Imperialism in Latin America Imperialist powers controlled Latin America with economic influence and political intervention.

Economic Imperialism

By the end of the 1800s, the U.S. and Europe were buying many products from Latin America. By the end of the 1800s, the U.S. and Europe were buying many products from Latin America. Americans ate bananas from Central America, drank coffee from Brazil, and smoked Cuban cigars. Americans ate bananas from Central America, drank coffee from Brazil, and smoked Cuban cigars. Americans started to invest money in Latin America. Americans started to invest money in Latin America.

Economic Imperialism American money built factories and textile mills, bought ranges, plantations, and mines, and even owned railroads. American money built factories and textile mills, bought ranges, plantations, and mines, and even owned railroads. Foreign governments thought it was a good idea to allow the Americans to buy land and spend money in their countries. Foreign governments thought it was a good idea to allow the Americans to buy land and spend money in their countries. They had hoped the increased money spent in their country would quickly improve their economy. They had hoped the increased money spent in their country would quickly improve their economy.

Economic Imperialism Some Latin America countries borrowed money from the United States. They used the money to make public improvements or strengthen their armies and navies. Some Latin America countries borrowed money from the United States. They used the money to make public improvements or strengthen their armies and navies. Sometimes a country could not pay back their loans. Sometimes the U.S. sent their ships and troops to force a country to pay their debts. Sometimes a country could not pay back their loans. Sometimes the U.S. sent their ships and troops to force a country to pay their debts.

The Spanish-American War

In 1898, the U.S. became deeply involved in Latin America. In 1898, the U.S. became deeply involved in Latin America. The problem grew out of disagreements with Spain over Cuba. The problem grew out of disagreements with Spain over Cuba. The Caribbean island had been a Spanish colony for many years but the Cubans were unhappy under Spanish rule. The Caribbean island had been a Spanish colony for many years but the Cubans were unhappy under Spanish rule.

The Spanish-American War A rebellion had failed, and the situation was tense in Cuba. Also, many Americans believed the Cuban people ought to be free. A rebellion had failed, and the situation was tense in Cuba. Also, many Americans believed the Cuban people ought to be free. Anger boiled over in Anger boiled over in 1898.

The Spanish-American War

The U.S.S. Maine, an American battleship, exploded in Havana harbor, killing some 260 Americans. The U.S.S. Maine, an American battleship, exploded in Havana harbor, killing some 260 Americans. The Maine had been sent to Cuba to protect American citizens and their property in Cuba. The Maine had been sent to Cuba to protect American citizens and their property in Cuba.

The Spanish-American War No one knew the cause of the explosion and many conspiracy theories exist to this day. No one knew the cause of the explosion and many conspiracy theories exist to this day. At the time, many in the U.S. assumed the Spanish were to blame. At the time, many in the U.S. assumed the Spanish were to blame.

The Spanish-American War Spain wanted to avoid war, but it could not withdraw from Cuba. Spain wanted to avoid war, but it could not withdraw from Cuba. The U.S. declared war in April The U.S. declared war in April 1898.

The Spanish-American War The U.S. Congress stated the U.S. was fighting only on behalf of Cuban independence and that America had no intention of taking the island itself. The U.S. Congress stated the U.S. was fighting only on behalf of Cuban independence and that America had no intention of taking the island itself. By May, the war had started. By May, the war had started.

The Spanish-American War The first battle ended with the defeat of the Spanish fleet in the Philippines. The first battle ended with the defeat of the Spanish fleet in the Philippines. In July U.S. troops arrived in Cuba. With Cuban help, the U.S. troops quickly defeated the Spanish army. In July U.S. troops arrived in Cuba. With Cuban help, the U.S. troops quickly defeated the Spanish army.

The Spanish-American War The Treaty of Paris ended the war in December By the terms of the peace, Spain gave up it’s claims to Cuba. The Treaty of Paris ended the war in December By the terms of the peace, Spain gave up it’s claims to Cuba. Spain also gave up its claim to Puerto Rico to the U.S. Spain also gave up its claim to Puerto Rico to the U.S. Following the war, the U.S. military controlled Cuba. Following the war, the U.S. military controlled Cuba.

The Spanish-American War The Treaty of Paris ended the war in December By the terms of the peace, Spain gave up it’s claims to Cuba. Spain also gave up its claim to Puerto Rico to the U.S. in the Atlantic ocean. The Treaty of Paris ended the war in December By the terms of the peace, Spain gave up it’s claims to Cuba. Spain also gave up its claim to Puerto Rico to the U.S. in the Atlantic ocean. In the Pacific Ocean, Spain gave up the Philippine Islands and the island of Guam. In the Pacific Ocean, Spain gave up the Philippine Islands and the island of Guam.

The Spanish-American War Following the war, the U.S. military controlled Cuba. Americans built schools, built roads, and tried to improve their health care. Following the war, the U.S. military controlled Cuba. Americans built schools, built roads, and tried to improve their health care. After two years, the U.S. military allowed Cuba to elect its own government. Cuba wrote it’s own constitution which included the Platt Amendment. After two years, the U.S. military allowed Cuba to elect its own government. Cuba wrote it’s own constitution which included the Platt Amendment.

The Spanish-American War The Platt Amendment said that Cuba could not transfer any land except to the U.S. The Platt Amendment said that Cuba could not transfer any land except to the U.S. In addition, it gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba whenever the U.S. believed the stable government in Cuba was at risk. In addition, it gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba whenever the U.S. believed the stable government in Cuba was at risk.

The Spanish-American War The U.S. also insisted on having a permanent naval base in Cuba at Guantanamo Bay. The U.S. also insisted on having a permanent naval base in Cuba at Guantanamo Bay.