American Imperialism
Preset: Define foreign policy. What is the general purpose of foreign policy for a nation? Why is the United States currently involved in Afghanistan and Iraq? Why does the United States maintain good relations with Israel and Saudi Arabia? Define imperialism. Is imperialism an example of foreign policy?
Imperialism Creation of global empires through the establishment of colonies Africa, SW Asia, South Asia, SE Asia – targeted regions by European powers Global Empire = sign of Great Power Created fierce competition among Great Powers to keep and defend and increase size of empire
Why US Imperialism? Export markets –business interests Farmers and industries sell surplus goods Relieve unemployment Source of raw materials for industry Alfred T. Mahan – The Influence of Sea Power upon History US needed strong navy to defend trade lanes US needed naval bases in Caribbean & Pacific, and a canal to link the Atlantic & Pacific US needed naval bases to act as coaling stations to project power
Areas of American Imperialism Central America Caribbean Philippines Hawaii China
Hawaii 1875 – protectorate of US – guaranteed Hawaiian independence, trade rights, Pearl Harbor Sugar and Pineapple plantations Sugar growers wanted US to annex to avoid tariffs
US business leaders (Sanford Dole) overthrew Queen Liliuokalani – opposed change to constitution that eliminated property clause for voting Hawaii annexed in 1898
Spanish-American War (1898) Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines – colonies of Spanish Empire US – heavy investment in sugar in Cuba US – wanted stable Cuba to protect investment, Caribbean, canal US – supported revolutionary movement in Cuba – Jose Marti (Cuban journalist)
“Yellow journalism” – American newspapers wrote stories against Spanish government – concentration camps USS Maine – US battleship exploded in Havana harbor – Spanish gov. blamed WAR! US defeated Spain
Results: Cuba – protectorate of US – increased US investment Guantanamo Bay – Caribbean naval base Puerto Rico – annexed Guam - annexed Philippines – annexed for $20 million – became East Asian colony Philipino insurrection against US led by Emilio Aguinaldo - US put down insurrection
Central America Panama US supported rebellion in Columbia for independent Panama (1903) Why?– canal to link Atlantic and Pacific – trade and navy Panama – republic – protectorate of US
Roosevelt Corollary (1904) Gave greater strength to the Monroe Doctrine “Big Stick” Diplomacy Western Hemisphere = American sphere of influence – off limits to European intervention
US Empire
Question: Review the naval philosophy of Alfred Mahan. How did the imperialistic actions of the United States reflect the philosophy of Mahan?
China 1899 – “Open Door Policy” – John Hay (Sec. of State) China should be open to trade by all countries – no interference in spheres of influence 1900 – US troops helped put down the “Boxer Rebellion”
1900 – the Boxer Rebellion Chinese nationalists (“the Boxers”) targeted missionaries and symbols of foreign intervention (RR, businesses) Resented foreign influence and control of Chinese government Ching dynasty lost Mandate of Heavan Multinational force defeated “the Boxers” – protect foreign investment in China
Chinese govt. assessed a fine of 67 Chinese govt. assessed a fine of 67.5 million pounds to cover damages to foreign investment China remained under the control of western nations