World Power

military governor of Puerto Rico 1.U.S. As An Empire “They are still children, each one has a different idea and they don’t really know what they want.” General Guy Henry military governor of Puerto Rico -Alaska Seward’s Folly -Hawaii American planters organized the overthrow of the monarchy Good naval base in Pacific -Philippines War erupts over Philippine desire to be independent U.S. treats Filipinos same as Spanish William H. Taft first governor Becomes independent Nation after WWII -Puerto Rico became a territory of the U.S. and its people became citizens in 1917 Elect own legislature “You, citizens of a free fatherland, with its own laws, its own institutions, and its own flag, can appreciate the unhappiness of the small and solitary people that must await its laws from your authority…when you acquire the certainty that you can found in Puerto Rico a republic like that found in Cuba and Panama…give us our independence and you will stand before humanity as…a great creator of new nationalities and a great liberator of oppressed peoples.”

“How some apprehensive people picture Uncle Sam after the war.” A standard anti-imperialist argument: acquiring new territories meant acquiring new problems—in this case, the problem of “pacifying” and protecting the allegedly helpless inhabitants. From The News, Detroit, 1899 “Opening of the fishing season. Uncle Sam seems to be making a good catch!” Imperialist cartoon showing Uncle Sam as a great fisherman reeling in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippines. From The Journal, Minneapolis, 1898

2.Cuban Intervention -Teller Amendment guaranteed Cuban Independence Before Spanish-American War U.S. would not take over Cuba -Platt Amendment gives U.S. certain interests in Cuba naval base Cuba cannot make treaties to limit independence or allow other nations to take over U.S. may intervene in Cuba Cuba cannot go into debt The U.S. did not establish a permanent government in Cuba, but it did create a protectorate, a country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power, until Cuba was strong enough to be own its own in the world.

3.Interest in Asia Many consumers for US goods -Spheres of Influence in China Places in China influenced by foreign nations that claim special rights in that area -Open Door Policy Note John Hay Asked for access to China Asked to share trading in China among all countries -Russo-Japanese War Roosevelt is arbitrator US becomes an active world power

In 1904, Russia declared war on Japan In 1904, Russia declared war on Japan. Russia and Japan were both imperialist powers, and they were competing for control of Korea. The Japanese took first action in the war with a surprise attack on the Russian Pacific fleet. To everyone’s surprise, Japan destroyed it. Japan then proceeded to destroy a second fleet sent as reinforcement. Japan also won a series of land battles, securing Korea and Manchuria. As a result of these battles, Japan began to run out of men and money. Japanese officials then approached President Roosevelt in secret and asked him to mediate peace negotiations. Roosevelt agreed, and in 1905, Russian and Japanese delegates met in New Hampshire. Roosevelt persuaded Japan to accept half the islands they wanted and forgo the cash payment. In exchange, Russia agreed to let Japan take over Russian interests in Manchuria and Korea. The successful negotiations won Roosevelt the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize.

4.Panama Canal -Panama is part of Colombia -U.S. tries to negotiate a canal treaty US wants a shortcut between Atlantic and Pacific -Colombia refuses -Panama has a revolution backed by the U.S. U.S. sends warships to Panama U.S. buys canal project for $10 million, pays Panama $250,000 a year in rent In the late 1800s, a French company tried to build a canal in Panama. After ten years, the company gave up. It sent an agent to Washington to convince the U.S. to buy its claim. In 1903, Roosevelt and Congress agreed to buy the company’s route for $40 million. Before beginning work, the U.S. had to get permission from Colombia, which then ruled Panama. When these negotiations broke down, the U.S. organized and supported a Panamanian rebellion against Colombia. Fifteen days later, the U.S. and Panama entered into a contract to build the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal Controversy Although Roosevelt denied any role in planning the revolution that freed Panama from Colombia, he later said, “I took the canal zone and let Congress debate, and while the debate goes on the canal does also.”

4.Panama Canal -10 years of construction followed thousands died of accidents and disease to build the canal $380 million to build canal -Roosevelt’s Big Stick Foreign Policy Aggressiveness, use navy

“Speak softly and carry a big stick.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

As part of his “Big Stick Politics,” Teddy Roosevelt commissioned the Great White Fleet. The Great White Fleet was a United States Navy force that completed a circumnavigation of the world from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909. It consisted of four squadrons of four battleships each, with their escorts. Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power and navy capability to the United States and the rest of the world.

Teddy Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy 5.U.S. Foreign Policy Teddy Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy -Monroe Doctrine basis of U.S. policy Europeans keep out of the affairs of the Western Hemisphere -Roosevelt Corollary- Roosevelt’s addition to the Monroe Doctrine U.S. will be only nation to intervene (Big Stick Politics) U.S. will use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America Teddy Roosevelt argued that disorder in Latin America might “force the United States…to the exercise of an international police power” in order to protect US interests.

~Woodrow Wilson~ Moral Diplomacy 5.U.S. Foreign Policy -Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy U.S. will use financial policies to influence politics in Latin America U.S. government guarantees American loans to foreign nations Trade and stability in Latin Am. -Wilson’s Missionary Diplomacy U.S. refuses to negotiate with “illegal” governments Pressured Western Hemisphere to establish democracies “The force of America is the force of moral principle…there is nothing else that she loves…and there is nothing else for which she will contend.” ~Woodrow Wilson~ Moral Diplomacy

- Woodrow Wilson on Latin America, 1913 - 6.Impact of Imperialism -U.S. is now a world power -debate over the moral and ethical idea of imperialism Anti-Imperialist League Declaration of Independence -Anti-U.S. feelings surface around the world Philippines Latin America Mexico Pancho Villa Mexico taken over by a dictator and America will not support him Pancho Villa raids US settlements and kills many Many nations begin to distrust American “help” “We can have no sympathy with those who seek to seize power of government to advance their own personal interests or ambition. We are the friends of peace, but we know that there can be no lasting peace in such circumstances. As friends, therefore, we shall prefer those who act in the interest of peace and honor, who protect private rights, and respect the restraints of constitutional provisions.” - Woodrow Wilson on Latin America, 1913 -