America’s Quest for Empire Imperialism America’s Quest for Empire
Why did we want an empire? 1. Creation of international markets How? · Open Door Policy: Secretary of State John Hay proposed a policy that would give all nations equal trading rights in China. · Open Door Policy: Urged all foreigners in China to obey Chinese law, observe fair competition 2. Growth in international trade occurred from the late 1800s to World War I—the first era of a true “global economy.”
Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote a book called “The Influence of Sea Power on History” which advised the US to do three things: 1. build a steel hulled navy 2. gain colonies to serve as naval bases 3. build a canal through the isthmus of Panama
Progressive Foreign Policy “Walk softly but carry a big stick.” US would intervene in Latin America in order to protect our interests. Created the Roosevelt Corollary saying the US was the only nation who could use its military in the Americas. American companies should invest in Latin American countries and use business to control their governments. If American business interests are threatened, then the US would send in the military to protect investments. The United States will only interfere in other nations in order to spread democracy and protestant Christianity. “Keep the world safe for democracy”
The Panama Canal Why did we want one? To become a world military power. What it did: Increased speed of travel To make trade between oceans (Atlantic & Pacific) faster
Spanish-American War The first test of US imperialism came from Cuba. There Cubans started a revolution against Spain for their independence. Cuba wanted the US to help them and use the Monroe Doctrine. President McKinley was not convinced this was a good idea. Ultimately, two events convinced him to declare war. The first was “Yellow Journalism.” Two New York news papers run by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst were competing to sell papers. They exaggerated the news from Cuba to gain support for a war from the American people. The people put pressure on McKinley to declare war.
Bowing to this public pressure, McKinley reluctantly sent the new warship the USS Maine to Havana harbor to protect the American sugar businesses. Once there, its boiler exploded killing all. The Yellow Journalists said that the Spanish were at fault. As a result, McKinley had no choice but to declare the Spanish-American War!
The Spanish-American War only lasted for 3 months, but had three phases: 1. US attacked the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay (Philippines) sinking all their ships. 2. US invades Cuba= Battle of San Juan Hill led by T. Roosevelt & his volunteer Rough Riders 3. Spain surrenders
The Treaty of Paris (1898) which ends the war. Territories Gained— Puerto Rico, the Philippines & Guam. Teller & Platt Amendments— The US agrees not to annex (take over) Cuba, but do give the US control over Cuban foreign policy.
Additional Territories US business leaders overthrow Hawaii’s Queen Liliuokalani. It is annexed in 1898. Annexed by the US in the Treaty of Paris (1898). Occupied until 1948. Emilio Aguinaldo led guerilla war against US occupation but lost.