1. Part I- American Imperialism
Global Interactions
Part I- American Imperialism

2. What is Imperialism?
a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force

3. Reasons for Imperialism
New Markets and Resources
Cultural Superiority
“White Man’s Burden”
Military Strength

4. Road to American Empire

5. Stop 1: Alaska
1867- Sec. of State William Seward buys Alaska from Russia
Price Tag: $ .02 cents an Acre
Called “Seward’s Folly” at the time

6. Stop # 2: Hawaii Background Annexation
American missionaries had ventured to Hawaii during the 19th century
The Americans there became prosperous due to sugar plantation
United States is seeking a naval base in the Pacific
Led by Sanford Dole with US backing, the planters overthrow Queen Liloukalani
Hawaii is annexed by the US
US gains the sugar and Pearl Harbor?

7. Stop # 3 The Spanish- American War

8. Background Causes Spanish rule of Cuba Yellow Journalism Delome Letter
Trigger Event
Explosion of USS Maine in Havana Harbor

9. Spanish Rule over Cuba
Spain sends General Weyler to Cuba to manage the people.
Cubans in concentration camps.
This infuriates America.

10. Exaggerated Journalism
Yellow Journalism
Exaggerated Journalism
“You supply the pictures, I’ll supply the war.” --Hearst

12. Delome Letter Delome was a Spanish General.
He said Mckinley had the backbone of an éclair.
This increased tensions between America and Spain.

13. Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine “Remember the Maine”
U.S.S. Maine blows up while coming back from Cuba to pick up citizens.
America blames this on Spain.
The U.S. later discovers that this was an internal combustion.

14. The War

15. Two Front War
Pacific
Carribean

16. The Philippines
Emilio Aguinaldo: asked U.S. to help with independence from Spain
We sent troops there FIRST to start the Spanish American War.
Battle of Manila Bay- overwhelming US naval victory under Commodore Dewey
The U.S. quickly defeats the Spanish, as they expected the U.S. to go to Cuba first.

17. Battles in Cuba US lands 20,000 soldiers in Cuba
Major Battle: San Juan Hill
Rough Riders: Volunteer cavalry led by Theodore Roosevelt
African Americans fought with the white troops
American Victory

18. Puerto Rico and Treaty of Paris
The final American victory is in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico also wanted independence from Spain.
Treaty of Paris:
Spain freed Cuba, become US protectorate
Guam and Puerto Rico become US territories
The U.S. buys the Philippines for $15 million.

19. Lasting Effects of the War
Spain fully loses its empire
US is now a global power on par with European Powers
In the Pacific: the Philippines, & Guam gained
In the Caribbean: Puerto Rico gained
Cuba is independent but a protectorate of the US.
Platt Amendment (1901): Provisions that the U.S. insisted Cuba add to its Constitution
Philippine Insurrection

20. Philippine- American War/ Philippines Insurrection
Filipinos had hoped for Independence
Emilio Aguinaldo leads a revolt against American forces when they annex the island
America’s first jungle war against guerrillas
A precursor to Vietnam?
Using brutal tactics the US Army forces the guerrilla forces to surrender

21. Influence in Asia- China
“Sick Man of Asia”
Divided into Spheres of Influence
Open Door Notes (1899): Issued by John Hay, proposed that nations share their trading rights in China
No single nation would have a monopoly on trade with any part of China.

22. Boxer Rebellion
Boxers: Secret Society who killed hundreds of missionaries and other foreigners in China
Boxer Rebellion (Aug 1900): Put down by the American and European troops

23. Roosevelt “Speak Softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
Roosevelt Corollary (extension to Monroe Doctrine): Disorder in Latin America might force U.S. to exercise international police power

24. In Latin America- Panama Canal
Reflected America’s new role as a world power
U.S. helps Panama gain independence from Colombia in 1903
U.S. agrees to pay Panama $10 million plus an annual rent of $250,000.
Canal opens in 1914, and 1,000 ships pass during its first year.

25. Taft- Dollar Diplomacy
Taft administration followed the policy of using the U.S. gov’t to guarantee loans made to foreign countries by American business people.
U.S. loans money to Nicaragua in 1911 in return for custom duties.
U.S. bankers gain control of railroad systems and its national bank.
This becomes known as DOLLAR DIPLOMACY because critics said it was used to keep European powers out of the Caribbean.

26. Wilson- Missionary Diplomacy
Wilson gave the Monroe Doctrine a moral tone.
Missionary Diplomacy: The U.S. had a moral responsibility to deny recognition of any Latin American gov’t it deemed oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile.

27. Trouble South of the Border Mexican Revolution
Mexico was going through a revolution with several changes in power.
Carranza, a nationalist leader, becomes President in 1915.
Rebels under the leadership of Francisco “Pancho Villa” began attacking Americans in Mexico.
America demanded revenge.
Wilson orders General John J. Pershing into Mexico with 15,000 troops to capture Villa dead or alive.

28. Early 20th Century Goals
Expand access to foreign markets to ensure growth of domestic economy
Build modern Navy to protect interests abroad
Exercise international police power to ensure dominance in Latin America