-American War U.S. had begun to produce more goods than Americans could consume Expansionists wanted foreign markets and new sources of raw materials

Spanish-American War Americans see parallels between their own revolution against England and the Cuban effort to rid itself of Spanish colonial control

U.S.S. Maine explodes in Havana Harbor

U.S. Imperialism Platt Amendment President McKinley declares war on Spain Following the war, the United States controlled: Cuba; Puerto Rico; Philippines Platt Amendment

Teddy Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy Called “Big Stick Policy” Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904)

“The diplomacy of the present administration has sought to respond to modern ideas of commercial intercourse. This policy has been characterized as substituting dollars for bullets.” - William H. Taft (1912)

Taft’s Foreign Policy Dollar Diplomacy Taft’s foreign policy, which was guided by foreign aid to countries in the Western Hemisphere Goal of diplomacy was to create stability abroad using American $$$ Through this stability, U.S. would promote American commercial interests

Wilson’s Foreign Policy Wilson’s foreign policy attempted to go back to American isolationism Ran for re-election on the slogan ‘He kept us out of war!”

Wilson’s “Isolationism” Wilson’s Intervention in Mexico: Occupation of Veracruz (1914) Border Campaign vs. Pancho Villa (1916)

WWI: Isolationism and Neutrality When war broke out in Europe between the two alliances, the U.S. chose neutrality because it was profitable. U.S. industry made ridiculous amounts of money shipping arms to both sides.

The Lusitania

The Lusitania Germans sunk 90 boats in the first months of 1915 May 1915: they sunk the passenger ship The Lusitania killing 1,198 people (128 Americans) Americans were outraged January 1917: Germany announced they would conduct unrestricted submarine warfare to prevent trade with Britain

Zimmerman Telegram

The Zimmerman Telegram Note from Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance if Mexico invaded the U.S. Intercepted by American intelligence Why does this help push the United States into war?

“The world must be made safe for democracy.” Wilson’s War Message “The world must be made safe for democracy.” Wilson claimed that this was the reason for America’s entrance into World War I. Is this true?