T HE U NITED S TATES AND E AST A SIA Chapter 14, Section 3
F ILIPINOS R EBEL A GAINST U.S. R ULE While Filipinos saw the U.S. as allies during the Spanish-American War, they soon plotted to overthrow the U.S. rule. They were led by Emilio Aguinaldo They employed guerilla warfare tactics such as surprise raids and hit-and-run attacks, which they had also used on the Spanish. The U.S. responded by imprisoning Filipinos. In 1901, William Howard Taft became governor of the Philippines. To ease tensions, he ordered the construction of schools, roads and bridges– things to improve the country.
T HE U NITED S TATES P URSUES I NTERESTS IN C HINA European countries saw China as a place of valuable resources. They broke China into spheres of influence, or assigned areas of trade. The U.S. was not included in the assigning. Secretary of State John Hay saw a need for U.S. trade with China, so he proposed an ‘Open Door’ Policy. Under this policy, the U.S. would agree not to colonize China, but simply be able to trade with the country. The Boxer Rebellion, between the Japanese and Chinese rebels created tension in the region.
T ENSIONS R ISE B ETWEEN A MERICA AND J APAN The Russo-Japanese War began when Japan became frustrated with Russian troops in the region of China known as Manchuria. When the two countries went to war, the United States became involved. President Theodore Roosevelt negotiated an end to the war, winning him a Nobel Peace Prize. Roosevelt further brokered tensions with Japan after San Francisco schools attempted to segregate Japanese children. In the Gentleman’s Agreement, the school board pledged to end its segregation policy if Japan restricted emigration from Japan.
T ENSIONS RISE B ETWEEN A MERICA AND J APAN In a demonstration of their growing Navy, Theodore Roosevelt sent 16 white battleships on a “good will cruise” around the world. These ships were known as the Great White Fleet. It was a clever demonstration of military power by the newly emerged imperial power.
T HE U NITED S TATES IN L ATIN A MERICA Chapter 14, Section 4
U.S. P OLICY IN P UERTO R ICO AND C UBA Puerto Rico remained under U.S. rule after the S- A War. The Foraker Act was passed in 1900 and established a civil government on the island. Although Puerto Rico was a part of the United States, they could not enjoy the same privileges– in the insular cases, it was decided that Puerto Ricans had to pay taxes, but were not citizens. Similarly, Cubans disliked the Platt Amendment because it restricted their freedoms, stating: Had to have US consent to sign treaties; Lease land for naval bases (Guantanamo Bay); US had ‘right to intervene’ to uphold order.
R OOSEVELT P URSUES “B IG S TICK ” D IPLOMACY In regards to foreign policy, Roosevelt adopted a belief that a strong military was needed to achieve goals. This became known as “big stick diplomacy” from the African proverb “speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” In 1903, the U.S. bought the rights to the Panama Canal from a French company. Since Panama belonged to Colombia, they needed permission from the Colombian gov to build. When the Panamanians rebelled for their independence, Roosevelt sent ships to back them. Upon acquiring freedom, they purchased the Canal Zone for $10 million, and $250,000 annual rent.
R OOSEVELT P URSUES “B IG S TICK ” D IPLOMACY When the canal was completed in 1914, it cut 8,000 miles off the trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. When Latin American countries could not pay their debts, European countries began to occupy these countries. In an effort to demonstrate regional power, Roosevelt updated the Monroe Doctrine by adding this corollary to it: In the case of “chronic wrongdoing” (i.e debt) by a foreign nation, the U.S. could step in as a ‘police power’ and restore order. It provided a basis for U.S. intervention.
W ILSON P URSUES M ORAL D IPLOMACY When William Taft assumed the role of president, he continued the Open Door Policy in China and focused his foreign policy on trade. Thus, he believed the way to interact and control another country was through the use of money, known as dollar diplomacy. President Wilson’s foreign policy was even more different from Roosevelt’s than Taft’s. Instead of territorial conquest, Wilson believed in promoting human rights and integrity in these countries, known as ‘moral diplomacy’. However, both Taft and Wilson used the U.S.’ strong military when necessary.
W ILSON P URSUES M ORAL D IPLOMACY One of these instances was in Mexico in 1914 to help pro-American Venustiano Carranza attain power. When Mexican rebels, led by Pancho Villa, crossed the border into New Mexico and killed 18, Wilson sent troops after him, led by John J. Pershing. Villa managed to evade Pershing for months, and eventually Wilson was forced to withdraw troops, with the onset of WWI.