IMPERIALISM: SEEKING OVERSEAS TERRITORIES AND TRYING TO EXPAND ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, AND SOCIAL CONTROL OVER THEM
Why imperialize? Raw materials New markets Economic advantages Political power worldwide Feeling of cultural superiority and desire to spread own ideas Keeping up with other superpowers
Why NOT imperialize? Costs money to defend colonies Could lead us into wars Native people hate us Goes against our Constitution
Josiah Strong: we need new places to expand—let’s look overseas!
Alfred T. Mahan: we need naval bases!
HAWAII Good soil Along trade routes American sugar plantation owners help overthrow Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 Annexed by US in 1898; state in 1959
Spanish-American War, aka “the splendid little war,” 1898
Reasons for war with Spain
Sinking of the Maine
De Lome letter
Yellow journalism
Concentration camps set up by General Valeriano Weyler
Poetry of Jose Marti, from Cuba
Fighting in Philippines (Manila Bay) under Dewey
Fighting in Cuba (San Juan Hill) Roosevelt’s Rough Riders
Fighting also took place in Puerto Rico
When war ends: Spain loses badly Cuba gains independence from Spain US acquires Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines (for $20 million)
US RELATIONS WITH FIVE NATIONS
PHILIPPINES
KEY INFORMATION Emilio Aguinaldo had led forces against Spain before US got involved, but US wants control once war is over Anti-Imperialist League formed in US by those against annexation Despite protests, annexed in 1899 Filipinos fight back for 3 brutal years, rebellion crushed Some self-rule by 1916, independence in 1946
CUBA
KEY INFORMATION Teller Amendment: we promise to help Cuba get independence from Spain Platt Amendment: we refuse to leave unless Cuba agrees to our terms: we can intervene, set up naval bases, i. e Guantanamo Bay Gained protectorate status Increased trade in early 1900s Today: Cuba is communist since 1959, we have embargo (no trade)
PUERTO RICO
KEY INFORMATION First ruled by US as a territory Intervention in government, then gradual self-government by 1917 Became commonwealth in 1952 Puerto Ricans are US citizens, but still maintain some independence
CHINA
KEY INFORMATION Spheres of influence in China had given control of different areas to European countries US proposes Open Door policy where all nations have trade access Chinese resent foreign interference Boxer Rebellion as protest; fails Today: most of our stuff is made in China!
PANAMA
KEY INFORMATION France tries to build canal to cut time between oceans; fails US tries to make deal for canal land with Colombia Colombia wants more money US helps Panama get independence from Colombia and makes deal with Panama Dr. Gorgas—helps stop malaria from killing workers (mosquitoes, standing water) Built 1904-1914 Today: control of canal returned to Panama in 2000
IMPERIALISM—GOOD OR BAD?