America as a World Power

Imperialism and Expansion Imperialism – building an empire by founding colonies and conquering nations. 1870-1914 – European countries take control of Africa and most of Asia. Reasons for Imperialism: 1. desire for resources 2. needed new trade markets 3. expansion of military power 4. source of national pride (Nationalism)

Africa

United States Isolationism – avoiding involvement with foreign countries U.S did not begin expanding until the late 1800’s. 1867 – U.S. buys Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million “Seward’s Folly” – William H. Seward – Secretary of State 1893 – Hawaii – sugar planters lead a revolt against Queen Liliuokalani – U.S. annexes Hawaii in 1898.

Spanish-American War 1895 – Cuba revolts against Spanish rule 200,000 Cubans die in the revolt and in Spanish concentration camps. Joseph Pulitzer/William Randolph Hearst – newspaper publishers in New York Yellow Journalism – exaggerating and twisting the news 1896 – William McKinley elected President – supported Cuban independence

Cuba

William Randolph Hearst Joseph Pulitzer

William McKinley

“Remember the Maine” January 25, 1898 – U.S. battleship Maine arrives in Havana, Cuba to protect U.S. interests February 15 – Maine explodes – 260 American sailors are killed – Most Americans blame Spain April 20 – Teller Amendment – tells Spain to leave Cuba – U.S. has no interest in taking over April 24 – Spain declares war on U.S. August 12 – Spain surrenders

Yellow Journalism

War with Spain America wins fairly easily, despite being poorly prepared when war begins. Most Americans die of tropical diseases, not battle wounds Theodore Roosevelt – Rough Riders U.S. 10th Cavalry – all-black unit U.S gains the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico from Spain. Platt Amendment – Cuba becomes independent, but U.S. has final say-so on all Cuban affairs.

Teddy Roosevelt

Panama Canal Journey around South America could take up to six weeks. U.S. leaders wanted to cut that time by digging a canal across Central America Several attempts had already been made. 1901 – Teddy Roosevelt becomes President after McKinley’s assassination. 1903 – Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty – U.S. gets a 10-mile wide zone across Panama for 99 years - $10 million plus $250,000 a year Canal opens in 1914 – cost $375 million to build – 6,000 men died building it - disease

Panama

Building the Canal

Latin America Monroe Doctrine – 1823 – Europeans had to stay out of the Americas Many European nations had loaned money to Central and South America. – These countries often refused to repay their debts. Roosevelt Corollary – The United States would force these countries to repay their debts; kept Europeans out. “Speak softly and carry a big stick” United States marines occupy many Central and South American nations multiple times to force debt repayment and protect American businesses and citizens

Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt as President Progressives – reformers who wanted to solve problems in the U.S. caused by rapid growth and change Square Deal – forced companies to negotiate with workers for better conditions (arbitration) Trust-busting – breaking up big companies – helped the public avoid higher costs Conservation – greatly expanded the National Park system – doubled the number of parks and national monuments Muckrakers – journalists who exposed corruption and waste in government and business Progressive Problems 1. Urban issues – crime, poverty, disease/sanitation, overcrowding 2. Political/financial reform and corruption 3. Workplace reform – child labor, worker safety, better pay and conditions 4. Women and Minority Rights

Theodore Roosevelt

Dollar Diplomacy William Howard Taft – elected President in 1909 Believed in letting American businesses influence Latin America first. America invested or loaned millions to Latin American countries Military was last resort if they did not repay.

William Howard Taft

American Intervention

Mexican Revolution Porfirio Diaz – Mexican dictator, worked closely with American business and government 1910 – Revolution begins – Francisco Madero Breaks down into a multi-sided civil war Victoriano Huerta – takes power in 1913 1914 – US marines capture port of Veracruz – to keep European arms from being delivered Pancho Villa – March 1916 – raids across the border into New Mexico, killing 17 US Citizens John J. Pershing – leads US soldiers into Mexico after Villa, never catching him 1920 – Mexican civil war ends

Porfirio Diaz Victoriano Heurta Pancho Villa

John J. Pershing