US Imperialism

The Spanish-American War Causes and Effects of the First American Conflict of the 20 th Century

Cubans War for Independence Cubans, recognizing the weakening of the Spanish government, begins rebelling for their own independence. Supported by many Americans invested in Cuba as a new trading partner, Jose Marti leads a civil war.

Yellow Journalism Adds to the Cause American newspapermen, Joseph Pulitzer and W.R. Hearst “sensationalize” stories about the Cuban. Known as “yellow journalism,” the press creates sympathy for Cuban efforts. The main purpose of yellow journalism is to sell newspapers, but it also stoked the fires of war.

“Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism Joseph Pulitzer William Randolph Hearst Hearst to Frederick Remington: You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war!

Spanish Ambassador Insults U.S. The Spanish Ambassador to the U.S., Enrique Dupuy de Lome, writes a letter calling McKinley weak and stupid. Hearst publishes the letter, calling it the “Worst Insult to the U.S. in it’s History.” American nationalism is enflamed.

U.S.S. Maine Sent to Cuba The U.S. warns Spain to end this rebellion quickly. Due to the outcry brought on by the yellow journalism, President McKinley sends the U.S.S. Maine to Havana harbor to protect American citizens in Cuba.

U.S.S. Maine Explodes The U.S.S. Maine in Havana blows up after coming in contact with a mine, killing 266 navy men. With newspapers fueling the flames of war with the cry “Remember the Maine,” McKinley asks Congress to go to war.

WAR in the Philippines! In the Philippine Islands, Commodore George Dewey launches a surprise attack against the once formidable Spanish Navy, wiping them out with zero American casualties. In another fight against imperialism, Philippino’s led a successful ground attack against the Spanish.

WAR in Cuba! Unlike the Philippines, the ground war in Cuba did not come as easily. U.S. troops were not well trained, used obsolete weapons, and wore heavy wool uniforms. Many men became sick from rotted food and contaminated meat.

Rough Riders Take to the Ground A new regiment made up of mostly westerners who were prepared for difficult conditions. Led by Teddy Roosevelt, the Rough Riders take Kettle and San Juan Hills to secure the high ground. After a failed attempt by the Spanish fleet to escape, the Spanish sought to surrender.

End of the “Splendid Little War” The U.S. and Spain end the war by signing the Treaty of Paris. Part of the treaty was that Spain would surrender Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the opportunity to buy the Philippines. America gave control of Cuba back to the Cubans, but did take control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

The “Rough Riders”

Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain! Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

The Spanish-American War (1898): “That Splendid Little War” How prepared was the US for war?

Critics mocked “Seward’s Icebox” and “Seward’s Folly” as a far off and useless frozen tundra. But valuable resources, including timber, and oil, were found. Alaska also doubled America’s territory. The purchase price set at $7.2 million, or about 2 cents per acre In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

In the 1790s, Americans planters established sugar cane plantations in Hawaii. In 1887, these planters gained control of the government from King Kalakaua. In 1891 the king died and his sister became Queen Liliuokalani. She resented the power of the white minority and abolished the constitution that had given them political power. In 1893, with the help of U.S. Marines, the Queen was dethroned. In 1897, President McKinley backed annexation when he took office. In 1898, Congress voted to annex Hawaii.

Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani Hawaii for the Hawaiians!

The United States expanded overseas after Commodore Matthew Perry’s fleet entered Tokyo Bay, persuading Japan to trade with the United States. Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia. The United States obtained Midway Islands in the Pacific. Congress approved the annexation of Hawaii. The Spanish-American War gave the U.S. control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Social Darwinism was the belief that life consists of competitive struggles in which only the fittest survive. Social Darwinists felt that certain nations and races were superior to others and were therefore destined to rule over the inferior people. Americans embraced Social Darwinism because they had long believed that God had granted them the right to settle the frontier. They spoke of their “Manifest Destiny.” Imperialists justified their actions based on beliefs about their own racial, national, and cultural superiority.

U.S. Secretary of State John Hay announced that the United States expected “equality of treatment for commerce” in China. This Open Door Policy, or desire for free trade, guided future U.S. actions. In 1899, China was being exploited by European powers. Britain, France, Germany, and Russia each carved out spheres of influence, or zones in which they enjoyed special access to ports and markets.

Some Chinese joined secret societies in response to the growing influence of outsiders. They celebrated traditional Chinese culture. They condemned Chinese converts to Christianity. One society was nicknamed the “Boxers” by Europeans because its members trained in the martial arts.

In 1900, Chinese secret societies began attacking foreigners and missionaries. A multinational force from the United States, Europe, and Japan, put down this Boxer Rebellion. The Chinese government was forced to pay for damages done during the rebellion. This raised nationalist anger and contributed to a 1911 revolt against the Emperor.

It eventually took 20,000 soldiers, including 2,000 Americans, like these in the Forbidden City, to put down the Boxer Rebellion.