1. U.S. IMPERIALISM
LATE 1800’S TO
1920’S

2. Reasons for imperialism
Big Business
Businesses need raw materials they can not get in U.S.
Businesses are producing more then Americans need, need new markets to sell goods in
Influence of business on gov’t?
New Manifest Destiny
Frederick Jackson Turner - End of “frontier” in America: looking for new frontiers to conquer

3. Reasons for Imperialism - Missionaries
Social Darwinism: American way of life seen as “superior”; bring our culture to others
“White Man’s Burden”: Superior nations (and races) dominate inferior ones
Spread Democracy
Spread Christianity
Build schools & hospitals in China
Teach Christianity
Josiah Strong – Our Country: Its Possible Future and Present Crisis (1885)

4. Global Competition and Naval Strategy
Nationalism: more control = more power
Alfred T. Mahan: The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)
need stronger navy to protect trade Expand navy = steel ships
Need bases overseas to refuel & re-supply ships = Colonies in Pacific

5. Examples of U.S. Imperialism
Japan – 1854
Alaska – 1867
Hawaii – 1893 – 1898
China – 1899

6. The U.S. gained power and territory through:
1. Annexation
2. Victory in War
3. Purchase
4. Economic influence

7. Japan - 1854 Commodore Matthew Perry sails into Edo Bay
Demands to meet with dignitaries of the Tokugawa Shogunate
Japan is stunned by the modern ships (who’s guns are pointed at Edo)
Unequal Treaties – Japan opens 2 ports to U.S.

8. William Seward U.S. occupies Midway Island in Pacific
Purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867
$7.2 Million
“Seward’s Folly”
U.S. doesn’t even set up a gov’t until 1884
Redemption when gold is discovered in 1896

9. Hawaii Sugar plantations = $$$
Hawaiian sugar was allowed to enter U.S. markets tax free
U.S. also leases Pearl Harbor as a naval base in 1887
Hawaii can make no trade agreements with other countries
New tariff would force a tax on imported sugar from Hawaii = U.S. citizens who own plantations want U.S. to annex Hawaii
Queen of Hawaii refuses, leads to uprising by Americans in Hawaii: Queen is overthrown, becomes a territory of US
Annexed in 1898, state in 1959

10. China - 1899 Open Door Policy – John Hay
All European nations agree to:
Allow all nations to trade in individual “spheres of influence” = equal trading rights for all
Protect and uphold China’s customs and culture
U.S. wants access to all markets, while placating anti-imperialist at home
While all countries promise to protect China’s culture, in reality they simply exploit China – Leads to the Boxer Rebellion

11. Spanish – American War (1898)

12. Causes of Spanish American War
Background:
Resentment of Cubans toward Spanish rule
Spain imprisons thousands of Cubans in camps: 30% die
Americans call for end to Spanish rule in Cuba
U.S. has $50 million invested in Cuban plantations, BIG BUSINESS IS BEING EFFECTED

13. Causes of War (cont.) Monroe Doctrine
Attempt to get Spain out of the W. Hemisphere
Attitude: Jingoism: aggressive patriotism- calling for action in Cuba
“Yellow journalism” exaggerated or false stories in newspapers about horrors in Cuba: stir American anger
Pulitzer – NY World
Hearst - NY Journal
De Lome Letter (1898) – Letter to Spanish minister in U.S. criticizing McKinley
Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine

15. Explosion of the Maine

16. Sinking of the USS Maine: 266 Americans dead; blamed on Spanish: war declared

17. “A Splendid Little War”
War Message
End miseries in Cuba
Protect U.S. lives and property of U.S. in Cuba
“Injury” to commerce and trade
“Menace to our peace” due to Cuba unrest
Teller Amendment: US will not annex Cuba
4 months long; over 5,000 died most from infection & disease- NOT battle wounds
Theodore Roosevelt: “Rough Riders” charged w/ cavalry in Cuba

19. Results of War
Cuba granted “independence” from Spain- but US closely supervises – Platt Amendment
US gained PR (Caribbean) & Guam (Pacific)
U.S. paid Spain $20 million for Philippines
Role of press in war

20. How Independent Was Cuba? (Not very…)
Platt Amendment (1901) placed into their Constitution:
US must approve treaties b/t Cuba & other nations
Especially any financial deals
US power to intervene to protect its interests and maintain peace and stability in the area
US power to lease naval bases in Cuba

22. The Philippine “Insurrection”

23. The Philippines Fought alongside U.S. to defeat Spain on the islands
Expect their independence
U.S. does not plan on allowing them to be free
War between U.S. and Philippines ( )

24. Commodore
George Dewey
uprising against US led to thousands of deaths; controlled after 3 years

25. The Philippine Insurrection

26. Results Casualties U.S. controls the islands Independence
U.S. = close to 5,000 dead
Philippines = 20,000 military deaths
200 – 500k civilians die
U.S. controls the islands
Independence
1935 – becomes semi-autonomous
1945 – free from Japanese control
1946 – officially recognized by U.S.

27. Debate over Imperialism
Pro-Imperialism
Anti-Imperialism
Need colonies economically
Need bases in LA
Duty to bring civilization to others
Can’t give up territories (cowardly)
Est. US as a world power
Lodge, Mahan, TR
Too much $
Have enough problems here
Foreigners: can’t be assimilated
Will provoke more wars
Not democratic to control others
Anti-Imperialist League

28. Anti-Imperialist League
Grover Cleveland
Samuel Gompers
Andrew Carnegie
Mark Twain

29. Does the Constitution Apply to People in Territories?
“Insular Cases” SC ruled:
Does the Constitution follow the flag?
people in annexed areas don’t have same rights as Americans under Constitution
Congress will determine the rights of those people
Applies to Philippines and Puerto Rico

30. Theodore Roosevelt and Latin America
Panama Canal
Roosevelt Corollary
Big Stick Policy

31. Building the Panama Canal
1901 U.S. gained the right to build & control canal zone
Colombia refused to give up Panama
U.S. supported Panama’s revolt becomes independent
Panama signed treaty (Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty) giving U.S. right to build canal (99 yr. lease, returned in 1999)

35. Expanding US Policy in LA
Monroe Doctrine: warned foreign powers to stay out of L.A., no re-colonialization
Roosevelt Corollary:
European threats to intervene in L.A. to collect $
TR stated the Monroe Doctrine requires US to step in as int’l police power
U.S. would intervene in L.A. countries so Europeans did not

36. Expansion of US Power (cont.)
“Big Stick” Policy”
TR believed US can intervene to protect American interests
“Speak softly, but carry a big stick”
Great White Fleet (1907 – 1909)
Serves as the “big stick”
Tours the world to intimidate (esp. Japan)
Taft and Dollar diplomacy:
invest in L.A. and Asia
RRs in China, Debts in Nic.
FDR Good Neighbor Policy: improve relations

37. President Howard Taft (27) Republican [1909-1913]
Used Dollar Diplomacy
Sent troops to Honduras,
Dominican Republic &
Nicaragua to collect debts to
U.S. businesses
Did not follow Roosevelt’s
Progressive Policies