Imperialism

Imperialism is… The policy of establishing colonies and building empires.

Definition of Imperialism A policy by a stronger nation (such as the USA) to create an empire by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, or militarily.

Why did Imperialism Develop? Economic factors Political or Nationalistic factors Humanitarian or Cultural factors Military factors

Economic Factors Manufacturing nations need more natural resources and more markets.

Political or Nationalistic Factors Nationalism - a belief that one’s nations goals are superior to those of other nations

Humanitarian or Cultural Factors Spreading Western ideas and Christianity. It was their duty to spread the blessings of Western civilization across the globe.

Military Factors Growing navies need new naval bases worldwide.

Early American Imperialism Using the idea of Manifest Destiny, Alaska was purchased in The Midway Islands were annexed (joined to the USA) in 1867.

Alaska is purchased in 1867 Secretary of State William H. Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. (that’s only about 2 cents an acre!) At the time, critics thought Seward was crazy and called the deal "Seward's folly."

Delaware!

Was it worth it?? Discoveries of gold were made there in the 1880s and 1890s. These discoveries brought attention and people to Alaska. Today, petroleum transported across the state through a pipeline is Alaska's richest mineral resource.

Imperialism Presidents William McKinley Republican Starts US Imperialism Reaffirmed Monroe Doctrine

Other Pacific Property Hawaii – 1891 Queen Liliuokalani takes throne & against trade w/ US 1893 – Marines led by Sanford Dole overthrow Queen Dole made governor – asks for annexation to the US

The Hawaiian Queen is removed from power by American military force under pressure from businessmen (including Sanford Dole – the pineapple guy…) Hawaii is annexed in How did America become Involved in Imperialism?, cont.

Other Pacific Property. Japan - Trade relations are established in 1854 by Commodore Matthew Perry and a very young U.S. Navy

Other Pacific Property Samoa – US, GB, & Germany fighting over Pago Pago Over time US would gain complete control

Other Pacific Property China – divided up among European countries These “spheres of influence” limited trade between the U.S. and China

Open Door Policy In the fall of 1898, President McKinley and Secretary of State John Hay force an "open door" policy on the nations that control China. The policy would allow all trading nations access to the Chinese markets.

Civil War in Cuba In 1895 civil war broke out in Cuba between Spain and Cuban rebels. By 1895, Spain had only a few colonial possessions left including the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba

Setting the Stage for War In competition for readership, two New York newspapers wrote exaggerated stories about the Cuban rebellion. This yellow journalism sold a lot of papers but had other effects as well: It whipped up American public opinion in favor of the Cuban rebels! The Yellow Kid

Printed under a headline that read: Cuban Babes Prey to Famine Thousands of Children Perishing in Island Towns Sights that Sicken Strong Men

The New York Journal reports "...blood on the roadsides, blood in the villages, blood, blood, blood!" When William Randolph Hearst sent a reporter to cover the rumored war, he cabled back that there was no war going on. Hearst wired back: “Please remain. You supply the pictures, and I'll supply the war.”

To get the attention of the U.S. government – Cuban Rebels burn plantations owned by U.S. businessmen. The U.S. Battleship Maine is sent to protect U.S. citizens and as a warning message to Spain!

Spanish-American War Admiral George Dewey sent to Philippines ????

Remember the Maine!

Spanish-American War USS Maine EXPLODES! Over 250 Sailors Killed!

Spanish-American War April 11, 1898 – McKinley asks Congress to declare war May 1 st, 1898 – First attack Philippines Dewey sank entire Spanish Pacific Fleet

Spanish-American War May 1 st, 1898 – Second attack was surrounding Spanish Atlantic Santiago Harbor

Spanish-American War Theodore Roosevelt led invasion of Cuba w/ the Rough Riders – Volunteer Cavalry

Spanish-American War Battle of San Juan Hill – July 1 st most famous incident of the war

Spanish-American War July 4 th – Spanish Fleet tried to leave All sunk by US fleet ending the war Called “Splendid Little War” 2,500 US died – 400 died in battle? Rest died of yellow fever, malaria, food poisoning, & bad Meds

Spanish-American War Treaty of Paris 1.Cuba is independent – US get to keep 2 naval bases on island (now have one) 2.US gained Philippines, Puerto Rico, & Guam

Imperialism Presidents Theodore Roosevelt “Big Stick Diplomacy” Gained US Panama Canal Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine – it was the right of US to intervene in Latin American nations

The Panama Canal Greatest Shortcut on Earth!

Why Build a Canal? A trip from San Francisco to New York is 7,872 miles shorter using the canal instead of going around South America.

What the Heck’s an Isthmus? Isn’t the Atlantic in the East and Pacific in the West??

1880s In 1881, the French were given permission to build a canal across Panama. What challenges do you think they faced building a canal in this type of area?

By noon the temperature is around 100 degrees.

The average yearly rainfall is about 105 inches! (avg. rainfall for Middletown, De is around 42 inches) Flooding makes the ground like pudding, and you can sink up to your knees in mud.

It’s so humid that after it rains steam rises from the ground Your clothes are nearly always soaking wet.

The Jungle grows at an amazing rate!

The terrain is NOT level!

Tropical diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria are spread easily by mosquitoes.

After eight years and over 20,000 French construction worker deaths, the French abandon the project. The company building the canal goes bankrupt.

In 1903, Panama was a province of Columbia (kind of like Delaware is part of the United States) The United States offers to buy rights to build the canal from Columbia for $10 million dollars and $250,000 per year.

Columbia refuses! – holding out for more money…

On November 3, 1903 Panamanians, led by officials of the Panama Railroad and others hoping to gain from the construction of a canal, launched a revolution… Roosevelt is Furious! He refuses to deal with the Columbians any longer…

Teddy Roosevelt sends warships to protect Panama and prevent Columbia from retaking it’s own territory.

The rebels are quickly victorious and on November 6, 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt officially recognizes the new nation of Panama who in turn signs the treaty previously refused by Columbia.

The United States begins work on the canal in It is a project of the U.S. government so unlike the French, they did not run out of money. The efforts of William Gorgas defeat the worst obstacle - Disease

Another major decision had to be made – should the canal be sea level – like the French had tried to build or should they follow the natural rise of the land?

What are locks? A lock is a part of a canal with gates at each end where boats are raised or lowered to different water levels.

(click on “Operation” when you get to the website) Click Here to See How a Lock WorksClick Here to See How a Lock Works

Building the Lock Chambers

Construction progresses using steam shovels and human muscle By 1914, the canal is completed – ahead of schedule and under budget!

More than 922,000 vessels have used the waterway since its opening on August 15, 1914.

1977 The United States signed a treaty with Panama that agreed to give Panama control of the canal in 1999

A vessel passing through the Panama Canal pays a toll proportionate to its size. The average toll is about $45,000

The lowest toll ever paid is 36 cents, paid by Richard Halliburton for swimming the Canal in On May 30th, 2006, the Maersk Dellys established a new toll record by paying $249,165.00!!

On average, a vessel will take between 8 to 10 hours to transit.

Although longer than 3 Statues of Liberty laid end to end, the current locks are too small. Many ships, known as “Pana-Max”, barely fit through…

Due to be completed between 2014 and 2015, Work is under way to modernize the canal and enable it to handle much larger ships. At a cost of over $5 Billion, work includes deepening and widening the canal along with adding newer and larger locks.

Click Here to See The Panama Canal in Action Right NOW!!Click Here to See The Panama Canal in Action Right NOW!!

Arguments for Expansion Obtain new markets. Protect overseas investments. Rekindle the American pioneer spirit. Bring civilization to the “heathen” people around the world.