1. American Foreign Policy
A New Empire
American Foreign Policy

2. Annexation and Empire
Newly acquired land after the Spanish-American War: Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines
Debate over American ideals of independence OR ruling a foreign country without the consent of its people
Annexation- one country taking political, economic, or military control of another country

3. Annexation and Empire Pros- The Imperialists
Cons- The Anti- Imperialists
More markets for American goods
Business opportunities
Natural resources
Military bases
Help “less civilized” people
“Free oppressed people”
Cost of empire > economic benefits
Cheap foreign labor drives down American wages= unemployment
Imperialism violates American principles

4. Annexing the Philippines
McKinley decides to take-over the Philippines
Reasons:
Pride- Giving them back to Spain would be cowardly and dishonorable
Competition- Giving them over to another European power would be bad for business
Superiority- The Filipinos are unfit to rule themselves
No other choice but to take them, educate them, civilize them, and Christianize them

5. Filipino Response
Philippine-American War-Filipino troops attack American soldiers, lasted for 3 years
4,300 American soldiers die
50, ,000 Filipinos die
Americans set up reconcentration camps- Thousands die from disease or starvation
Governor of the Philippines, William Howard Taft tries to improve education, roads, bridges, transportation, health care
Philippines granted independence in 1946

6. Platt Amendment and Cuba
Amendment to the Cuban Constitution
Can’t make treaties with other nations that might weaken its independence
U.S. can set up naval bases in Cuba
Debts kept low to avoid European intervention
U.S. can intervene to protect Cuban independence

7. Foraker Act and Puerto Rico
Established government in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican government controlled by the U.S. but Puerto Ricans not U.S. citizens
Debate over Puerto Rican statehood still debated today

8. Open Door Policy
Sphere of Influence- area where a foreign nation controlled economic development
U.S. interested in developing
trade with Asian countries like
China
Open Door Policy
All countries are allowed to trade with China
Countries not allowed to interfere in the businesses of other countries

9. Panama Canal
Theodore Roosevelt believed a strong military presence discouraged fighting=peace
“Speak softly and carry a big stick”
Needed a faster way to Asia
Important for U.S. military power in the world
Canal would save time and money for the military AND commercial/business shipments

10. Roosevelt Corollary
U.S. concerned about European enforcement of debt repayment for Latin American countries. Ex. Venezuela
Roosevelt Corollary added on to the Monroe Doctrine
U.S. will intervene in Latin American countries to maintain economic and political stability in the Western Hemisphere
Prevent Europe from using debt repayment as an excuse to get involved in Latin America
Established the United States as an international “police power”

12. Dollar Diplomacy
Constant U.S. intervention in Latin America to protect U.S. interests and investments
Latin American countries begin to get fed up with American influence
William Howard Taft shifts intervention emphasis from military to industry
American businesses help Latin American businesses= everyone benefits
U.S. Benefits: American businesses increase trade and profit
Latin American Benefits- raise standard of living, help keep social order, bring wealth to the poor
Replaced European loans with American loans to keep Europe out