AMERICAN IMPERIALISM CH.10 Imperialism – the policy in which strong nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weak nations.

Reasons for Imperializing By the 1850’s, America had extended its continental boundaries from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. (Manifest Destiny) (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848) By the late 1800’s Global competition caused the U.S. to expand overseas.

Reasons for Imperializing At the end of the 1800’s, the U.S. joins a global trend to acquire lands overseas. Nations of Europe had taken control of almost all of Africa. Japan was seizing control colonies in Asia. The U.S. competed with other nations to gain a trade foothold in China.

3 factors caused U.S. imperialism Economic competition for raw materials and markets for its manufactured goods Political and military competition based in part to create a powerful new Navy. A belief in the racial and cultural superiority of the people of England and their descendants – which led many Americans to believe that the U.S. had a mission to spread civilization and Christianity.

Many Americans thought imperialism was immoral and impractical. ($$)

1867 Alaska was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million. Members of Congress thought it was silly. (Icebox, “Seward’s folly”). Alaska was found to be rich in timber, minerals, gold, and oil. The total cost was about 2 cents an acre! (statehood 1959, 49TH)

Acquiring Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898. Hawaii became a stopping point for merchants headed to Asia. The US. Wanted to build a naval base in its best harbor, Pearl Harbor. Americans established successful sugar plantations. They were able change Hawaii’s constitution and control the government. 1893 Queen Liliuokalani came to power and tried to take control back for Hawaiians. The planters seized control with support from US marines. President Cleveland refused to annex, but his successor William McKinley, did. Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898. (statehood 1959,50th)

Queen Liliuokalani

Spanish American War U.S. had close trade ties with Cuba, who was a colony of Spain. 1895 Jose Marti leads a Cuban rebellion, which led to Spain putting 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps, where thousands died of disease and hunger. Americans are sympathetic to Cuba. 2 incidents propelled the U.S to war.

Spanish Concentration Camps for Cubans

2 reasons America goes to war with Spain The Spanish minister to the U.S. said that President McKinley was “weak” in a private letter, stolen by a rebel and sent to the newspapers. The U.S. battleship [U.S.S. Maine] mysteriously blew up in Havana Harbor. Newspapers blamed Spain (really, accident in ship)

U.S.S. Maine

Spanish American War April 30, 1898 - 1st battle was in the Spanish colony of the Philippines. Admiral George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet. The U.S. Army and Filipino rebels force Spain to surrender. In Cuba, the U.S. (ill-prepared) won decisive battles. Theodore Roosevelt (future president) received fame for leading a volunteer cavalry troop known as the “Rough Riders”. In 2 days the battle resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet and Spanish surrender in Cuba.

Spanish American War Fought on Two Islands

Ending the War Treaty of Paris Dec. 10, 1898: Spain grants Cuba independence, Spain cedes (gives) Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines ($20 million) to the U.S. The U.S. is granted privileges in the Cuban constitution, because American businesses wanted property protected. Platt Amendment (Cuba unhappy)

BIG STICK POLICY The U.S. then and now uses its “Big Stick” policy, which is to threaten countries with American military & naval power, to get what it wants.

WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES Filipino’s were upset that America did not grant them independence. The U.S. wanted: (1) to keep the Philippines as a strategic location for the Asian market. (China), and (2) exploit its resources, and (3) to spread Christianity to the natives. Emilio Aguinaldo led a 3 year rebellion (1889-1902), but failed against American power. [Independence 1946]

Open Door Policy European nations and Japan had forced China to give them valuable trade benefits (spheres of influence), which angered the U.S., Those nations became a threat to U.S. trade in China (largest population in the world, 400 million, U.S., 75 million). Secretary of State John Hay announced the Open Door Policy (China had no voice), which guarantees free trade in China for all nations, which increases Americas presence in Asia.

BOXER REBELLION Chinese citizens were upset with all the foreign influence and control in their country. A group of known as the Boxers (Chinese) began killing U.S. missionaries, and other western / foreigners in China (Boxer Rebellion). Western forces defeated the Boxers.

Russo-Japanese War 1904 Russia and Japan go to war (Russo-Japanese War) over controlling interests in Korea. Japan destroyed 2 Russian fleets and won land battles in Korea and Manchuria (China), but they run out of resources. Japanese officials ask Roosevelt to mediate peace, and he does in 1905. Japan kept interest in Korea, and Manchuria. (U.S. is able to keep China Open)

Acquiring the Panama Canal 1903 the U.S. helps Panama win independence from Columbia, in return, the U.S. assumed rights to create the Panama Canal. Between 1903-1913, 43,400 workers helped build. 5,600 died from disease or accident. A boat traveling from New York to San Francisco saves 7,872 miles by using the Panama Canal instead of going around Cape Horn. (Argentina)

In 1904 President Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary (addition) to the Monroe Doctrine (1823). The Monroe Doctrine threatened European nations that colonization of the western hemisphere (N.& S. America) would be viewed as an act of war. In addition, the U.S. would use force to intervene in Latin America, if there was disorder in a nation. The U.S. would have international police powers! (Latin America )

Dollar Diplomacy President Taft followed a policy of Dollar Diplomacy, which made U.S. government loans to foreign countries (Latin America), and business investments. This gave U.S. more territory, without using the military by earning high interest, foreclosing businesses, and taking most of the resources in Latin America, and keeping them impoverished.

The Great White Fleet From 1907 to 1909, 16 U.S. battleships circumnavigated (sailed around) the world. Roosevelt wanted to demonstrate the growing U.S. Naval power. The voyage made a special stop in Tokyo! (Japan had claimed the U.S. Navy to be weak)