Chapter 18 : Becoming a World Power

The Pressure to Expand Growth of Imperialism Imperialism – Stronger nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations; economically, politically, culturally, and militarily. Several factors accounted for the burst of imperialistic activity in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Reasons for Imperialism 1. Economic Factors – need for natural resources; need for new markets 2. Nationalist Factors – pride in one’s country; competition between countries 3. Military Factors – superiority of armed forces; need for bases and fuel 4. Humanitarian Factors – spreading of culture (religion, medicine, politics…)

Europe leads the way “The sun never sets on the British Empire!” This was a popular slogan that demonstrated the power and land control that the British had world wide! In other words, the British owned or controlled land on just about every continent.

The U.S. and Imperialism In 1796, President George Washington advised Americans to avoid active involvement in international affairs. –Make no permanent alliances! His advice was generally followed over the next century. By 1890, however, the U.S. was eager to join the competition for new overseas territories.

Causes of the Spanish American War American desire to expand Revolution in Cuba –General Weyler Concentration Camps The De Lome Letter –Accused McKinley of being weak The sinking of the USS Maine –250 killed Yellow Journalism –Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst –Jingoism Artists Rendering of the Sinking of the Maine Source: Chicago Historical Society

Sinking of the USS Maine One of the topics used by the yellow journalists was the loss of the Navy Baseball team on the Maine. All lost at Havana except J.H. Bloomer

Course of the War Philippines –May 1, 1898 – 1 st war action. –Gen. George Dewey demolished the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. Cuba and Puerto Rico Rough Riders Battle of San Juan Hill Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders --> –Big victory at San Juan Hill

Treaty of Paris 1898 Ended the Spanish American War. –Sec. of State John Hay, “a splendid little war.” Spain recognizes Cuban independence. –Platt Amendment Stated that the U.S. was allowed to limit foreign intervention and to set up naval bases in Cuba (Guantanamo Bay) U.S. gets: Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam for $20 million.

Other effects of the war… No more European powers in the Western Hemisphere. –Monroe Doctrine U.S. becomes a world power. Effects on Soldiers: –385 Killed in Action –Over 3,000 killed by diseases malaria, yellow fever, bad meat…

The U.S. and Imperialism The economy was expanding and many leaders felt the U.S. needed to find new markets. The U.S. began to build a modern navy –By 1900, the U.S. had one of the most powerful navies in the world. A new period of American Foreign Policy had begun.

U.S. Foreign Policy Isolationism –Strict non-involvement in the affairs of other nations. Collective Security –Working with other countries to influence world affairs Internationalism –Intervening in other countries’ affairs to promote important national interests and /or to safeguard national interests Imperialism –Extending power by acquiring territory around the globe or exploiting weaker nations to serve national interests

U.S. Overseas Expansion Causes 1.Western frontier closes 2.Businesses seek raw materials in new markets 3.European nations compete for resources and markets Effects 1.U.S. develops a strong navy 2.Open Door Policy protects trade w/China 3.After Spanish American War U.S. gains lands in the Caribbean and Pacific 4.Panama Canal Built 5.U.S. sends troops in Latin America to protect interests

China’s Open Door European spheres of influence. Chinese resistance. Opium Wars – China and GB. US fears exclusion, declares “open door”. Boxer Rebellion – quickly put down. Puppet Gov’t to the West.

American Expansion Seward’s Folly –Secretary of State William Seward –U.S. purchased Alaska for $7.2 million from Russia in 1867 –Also in 1867, the U.S. acquired the Midway Islands (midway b/w U.S. and Asia)

Annexation of Hawaii Queen Liliuokalani & Sanford Dole –She was the last Queen. –Dole sabotaged his own pineapple plantation and blamed the Hawaiians, so the US would come. Marines for backup and Hawaiian surrender. Hawaii declared a republic, Dole declared himself first President and requested US annexation…McKinley said yes.

Roosevelt Becomes President Under Roosevelt the U.S. followed an aggressive foreign policy and continued to expand its power overseas. “Speak softly and carry a big stick!” –SS – use diplomacy –CABS – use deterence, maybe military Panama Canal. Negotiated peace with Russia and Japanese. –Won a Nobel Prize

Roosevelt Corollary Issued to add onto the Monroe Doctrine. He denied the US wanted any territory! He said the Us only wanted “to see neighboring countries stable, orderly, and prosperous. But the US might be forced to exercise “an international police power.” “It must be understood that under no circumstances will the US use the Monroe Doctrine as a cloak for territorial aggression. We desire peace will all the world, but perhaps most of all with the other peoples of the American continent…It is always possible that wrong actions towards this nation…may result in our having to take action to protect our rights; but such action will not be taken with a view to territorial aggression.

Taft and Dollar Diplomacy Elected Not as aggressive with foreign policy as Teddy. Wanted to: –Maintain open door to Asia –Preserve stability in Latin America. –Substitute dollars for bullets. Dollar Diplomacy Pumping $ into unstable gov’ts doesn’t always work…

Imperialist vs. Anti-Imperialist Americans need a new frontier Economy would benefit from more markets Military would gain power by having bases around the world American ideals of liberty and democracy would be spread People in territories under American control will be denied their liberties Racists beliefs are used to justify controlling other nations Overseas involvement is expensive, leading to higher taxes and debts U.S. has enough problems at home, should not take on more responsibilities

Homework Create “FRONT PAGE” yellow journalism news story from Chapter 18. –Any event that has occurred in this chapter. Be sure to name your newspaper! Remember to focus on entertainment more so than content.