Confronting Angst in Room 813 Chapter 10 Notes

Isolationism: What is It? Why Do It? For years and years, the United States followed a policy of isolationism The idea was that there was a big ocean (two if you count the Pacific) between the U.S. and the world powers so our best course of action was to leave them alone Let England, France, Germany, and others fight amongst themselves—we’ll grow our economy All that changes with the Age of Imperialism though As countries fight to gain more land around the world (especially in Africa), the U.S. wants to assert their power as well Their focus is on the Pacific Islands and Latin America Isolationism: What is It? Why Do It?

The Age of Empire Why colonize? Agriculture and Industry boomed so… Farmers and factory owners looking for markets beyond U.S. shores Many thought: EXPAND or EXPLODE! Yellow journalism led to the description of colonialism in terms of manly adventures (“the stuff of young boys’ dreams…”) Missionaries looked for lost souls to convert In general, the belief was that since the U.S. was strong, and the world was a survival of the fittest, the U.S. should invade other lands France, Germany, Britain, Japan, and Russia all engaged in imperialism, then so too should the U.S. The Age of Empire

Blaine and his Siblings James C. Blaine pushed his “Big Sister” policy aimed at rallying the Latin American nations behind Uncle Sam’s leadership and opening Latin American markets to Yankee traders It was another way of saying “we’re better than you—follow!” American and German navies nearly warred over the Samoan Islands (S. Pacific) The lynching of 11 Italians (yes, we lynched Italians) in New Orleans in 1891 nearly led to a U.S.-Italian war Chile and the U.S. nearly went to war in 1892 over the deaths of 2 U.S. sailors Seal hunting (that’s not a joke) off the coast of Alaska nearly led to an American-Canadian war (which would have been fun, because isn’t America Canada’s military anyway? I kid…) Gold found between British Guinea and Venezuela nearly led to a U.S.-Britain battle Both countries decided to see who would blink first, both threatening war Britain had the #1 Navy Eventually England backed down due to other international issues, avoiding war Blaine and his Siblings

On the following slides, you will see a quote, song lyric, or excerpt from the text. You will be called upon in a random fashion (the dice of death!) and will need to answer the question. Since you all should have read the text by now, you will be allowed to use your book but get no help from classmates. If you answer the question incorrectly, you can pick one person from the class to save you (however, the same student cannot be used more than once in the saving process for the entire class). If the “saving student” is incorrect, then the original student will come to the board and we will create an information organizing web that all students will need to copy down The goal is to focus on information we don’t know in a different way Directions

U.S. Expansion… Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain! What event is this battle cry referring to? What country did the Maine explode near? What was controversial about the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine? U.S. Expansion…

U.S. Expansion… Oh, dewy was the morning Upon the first of May, And Dewey was the Admiral, Down in Manila Bay. And dewy were the Spaniards’ eyes, Them orbs of black and blue; And dew we feel discouraged? I dew not think we dew! Explain all of the “dew” references in the poem (there are six of them) Why is a poem written about Dewey? U.S. Expansion…

U.S. Expansion… Take up the White Man’s burden— Ye dare not stoop to less— Nor call too loud on Freedom To cloak your weariness. We have talked plenty about the White Man’s Burden, but as a quick review, who wrote it, what country was he from, and what did he write it about? How close was the U.S. senate vote to approve or disapprove of the treaty with Spain? What was the result? U.S. Expansion…

“I have seen two Americas, the America before the Spanish American War and the America since.” 1. What does this person think the difference was between America before the Spanish American War and after? U.S. Expansion…

Country Focus—As it Relates to U.S. Imperialism Your turn: Group 1—Alaska (p. 344) Group 2—Hawaii (p. 344-345) Group 3—Philippines (p. 349; p. 355; map on p. 349) Group 4—Cuba (p. 353-355; map on p. 349) Group 5—Puerto Rico (p. 352-353) You have 10 minutes total. 8 minutes to do your part and 120 seconds to meet with your group You are working with the 5 W’s and an H. Who, What, Where (Be specific), When, Why, and How Each person will be responsible for one of the Capital letters related to your country…but if you have an easier one (like “Where”), help out the rest of your group because your grade is a group grade You will introduce your material in the last 12 ½ minutes of class (2 minutes for each group—30 seconds transition between each group) Country Focus—As it Relates to U.S. Imperialism