The Rise of American Imperialism

An American Imperialist Alfred Thayer Mahan

United States Imperial Holdings

Spanish American War The Spanish American War, 1898 113 Day war against Spain “Splendid Little War” Began in Cuba Resulted in USA gaining Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippines Cuba independent, but under American supervision

Spanish American War Cuban Revolt and American public sympathy for Cuban rebels De Lome Letter Explosion of the USS Maine Yellow Journalism

Yellow Journalism Negative term used to describe the sensationalistic, exaggerated, scandal mongering papers and headlines Hearst New York Journal Pulitzer New York World

Rough Riders Teddy Roosevelt (before he became president) was a “Rough Rider” Voluntary Calvary in the Spanish-American War

US – Cuban Relations Teller Amendment 1898 – USA will not annex Cuba (make Cuba a state)–leaves Cuba in 1902 Platt Amendment – US has the right to intervene in Cuban affairs and impinges Cuban sovereignty

Open Door Notes China had been controlled by the “spheres of influence” (European countries controlled different areas of China). President McKinley wanted an “Open Door Policy” in China Meant that the US and other European countries could trade freely and equally within the country

“Seward’s Folly” Purchase of Alaska from Russia signed by Secretary of State William Seward  Critics of the deal to purchase Alaska called it "Seward's Folly” or “Seward's Icebox.“ Folly=mistake It actually was NOT a mistake—gold and oil were both discovered in Alaska ($$$$)

Hawaii In 1893 the United States TOOK Hawaii from their queen Group of men who did this were sugar and pineapple-growing businessmen, backed by the U.S. military Hawaii became a “protectorate” in 1898. Hawaii became a state in 1959.