“Just beat it” --Michael Jackson Intro to Imperialism “Just beat it” --Michael Jackson

Driving Forces of Imperialism Imperialism – forceful extension of a nation's authority over a territory through economic, political or military conquest Economic Benefit Military Power/Safety Moral Reasons Social/Cultural Expansion of the Frontier/Exploration

Expansion Frontier Thesis: created by Frederick Jackson Turner, with the closing of the American frontier in 1890 US needed new territories to explore

Military To keep up, America had to acquire colonies which required a powerful navy to protect its overseas colonies Mahanism (1890) – Named after Alfred Mahan, U.S. Naval officer, who argued that naval power was the key to success in international politics U.S. borders two oceans (Atlantic and Pacific) therefore needed two naval fleets Naval arms race developed between Europe and the US

Social/Cultural Social Darwinism –strong nations advanced, weak nations fall America and Europe used this theory to say their advanced technology was a sign of superiority over weaker people and nations “White Man’s Burden” – a common belief that it was the moral responsibility of advanced nations to civilize primitive people (people of color)

MO’ LAND, MO’ PROBLEMZ Japan (1853) – Commodore Matthew Perry forced Japan out of a 200-year isolation from the world  opened up Japan and Asia for trade Alaska (1867) – acquired by Secretary of State Seward, the United States purchased Alaska from the Russia Hawaii – since the mid-1800s, American planters had established sugarcane plantations in Hawaii 1891 – Queen Liliuokalani requests that the U.S. annex them,  President Cleveland opposed imperialism so refused 1898 – President McKinley annexes Hawaii  wants to build a military base at Pearl Harbor

Cuban Revolution Cuban Revolution (1895) –Spanish- owned Cuba launched a revolution against Spain In response, Spain began rounding up civilians in rural areas (nearly 300,000) into reconcentration camps to keep a close eye on them  thousands die from disease or malnutrition Teller Amendment: US would not establish permanent control over Cuba Succeeded by Platt Amendment which gave US the right to intervene in all Cuban affairs

Yellow Journalism Use of sensationalized and exaggerated reporting used attract readers Journalist William Randolph Hearst competed heavily with Joseph Pulitzer for newspaper ratings Stories of the reconcentration camps spread quickly thanks to newspapers, turning public opinion against Spain

Reasons for War with Spain Yellow Journalism – stirred the pot U.S.S. Maine (Feb. 1898) – President McKinley sent the battleship to Havana harbor to protect American interests and prevent other nations from taking the island it explodes 3 weeks after arriving killing 260 men Press blames Spanish

Spanish American War (Apr-Aug 1898) War in the Pacific Within a few hours, US engages the Spanish fleet in the Philippines and takes over the Philippines without losing a man!  Guam is also seized

War in the Caribbean Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt called the “Rough Riders” helped capture this important Spanish stronghold in Cuba Spanish fleet is defeated  U.S. occupied nearby Puerto Rico a few weeks later

End of the War Treaty of Paris 1898 – Ended the war and gave US Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Cuba remained under American military occupation After defeating the Spanish, the United States became a world power.