The Emergence of the United States in World Affairs

Vocabulary Imperialism : establishment of political or economic control over other countries Communism : a political system in which the state owns all land, factories, and business Domino effect : one event begins a chain of similar events Propaganda: ideas, facts or allegation spread to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause Socialism: a system in which the means of production and distribution of goods are controlled by the state Capitalism: a system in which goods, investments and businesses are owned privately Progressivism: a movement that believes that government should solve social, economic, and political problems International : relating to many nations Populism : a political philosophy that focuses on meeting the needs of the common people Progressivism : a reform movement that wanted to solve political, economic, and social problems

Motives for Imperialism To expand economically To gain political power (competing with other nations) To gain military power (competing with other nations) To satisfy feelings of nationalism

Building an Empire Alaska, 1867 Seward’s Folly/ Seward’s Icebox Purchased from Russia for 7.2 million It was highly contested in Congress it was generally thought to be useless, but later proved to be an excellent addition. Hawaii, 1893 Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown by American sugar planters in Hawaii (Sanford B. Dole). The US did believe US control of Hawaii was essential for trade with Asia and did not want another country to claim Hawaii.

Spanish-American War Spanish rule of Cuba Spanish ruled Cuba harshly Yellow Journalism = newspapers and magazines that used sensational headlines to sell papers Joseph Pulitzer William Randolph Hearst In order to sell papers both Pulitzer and Hearst used any tactic they could including dishonest and exaggerated reporting to try and out sell one another. Because of William Randolph Hearst’s exaggerated reporting his papers were able to turn public opinion against Spain and helped to cause the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War William Randolph Hearst told the artist, Frederic Remington, “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.” William Randolph Hearst’s papers also published the De Lome Letter = which was written by the Spanish Ambassador, Enrique de Lome, in which he criticized US President McKinley; the publication of the letter only angered the American public even more toward Spain. The letter stated that President “...McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd...”

Spanish-American War The Cubans begin a war for freedom against the Spanish. The United States sends ships to observe the Cubans fighting against the Spanish The USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor, Cuba “Remember the Maine” became the rallying cry for the war

World Power Territories Hawaii American planters had organized the overthrow of the monarch Philippines War erupts between the Philippines and the US over the Philippine’s desire to be independent William H. Taft was first governor Becomes independent nation Puerto Rico Becomes territory of the United States and its people become citizens in 1917

Panama Canal The Spanish-American War had shown the US the need to have a way to quickly sent warships from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans (France had already attempted to build a canal) Panama was part of Colombia United States tries to negotiate a canal treaty with Colombia Colombia refuses Panama has a revolution backed by the United States 10 years of construction followed Thousands died of accidents and disease while building the canal