1872 - 1912 American Imperialism

American Imperialism Supported Shift in opinion World wide economic and military competition Cultural superiority  “Anglo Saxonism” Developing protectorate

Areas of American Expansion Pacific Commodore Matthew Perry takes naval fleet to Japan Trade negotiations are opened up with Japan US acquires the Samoan Islands US send the Marine Corp to help overthrow Hawaiian Queen Provisional government was set up and 5 years later the U.S. takes full control of Hawaii Latin America The United States wanted to world to know that if was in control of the Western Hemisphere Close economic and political relationship with many Latin American countries Organization of American States (OAS) was formed Spanish – American War led to acquisitions in the Caribbean

Spanish – American War Cuban Rebellion Begins Cuba declares independence from Spain Jose Marti help organize support from sympathetic Americans Helped purchases weapons and train troops United States and Cuba linked economically American investments in mines, railroads and SUGAR!

Spanish- American War Cuban rebels gained large support from Americans “Yellow Journalism” was responsible for support Sensational reporting, exaggerated or even made up stories William Randolph Hearst / Joseph Pulitzer competed to sell the most magazines While some stories were exaggerated and made up, the people of Cuba did suffer many atrocities at the hands of the Spanish Many Americans were calling for war

Spanish – American War: The Triggering Events The de Lome Letter Explosion of the USS Maine Enrique Dupuy de Lome, Spanish ambassador to the United States Wrote letter calling President McKinley weak in his negotiation with Spain Indicated that Spain was not completely honest with the United States Caused public outcry for action to be taken against Spain American battleship sent to Havana Harbor in Cuba Maine was sent to protect American lives and interest in Cuba Spain was blamed for the sinking of the USS Maine “Remember the Maine” battle cry of the United States public April 19, 1898 United States authorizes the use of forces against Spain, declares Cuba independent nation.

Spanish – American War: Two Front War Cuba - Caribbean Philippines - Pacific 17,000 troops sent to Cuba Among those troops was Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt was second in command of a unit called the “Rough Riders” “Rough Riders” were responsible for the capture of San Jaun United States also occupied the Spanish colony of Puerto Rico Commodore George Dewey leads squadron into Manila Bay, Philippine Decisive victory for the United States 20,000 troops assembled and sent to Philippines Armed forces seized the island of Guam on the way Taking control of Philippines would cause much debate back in the United States

Spanish – American War Comes to an End Treaty of Paris 1898 Cuba becomes and independent nation United States becomes a protectorate of Cuba (Platt Amendment) United States acquires Guam (Pacific) and Puerto Rico (Caribbean) United States pays $20 million to Spain for the Philippines

United States Imperialism and Cuba The United States wanted to acquire new territories with out looking like an imperialistic giant to the rest of the world Teller Amendment (passed before the Spanish American War) US would not annex Cuba, even if it won the war against Spain Platt Amendment (passed after the Spanish American War) Cuba becomes and independent nation but there are four conditions that are put into the new Cuban Constitution Cuba will not have the power to make treaty’s with any other nation United States will be allowed to build naval bases in Cuba Cuba will not be allowed to go into debt with any other nation United States can intervene at anytime to help keep Cuba independent

President Roosevelt and the New American Diplomacy Open Door Policy - All nations will have access to trade with China Great White Fleet - Modern U.S. Navy….traveled around the world to show off American strength Big Stick Diplomacy – “Walk softly but carry a big stick.” This idea was concerned with diplomacy in the Caribbean and Latin America Let the rest of the world know that the U.S. was in control of the Western Hemisphere Roosevelt Corollary This was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine United States would intervene in Latin American affairs when necessary to maintain economic and political stability in the Western Hemisphere

Roosevelt and the Panama Canal One of Roosevelt’s most dramatic actions Panama Canal was vital to the United States becoming a world power Canal would save both time and money for both commercial and military shipping United States had to support and Panamanian revolt against Columbia U.S. sent the Navy to support the revolution Panama gained its independence in less than 2 weeks with US help The new government in Panama quickly sold the canal rights to the United States