Section 3: U.S. Involvement Overseas

When the United States had ideas of imperialism (building an empire)… They saw Asia as potentially being profitable for their resources and as a market to sell goods (which is what colonies are for)

They even considered China as a potential place to expand interests Japan and some European countries were already claiming rights to parts of China (China was a weak country at the time). Japan and some European countries were already claiming rights to parts of China (China was a weak country at the time). They were said to be expanding their “ spheres of influence ” They were said to be expanding their “ spheres of influence ” The United States also wanted a piece of the action in China. The United States also wanted a piece of the action in China.

We asked that China have an Open Door Policy That all nations would be allowed to trade in China. That all nations would be allowed to trade in China. Eventually a group of Chinese (the Boxers) were tired of the outside influences of all these foreigners and had a rebellion. Eventually a group of Chinese (the Boxers) were tired of the outside influences of all these foreigners and had a rebellion.

Since the United States was starting to have more interests in Asia… We needed to find a more efficient way to get there – both for trade and for military purposes. We needed to find a more efficient way to get there – both for trade and for military purposes.

It was proposed to build a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans A section of Columbia had the best spot. A section of Columbia had the best spot. But, Columbia was unwilling to give up a section of their land. But, Columbia was unwilling to give up a section of their land. President Roosevelt sent the United States Navy to help a small revolution in Panama. President Roosevelt sent the United States Navy to help a small revolution in Panama. The revolution was successful and a new nation was created – called Panama The revolution was successful and a new nation was created – called Panama

These new leaders gave America the rights to a ten mile wide strip of land through Panama The United States paid Panama $10 million and agreed to give them 250,000 a year in “ rent. ” The United States paid Panama $10 million and agreed to give them 250,000 a year in “ rent. ” Some people protested the United States had cheated Panama of their land. Some people protested the United States had cheated Panama of their land. The U.S. finally paid Columbia $25 million. The U.S. finally paid Columbia $25 million. Many Latin Americans developed a bigger mistrust of Americans (always coming in to someone else ’ s country and trying to take control) Many Latin Americans developed a bigger mistrust of Americans (always coming in to someone else ’ s country and trying to take control)

The French had first decided to build a canal through Panama But they had to stop – too many diseases But they had to stop – too many diseases (Malaria, typhoid, yellow fever, etc) (Malaria, typhoid, yellow fever, etc) The U.S. eventually agreed to finish what the French started (after cures were found for these diseases) The U.S. eventually agreed to finish what the French started (after cures were found for these diseases)

Panama / The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal web site

The Future The Future The ships for which the canal was designed are now long gone. Modern shipping has increased the size of ships. The increase in the tonnage in which can be carried has thus caused problems for the canal. The canal can only accommodate ships carrying up to 65,000 tons of cargo, but recently ships which are able to carry 300,000 tons have been introduced. The ships for which the canal was designed are now long gone. Modern shipping has increased the size of ships. The increase in the tonnage in which can be carried has thus caused problems for the canal. The canal can only accommodate ships carrying up to 65,000 tons of cargo, but recently ships which are able to carry 300,000 tons have been introduced. The problem of the ever-increasing size in ships has caused discussion into the construction of a new canal joining the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. There have been discussions on three alternative routes for a new canal, through; Columbia, Mexico and Nicaragua. The Columbian and Mexican routes would allow for the construction of a sea level canal, whereas the Nicaraguan route would require a lock system. The problem of the ever-increasing size in ships has caused discussion into the construction of a new canal joining the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. There have been discussions on three alternative routes for a new canal, through; Columbia, Mexico and Nicaragua. The Columbian and Mexican routes would allow for the construction of a sea level canal, whereas the Nicaraguan route would require a lock system. If a replacement canal were to be constructed, the economic effect on the Republic of Panama would be a great concern as the present canal employs 14,000 people, of which 4,000 are Panamanians. It has been suggested that, if a new canal were to be built, the existing canal could be converted to a hydroelectric power station at a relatively small cost. As Panama has no iron-ore deposits and lacks oil, natural gas resources or skilled labor, there is no real need for a new source of cheap power. If a replacement canal were to be constructed, the economic effect on the Republic of Panama would be a great concern as the present canal employs 14,000 people, of which 4,000 are Panamanians. It has been suggested that, if a new canal were to be built, the existing canal could be converted to a hydroelectric power station at a relatively small cost. As Panama has no iron-ore deposits and lacks oil, natural gas resources or skilled labor, there is no real need for a new source of cheap power. The capacity of the existing canal could be increased by converting it to a sea level passage. This would be carried out by the dredging of more than 765 million cubic meters of earth and rock which could be carried out without interfering with existing canal traffic. Water retaining structures would be constructed to maintain the canal levels during excavation. When excavation had been completed, the water retaining structure would be demolished by blasting them into deep pits. The lowering of the canals level would take place over a seven day period and would be the only time traffic would be disrupted. The capacity of the existing canal could be increased by converting it to a sea level passage. This would be carried out by the dredging of more than 765 million cubic meters of earth and rock which could be carried out without interfering with existing canal traffic. Water retaining structures would be constructed to maintain the canal levels during excavation. When excavation had been completed, the water retaining structure would be demolished by blasting them into deep pits. The lowering of the canals level would take place over a seven day period and would be the only time traffic would be disrupted. It was suggested during the 1960's that the canal could be increased in size by the use of nuclear explosives and would cost less than one third, and take about half the time than using conventional excavation methods. It is now obvious that this would cause a great deal of concern for all anti-nuclear groups. It was suggested during the 1960's that the canal could be increased in size by the use of nuclear explosives and would cost less than one third, and take about half the time than using conventional excavation methods. It is now obvious that this would cause a great deal of concern for all anti-nuclear groups. The Panama Canals administration will be under the control of Panama in 1999 The Panama Canals administration will be under the control of Panama in 1999

The United States also got involved in the affairs of other Latin American countries The Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic Nicaragua Nicaragua Mexico (Poncho Villa) Mexico (Poncho Villa)

President Roosevelt wanted to make it clear that the United States would remain the dominant power in the western hemisphere We already had the Monroe Doctrine: We already had the Monroe Doctrine: Roosevelt added “ the Roosevelt Corollary ” Roosevelt added “ the Roosevelt Corollary ” This said the U.S. would act as a policeman in North America if they had to. This said the U.S. would act as a policeman in North America if they had to. efforts by European countries to colonize land or interfere with states in the Americas would be viewed by the United States of America as acts of aggression requiring US intervention efforts by European countries to colonize land or interfere with states in the Americas would be viewed by the United States of America as acts of aggression requiring US intervention