1. Imperialism
Chapter 9

2. Section Focus
How and why did the U.S. take a more active role in world affairs

3. WHY Copy European powers
Engage in Imperialism (1800’s), establish extractive economies
U.S. more concerned with expanding trade, getting rid of surplus goods
Social Darwinism – Don’t fall behind Europe
White Man’s Burden – U.S. culture is superior, has responsibility to share it with inferior races
Replaces the frontier for the American spirit

4. HOW Commodore Matthew Perry opens trade with Japan – 1853
Acquire islands in Pacific
Buy Alaska
Expand trade into Latin America
Build up navy – Alfred Mahan argues that all great empires have great navies (Great White Fleet), establish bases around world

5. Annexation of Hawaii American sugar cane plantations
Wealthy white planters can vote
Queen Liliuokalani takes away white’s political power
U.S. planters and Marines overthrow queen, establish new govt., ask U.S. to annex Hawaii
U.S. annexes Hawaii (1898) partly because of pressure from American businesses

6. Spanish-American War -1898 (Causes)
Cubans rebel against Spanish rule
Spanish brutality toward Cubans
Yellow Press sensationalize and exaggerate Spanish atrocities
William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer – New York newspaper publishers
Jingoism among U.S. citizens
Maine explodes – Spanish blamed

7. Spanish-American War (Key Battles)
Manila Bay – U.S. navy defeats Spanish navy
San Juan Hill – Teddy Roosevelt and Rough Riders become heroes in victory

8. Spanish-American War (Effects)
Treaty of Paris – Cuba gains independence, U.S. gains Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico
Debate over imperialism vs. anti-imperialism
U.S. gains empire, new foreign policy and role in world affairs

9. Imperialism (Asia) Philippines China Japan
Filipinos grew disillusioned with America
Began an insurrection, fighting for independence
More Americans die than in Spanish-American War
China
Nations carved up China into Spheres of Influence
Boxer Rebellion
U.S. favors Open Door Policy (free trade)
Japan
Rising power in Asia and Pacific
Roosevelt negotiates treaty to end Russo-Japanese War
“Gentlemen’s Agreement” to limit Japanese emigration and segregation
Great White Fleet – New U.S. navy sent on tour of world to project American power and protect interests

10. Imperialism (Latin America)
Cuba – Platt Amendment – Restricted rights of Cuba
Foraker Act – U.S. sets up Puerto Rico govt., citizens have limited rights
Big Stick Diplomacy – Roosevelt
Military achieves goals
Roosevelt Corollary – U.S. acts as police force in Americas
Panama Canal – Quick travel b/w Atlantic and Pacific
Dollar Diplomacy – Taft
Investing in Latin America, substituting “dollars for bullets”
Moral Diplomacy – Wilson
Focus on human rights and integrity, not conquest and expansion/imperialism