American Foreign Policy A New Empire American Foreign Policy

Annexation and Empire Newly acquired land after the Spanish-American War: Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines Debate over American ideals of independence OR ruling a foreign country without the consent of its people Annexation- one country taking political, economic, or military control of another country

Annexation and Empire Pros- The Imperialists Cons- The Anti- Imperialists More markets for American goods Business opportunities Natural resources Military bases Help “less civilized” people “Free oppressed people” Cost of empire > economic benefits Cheap foreign labor drives down American wages= unemployment Imperialism violates American principles

Annexing the Philippines McKinley decides to take-over the Philippines Reasons: Pride- Giving them back to Spain would be cowardly and dishonorable Competition- Giving them over to another European power would be bad for business Superiority- The Filipinos are unfit to rule themselves No other choice but to take them, educate them, civilize them, and Christianize them

Filipino Response Philippine-American War-Filipino troops attack American soldiers, lasted for 3 years 4,300 American soldiers die 50,000-200,000 Filipinos die Americans set up reconcentration camps- Thousands die from disease or starvation Governor of the Philippines, William Howard Taft tries to improve education, roads, bridges, transportation, health care Philippines granted independence in 1946

Platt Amendment and Cuba Amendment to the Cuban Constitution Can’t make treaties with other nations that might weaken its independence U.S. can set up naval bases in Cuba Debts kept low to avoid European intervention U.S. can intervene to protect Cuban independence

Foraker Act and Puerto Rico Established government in Puerto Rico Puerto Rican government controlled by the U.S. but Puerto Ricans not U.S. citizens Debate over Puerto Rican statehood still debated today

Open Door Policy Sphere of Influence- area where a foreign nation controlled economic development U.S. interested in developing trade with Asian countries like China Open Door Policy All countries are allowed to trade with China Countries not allowed to interfere in the businesses of other countries

Panama Canal Theodore Roosevelt believed a strong military presence discouraged fighting=peace “Speak softly and carry a big stick” Needed a faster way to Asia Important for U.S. military power in the world Canal would save time and money for the military AND commercial/business shipments

Roosevelt Corollary U.S. concerned about European enforcement of debt repayment for Latin American countries. Ex. Venezuela Roosevelt Corollary added on to the Monroe Doctrine U.S. will intervene in Latin American countries to maintain economic and political stability in the Western Hemisphere Prevent Europe from using debt repayment as an excuse to get involved in Latin America Established the United States as an international “police power”

Dollar Diplomacy Constant U.S. intervention in Latin America to protect U.S. interests and investments Latin American countries begin to get fed up with American influence William Howard Taft shifts intervention emphasis from military to industry American businesses help Latin American businesses= everyone benefits U.S. Benefits: American businesses increase trade and profit Latin American Benefits- raise standard of living, help keep social order, bring wealth to the poor Replaced European loans with American loans to keep Europe out