Isolationism to Empire American Imperialism Isolationism to Empire

Closing the American Frontier

Economic Interests

Military/Strategic Interests

White Man’s Burden

Humanitarian Efforts China, 1905

Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani

1893 – American businessmen backed an uprising against Queen Liliuokalani.

Cuba

“Reconcentration” Camps General “Butcher” Weyler relocated 300,000 Cubans to reconcentrados

Reconcentrados

“Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism Sensational coverage Encouraged Jingoism: feeling of intense national pride and a desire for an aggressive foreign policy “You furnish the pictures, I’ll furnish the war” Joseph Pulitzer William Randolph Hearst

The Great White Fleet Alfred T. Mahan, 1890, importance of sea power in history = Am. Naval build up = show of U.S. power

The U.S.S. Maine

Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain!

The de Lome Letter Described President McKinley as "weak" and a "petty politician." Called by Hearst: "WORST INSULT TO THE UNITED STATES IN ITS HISTORY."

Battle of San Juan Hill

Theodore Roosevelt Gains Fame T.R. led unit of calvary known as the Rough Riders received credit for the battle of San Juan Hill (1898) Gained tremendous popularity and began to create image as an American hero

To take or to not take the Philippines?

Anti-Imperialists Acquire territory w/no path to statehood Unconstitutional Govern w/o consent against Dec. of Ind. Pressing social reforms at home Commitment of maintaining an empire

Outcome of the Spanish American War (1898) Treaty of Paris Obtained the Philippines (20 million), Guam, and Puerto Rico Cuba became a U.S. protectorate Teller Amendment: U.S. promises not to take over Cuba Platt Amendment: Cuba could not make treaties, go into debt, and the U.S. could intervene

Cares of a Growing Family

Big Stick Diplomacy Roosevelt Corollary: Asserted America’s right to intervene in order to protect economic interests America would act as a international police force

Not to be left out… U. S. issues the Open Door Policy (1899) America asserts right to free trade America use force if necessary 30

Boxer Rebellion (1900) Eight nation coalition defeated Boxers First multinational force Precedent of intervention to protect American civilians 31

The Panama Canal Roosevelt: “I took the Canal Zone, and let Congress debate, and while the debate goes on, the canal does also.” 32

Completion of the Canal Represented American technological capability Symbolized arrogant American imperialism

American Foreign Investments, 1914

Dollar Diplomacy Taft used financial power to exert influence over Latin American countries Ex. Nicaragua intervention

Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” Improve financial opportunities for American businesses. Use private capital to further U. S. interests overseas. Create stability/promote America’s commercial interests.

Nicaragua Intervention, 1911 President Diaz was an officer of U.S.-owned Nicaraguan mining company U.S. bankers loaned 15 million/controlled Nicaraguan National Bank Revolt ensued against Diaz Taft sent in 2,500 Marines to protect American interests Remained there until 1933

The U. S. should be the conscience of the world.

Moral/Missionary Diplomacy Wilson would not recognize any country that was… Undemocratic Oppressive Hostile to U.S. interests

Intervention in Mexico, 1914 Wilson refused to recognize Mexican gov’t “I will not recognize a government of butchers…I am going to teach the South American republics to elect good men.” Pancho Villa

Pattern of Intervention Based on humanitarian grounds, to enforce order, forestall foreign intervention, and protect U.S. economic interests, the United States intervened in the Caribbean and Central America some 20 times over the next 30 yrs.

U.S. Interventions 1890s-1920s

America’s New Role

Changing World Role U.S. now had global commitments and could no longer remain completely isolationist

“One of the Boys”