1. Chapter Notes

2. 11/15/2018

3. Imperialism
Late 1880’s US big business men felt US should join other nations of Europe and establish overseas colonies.
Similar to Manifest Destiny
Imperialism: policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations
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4. Spread and Goals Africa prime target for European nations
By 20th century only Ethiopia and Liberia were free
Asia becomes next focus
Causes of Imperialism:
Desire for military strength
Desire for new markets
Desire for cultural superiority
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5. Military Strength
US decides to build up military presence around world because other nations are doing so
Alfred T. Mahan: US Navy leader who believed that US had to build up navy to compete with other nations
US does this and becomes 3rd largest naval power
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6. New Markets and Cultural Superiority
Americans are making more products (big business) and want to have more people to sell products to so profits can increase
Social Darwinism, racism, and desire to spread American beliefs (including Christianity) fuel Imperialism
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7. Seward’s Folly
1867: William Seward (Sec of State) arranges for US to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million
Many in government thought this was useless land and a waste of $$$
“Seward’s Icebox”
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8. Hawaii
1867 US buys Midway Islands in the Pacific (1300 miles north Hawaii), nothing there
Since 1790’s US had used Hawaiian islands as trading post and stopping point in trade with China
1800s set up sugar plantations
By mid-1800’s US sugar plantations make up most of islands wealth and these owners want the US to annex Hawaii
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9. US takes Hawaii--stop
Since 1875 US able to import sugar from Hawaii without a tax, in 1890 McKinley Tariff ends this
US sugar growers in Hawaii now have competition with US sugar growers (not happy)
Suggest annexation so don’t have extra tax
1887 US builds naval base at Pearl Harbor
1887 King Kalakau grants voting rights only to wealthy land owners
1891, Queen Liliuokalani tries to get rid US business men
US business and gov’t incite a revolution, Queen Lil kicked off throne, Sanford B. Dole put in charge
Cleveland hesitant to annex, but Mckinley isn't
1898 Hawaii annexed by US
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10. Spain, Cuba, and the US
Late 1800s Spain is a declining power, lost most of its colonies
US has long been interested in Cuba (owned by Spain), tried to buy it several times, Spain said NO!
1868, 1878 Cuba rebels against Spain (US encourages this)
1886 Slavery ended in Cuba, US sets up sugar cane plantations
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12. Causes of Spanish-American War
1895 Second Cuban fight for Independence
Spain sends General Valerian Weyler to restore order
Does so violently (puts citizens in concentration camps)
Americans shocked by his brutality
Yellow Journalism:
Pulitzer and Hearst have their newspapers cover this story, VERY exaggerated
Causes lots of US sympathy for Cuba
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13. Causes of War
When McKinley takes office many cries for War with Spain, McKinley tries to talk it out, gets Weyler sent out of Cuba, BUT…..
Feb 1898 NY Journal publishes letter from Spanish ambassador to the US (Enrique Dupuy De Lome) in which he calls McKinley weak and other bad names
US mad, Spain apologizes
“De Lome Letter”
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14. Causes of War USS Maine (US ship stationed in waters outside Cuba)
Feb 15, 1898 ship blows up, killing more than 260
US blames Spain
“Remember the Maine”
US ready for War!
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15. The War!
April 9, 1898 Spain agrees to all US demands, US says “we don’t care”
April 20, 1898 US declares War on Spain
US first invades Philippines (islands in Pacific that Spain owns)
George Dewey leads attack
Aug 1898 US wins Philippines
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16. The War! June 1898 US troops land in Cuba
17,000 troops (including the “Rough Riders” team led by soon to be President TR)
July 1, 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill (major land battle of war) aid US in winning war
Aug 12, 1898, cease fire
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17. Treaty of Paris 1898 Treaty of Paris 1898 Cuba is free US gets Guam
US gets Puerto Rico
US pays $20 million for the
Philippines
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