Imperialism Day 7

American Expansion Imperialism – policy where stronger nations expend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.

American Expansionism Have always pushed to expand our country westward. By late 1880s, many leaders thought we should join European leaders gaining territories across the seas.

American Expansionism Africa and Asia were already being colonized by European and Japanese governments. Global Competition Desire for Military Strength Need for New Markets Belief in Cultural Superiority

Desire for Military Strength Alfred T. Mahan Admiral in the US Navy Urged building naval power to compete with other nations US constructed 9 modern steel battleships The Maine The Oregon Became world’s third largest naval power.

Desire for New Markets New technology allowing farms and factories to produce more than Americans consumed. Saw foreign trade as solution Overproduction Unemployment Economic Depression

Cultural Superiority Social Darwinism would prove Anglo-Saxons were the superior race. United States had a responsibility to spread Christianity and “civilization” to the world’s “inferior people.”

US Acquires Alaska William Seward Secretary of State 1867 arranged to buy Alaska from Russians for $7.2 million. Opponents called it “Seward’s folly”

Hawaii Hawaiian Islands were economically important to the US. Merchants stopped on their way to Asia Missionaries founded Christian schools and churches Missionaries became sugar planters

Pg 344

Hawaii Plantation owners imported laborers from Japan, Portugal, and China. McKinley Tariff of 1890 started charging tariff on Hawaiian sugar. White planters wanted US to annex Hawaii so they wouldn’t have to pay.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 1887 US built naval base Base was a re-fueling station for American ships.

End of Hawaiian Monarchy Business leaders organized a revolution to overthrow the Queen. Sanford B. Dole was appointed leader, but was not recognized by the US. 1898, Congress proclaimed Hawaii an American territory.

Imperialism and America Queen Liliuokalani Queen of Hawaii Reluctantly surrendered her monarchy.

Pg 345

Annexing Hawaii

Warm Up What were the 3 reasons the United States wanted to expand and become an imperial power. Briefly explain each. (Reasons for Imperialism)

The Spanish-American War Chapter 10 Section 2

Spanish-American War

Cubans Rebel Against Spain US held long interest in Cuba Spain refused to sell Cuba to the US America invested millions in sugar cane plantations.

War for Cuban Independence 1895 Revolution of Cuban rebels against Spanish rule American interest split Investors wanted to support Spain to protect investments Others supported the rebel cause “Cuba Libre!”

War Fever Escalates Spanish General Valeriano Weyler put over 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps. Yellow Journalism – sensational writing which exaggerates news to lure and enrage readers.

Yellow Journalism William Randolph Hearst Joseph Pulitzer New York Journal Joseph Pulitzer New York World Stories of poisoned wells and children being thrown to sharks

U.S.S. Maine Explodes U.S.S. Maine sent to Cuba to bring American Citizens home Feb. 1898 – ship blew up, 260 killed Reported as a conspiracy by Spain.

U.S.S. Maine Explodes

War with Spain April 1898 Congress declared war. 1st Battle was in the Philippines. “Remember the Maine!”

War in the Philippines Commodore George Dewey opened fire on Spanish fleet at Manila Destroyed entire fleet Had support of Filipinos who wanted freedom from Spain.

Pg 349

War in the Caribbean US blockade of Cuba sealed Spanish fleet in Cuba US superior in naval power Lacked strong army

Rough Riders Volunteer cavalry under command of Theodore Roosevelt. 2 African American regiments and the Rough Riders cleared way for infantry attack San Juan Hill. Roosevelt declared a hero in papers.

Treaty of Paris After destroying Spanish naval fleet in Cuba, cease-fire agreement April 12 – Treaty of Paris signed Spain freed Cuba Guam and Puerto Rico turned over to US Sold US Philippines for $20 million

Senate Approval February 6, 1899 Senate approved Treaty of Paris US Empire Guam Puerto Rico Philippines