U.S. Imperialism

I. Imperialism *The policy of conquering other nations to create an empire. The United States began to adopt imperialist ideas in the late 1800's. A. Seward's Folly-Secretary of State William H. Seward purchased Alaska for $7.2 million from Russia in 1867.

I. Imperialism B. Alfred Thayer Mahan-His book The Influence of Sea Power on History convinced leaders that naval power was very important.

I. Imperialism C. Reasons for Expansion: 1. New foreign markets for trade 2. Anglo-Saxon "superiority" or the "white man's burden" 3. Sea Power

II. The Spanish-American War 1898 A. Cuban Independence-Cubans are led by Jose Marti in Yellow journalists like Hearst and Pulitzer exaggerated stories of Spanish actions in Cuba. These stories caused many Americans to want to go to war with Spain. Yellow Journalists Pulitzer and Hearst

II. The Spanish-American War 1898 B. The Road to War President William McKinley did not want to go to war. Two events led America into War: 1. de Lome Letter-The Spanish minister to the U.S. wrote a letter calling McKinley "weak." This letter was stolen and published in the papers. 2. U.S.S. Maine-warship was anchored in Havana harbor. It exploded Feb. 15, 1898 killing 260 American men. The U.S. declared war on April 20, 1898.

II. The Spanish-American War 1898 C. The Phillipines-Admiral George Dewey led the Pacific Fleet into Manila Bay and destroyed the Spanish forces there. D. Cuban Invasion-Theodore Roosevelt resigns as assistant secretary of the Navy, then organizes a group of former soldiers called the Rough Riders to fight in Cuba. U.S. forces win the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, E. Treaty of Paris of 1898-ended war between Spain & U.S..

III. The Fruits of Imperialism A. New Possessions: Puerto Rico & Guam become territories. U.S. paid Spain $20 million and took over the Philippines. Cuba became a protectorate (a country who makes its own laws but is controlled by another country.)

III. The Fruits of Imperialism Uncle Sam swelling from all the additions

III. The Fruits of Imperialism Uncle Sam swelling from all the additions

III. The Fruits of Imperialism B. Platt Amendment-1901 Set rules for Cuba to follow. 1. Cuba would make no treaties to limit its own independence. 2. Cuba could not allow any foreign power to control any part of its territory. 3. U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs

III. The Fruits of Imperialism B. Platt Amendment-1901 Set rules for Cuba to follow. 4. Cuba could not go into debt. 5. U.S. could buy or lease Cuban land. U.S. also established a naval base at Guantanamo Bay in U.S. also gave loans to the Cuban government and U.S. corporations invested money in Cuban industry and business.

III. The Fruits of Imperialism C. Puerto Rico-became a commonwealth (A country that makes its own laws and handles its own finances while the U.S. takes care of defense and tariffs.)

III. The Fruits of Imperialism D. Hawaii-was full of American sugar planters. A new monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, wanted to kick them out. She wanted "Hawaii for Hawaiians." - A revolution was organized by John Stevens, the U.S. minister to Hawaii, and supported by Marines. -Hawaii became a U.S. territory on August 12, 1898.

III. The Fruits of Imperialism E. Philippine Conflict William Howard Taft was the civilian governor from Emilio Aguinaldo led a group of Filipino rebels in a guerrilla war against their American rulers to gain their true independence. Conflict continued periodically until the Philippines became an independent republic in 1946.

III. The Fruits of Imperialism F. Panama Canal-U.S. wanted to build a canal but the Columbian government would not allow it. The U.S. supported a revolution in the province of Panama and helped the country become independent. We then negotiated a deal with the new Panamanian government in The Panama Canal was an incredible feat of engineering and it gave the U.S. some very valuable property in Latin America. Illustration of the Locks

III. The Fruits of Imperialism G. Policies on Latin America 1. Roosevelt Corollary-1904-Theodore Roosevelt extended the Monroe Doctrine with his speech about American power. He said that the United States should be the "policemen" of the Western Hemisphere. Meant that we would intervene in all problems in North and South America. “Speak softly and carry a big stick” His approach became known as Big Stick Diplomacy

III. The Fruits of Imperialism G. Policies on Latin America 2. Dollar Diplomacy-Taft-policy of using the United States government to guarantee loans made to foreign governments. Gave The United States financial interest & power in Latin America

IV. Problems with Mexico A Mexican government had been overthrown 2 times and the new leader, General Victoriano Huerta, favored the wealthy and foreign investors while many citizens were living in poverty and were being treated unfairly. B. Moral Diplomacy-Woodrow Wilson tried to aid morality to foreign affairs and refused to back Huerta. He sent the military to support Carranza, and forced Huerta to resign.

IV. Problems with Mexico C. “Pancho” Villa-Revolutionary who led an uprising against the new government and also came across the border to raid the town of Columbus, New Mexico. President Wilson sent John J. Pershing to capture Pancho Villa. After a year of pursuing him, his forces came back to the U.S. without him. He is viewed as a folk hero in Mexican history John J. Pershing Pancho Villa

V. Problems with China Chinese markets were the prize for controlling Pacific trade. A. Spheres of Influence-These were areas in China where foreign nations had special rights and powers. The U.S. had none. Sec. of State John Hay promoted the Open Door Policy which meant that foreign nations could trade anywhere in China. It was adopted in B. Boxer Rebellion Native Chinese led a revolt against foreign businessmen, killing hundreds. This led to new treaties respecting Chinese independence.

VI. Problems with Japan A. Russo-Japanese War, 1905-This war between Russia and Japan ended as Theodore Roosevelt helped the Japanese. Their victory led to the emergence of Japan as the strongest nation in the Pacific and their relations with the US suddenly went downhill. B. “The Great White Fleet”-To show American naval power, President Roosevelt sent 16 battleships on a cruise around the world. This display was intended to impress the Japanese and other nations. Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet