1. “Just beat it” --Michael Jackson
Intro to Imperialism
“Just beat it”
--Michael Jackson

2. Driving Forces of Imperialism
Imperialism – forceful extension of a nation's authority over a territory through economic, political or military conquest
Economic Benefit
Military Power/Safety
Moral Reasons
Social/Cultural
Expansion of the Frontier/Exploration

3. Expansion
Frontier Thesis: created by Frederick Jackson Turner, with the closing of the American frontier in 1890 US needed new territories to explore

4. Military
To keep up, America had to acquire colonies which required a powerful navy to protect its overseas colonies
Mahanism (1890) – Named after Alfred Mahan, U.S. Naval officer, who argued that naval power was the key to success in international politics
U.S. borders two oceans (Atlantic and Pacific) therefore needed two naval fleets
Naval arms race developed between Europe and the US

5. Social/Cultural
Social Darwinism –strong nations advanced, weak nations fall
America and Europe used this theory to say their advanced technology was a sign of superiority over weaker people and nations
“White Man’s Burden” – a common belief that it was the moral responsibility of advanced nations to civilize primitive people (people of color)

7. MO’ LAND, MO’ PROBLEMZ
Japan (1853) – Commodore Matthew Perry forced Japan out of a 200-year isolation from the world  opened up Japan and Asia for trade
Alaska (1867) – acquired by Secretary of State Seward, the United States purchased Alaska from the Russia
Hawaii – since the mid-1800s, American planters had established sugarcane plantations in Hawaii
1891 – Queen Liliuokalani requests that the U.S. annex them,  President Cleveland opposed imperialism so refused
1898 – President McKinley annexes Hawaii  wants to build a military base at Pearl Harbor

8. Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution (1895) –Spanish- owned Cuba launched a revolution against Spain
In response, Spain began rounding up civilians in rural areas (nearly 300,000) into reconcentration camps to keep a close eye on them  thousands die from disease or malnutrition
Teller Amendment: US would not establish permanent control over Cuba
Succeeded by Platt Amendment which gave US the right to intervene in all Cuban affairs

9. Yellow Journalism
Use of sensationalized and exaggerated reporting used attract readers
Journalist William Randolph Hearst competed heavily with Joseph Pulitzer for newspaper ratings
Stories of the reconcentration camps spread quickly thanks to newspapers, turning public opinion against Spain

10. Reasons for War with Spain
Yellow Journalism – stirred the pot
U.S.S. Maine (Feb. 1898) – President McKinley sent the battleship to Havana harbor to protect American interests and prevent other nations from taking the island it explodes 3 weeks after arriving killing 260 men
Press blames Spanish

11. Spanish American War (Apr-Aug 1898)
War in the Pacific
Within a few hours, US engages the Spanish fleet in the Philippines and takes over the Philippines without losing a man!  Guam is also seized

12. War in the Caribbean
Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt called the “Rough Riders” helped capture this important Spanish stronghold in Cuba
Spanish fleet is defeated  U.S. occupied nearby Puerto Rico a few weeks later

13. End of the War
Treaty of Paris 1898 – Ended the war and gave US Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Cuba remained under American military occupation
After defeating the Spanish, the United States became a world power.