US Imperialism
American Imperialism?
Why did the United States become an Imperial Power???
1. Commercial Interests
Commercial Interests
2. The Frontier Thesis
3. Sea Power
4. Social Darwinism
Intervention
“Hawaii for Hawaiians”
Cuba – Yellow Journalism
Spanish-American War Is attack on 1 ship provocation for war? Should the US gov protect private investments? Teller Amendment Platt Amendment
Conquest
Did citizenship follow the flag? Constitution has no provision for colonies Puerto Rico Foraker Acts - 1900 Congress is in complete control No citizenship or path to statehood (until 1917) No autonomy (until 1947) Philippines Military dictatorship under McArthur to Civilian government under Taft Insular Cases – 1901-03 Constitutional rights do not automatically extended to colonies and territorial possessions Hawaii Traditional territory with path to statehood
Roosevelt Corollary “Chronic wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general loosening of ties of civilized society, may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the western hemisphere, the adherence of the U.S. to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of international police power.” Over twenty interventions in next twenty years
United Fruit Company and the cycle of intervention U.S. forces become embroiled in the countries' internal political disputes the United States trained and funded a police force and military to maintain order sponsor an election intended to put into power a strong leader supportive of American interests Despotic rule Internal rebellion
“Big Stick” Diplomacy
Dollar Diplomacy
Moral Diplomacy
US intervention in Latin America: 1890-1920s