1. Imperialist Presidents and their Policies

2. William McKinley – Open Door
Supported Alfred Mahan’s proposals for a strong naval power
Began construction of a modernized American navy.
Did NOT want to intervene in the Cuban revolution or the Spanish-American war
Would cost too many lives and hurt the US economy
Preferred to negotiate with Spain

3. Representation of Spanish Misrule in Cuba

4. William McKinley – Open Door
As conflict continued, he sent the USS Maine to Havana harbor to protect Americans in Cuba from riots and be ready to help in case of evacuation
Is pressured into declaring war on Spain by congress in 1898

5. William McKinley – Open Door
Despite promising to give them independence at the war’s end McKinley decides to annex the Philippines – keeping them under US control.
“And one night late it came to me this way… (1) that we could not give them back to Spain – that would be cowardly and dishonorable; (2) we could not turn them over to France or Germany… that would be bad for business and discreditable; (3) that we could not leave them to themselves – they were unfit for self-government… and (4) that there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them.”

6. William McKinley – Open Door
Helped tie Cuba to the US through the Platt Amendment
Proposed and supported the Open Door Policy in China, allowing all nations equal access to China’s trade and markets

7. Theodore Roosevelt – Big Stick
After McKinley’s assassination Teddy is thrust into the presidency
“Now look, that… cowboy is president of the United States!”
Brought energy and enthusiasm to the presidency

8. Theodore Roosevelt – Big Stick
Believes in military power and intervention for a successful American foreign policy
Makes other nations think twice before fighting or attacking
Promotes global peace
Increases US power around the world
Often quoted the African proverb “Speak softly and carry a big stick”
The U.S. has should intervene in nations whose political stability is threatened, after diplomatic measures have been tried.

9. Theodore Roosevelt – Big Stick
Toured the Great White Fleet (16 new battleships) around the world to show American naval strength
Warned Americans to not “sit huddled” and become “an assemblage of well to do huskers who care nothing for what happens beyond”

10. Theodore Roosevelt – Big Stick
Reminded Congress that the Monroe Doctrine was designed to prevent European meddling in the America
100 years later many countries in the hemisphere were still too weak to defend themselves
The United States therefore must use “international police power” to preserve peace and order and protect American interests.
This power would help protect weak nations (like those in Latin America) and was a direct extension of the Monroe Doctrine
Became known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
A corollary is a proposition that is a logical extension of a principle (taking it a step further)

11. Theodore Roosevelt – Big Stick
Established the Roosevelt Corollary
The US will intervene in Latin America to maintain stability in the western hemisphere.
This includes helping Latin Amer. Countries if they default (don’t pay) loans back to European nations.
An addition to the Monroe Doctrine
Sent ships to panama to prevent Columbian interference in the Panamanian revolution and protect US investments in the canal
Sent marines to the Dominican Republic to collect debt payments owed us
Supported the Open Door policy began by McKinley

12. Theodore Roosevelt – Big Stick
“chronic wrongdoing… may, in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the western hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may for the United States, however reluctantly … to the exercise of an international police force.”

13. William Howard Taft – Dollar Diplomacy
Practiced Dollar Diplomacy
To support the development of democracies and economic systems in Central America
Emphasized helping Latin American industry/infrastructure
“we must substitute dollars for bullets”

14. William Howard Taft – Dollar Diplomacy
Promoted education reform, transportation and health care as governor of the Philippines
Lessened the hostility of the Filipino people toward Americans
Supported the Open Door policy
Keep China independent to prevent Japan from becoming the dominate power in Asia
Sent marines into Nicaragua to support an unstable government and end civil unrest

15. Woodrow Wilson – Moral Diplomacy
Believed democracy was essential to a nation’s stability and prosperity
Believed the US should promote democracy to insure a peaceful world free of revolution
Lead the world by example

16. Woodrow Wilson – Moral Diplomacy
Strongly opposed imperialism
“we must strike a new note in international affairs” that “sheer honesty and even unselfishness… should prevail over nationalistic self seeking American foreign policy”

17. Woodrow Wilson – Moral Diplomacy
Armed political factions in Mexico and sent troops to overthrow corrupt government officials

18. Woodrow Wilson – Moral Diplomacy
Declares US neutrality at the outbreak of World War I but leads the US into WWI when reelected.
Sent diplomatic notes to Germany insisting that its government safeguard the lives of noncombatants and abandon unrestricted submarine warfare
“it is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war… but the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest to our hearts – for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations…”