1. American Imperialism and the Spanish American War

2. Agenda
1. Bell Ringer: What is passed during Wilson’s tenure in office?
2. Notes: Imperialism and America, Spanish American War
3. Quick Clip, Imperialism in the United States and the Spanish American War.
4. Yellow Journalism Excerpts
5. Political Cartoon Analysis, American Imperialism
6. Review

3. American Expansion
Imperialism- stronger nations extend economic, political or military control over weaker territories.
Desire for military strength
Expansion of the Navy made the US the third strongest naval power.
Thirst for new markets
Need for raw materials to create goods.
Belief in cultural superiority
Civilized Culture vs the savage? Social Darwinism plays a role.

5. Alaska and Hawaii
William Seward organizes the United States to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars.
Seward’s Folly?
Hawaii is also taken as a territory in
McKinley Tariff would eliminate duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar, unless it came into the Union.
Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown after promoting a “Hawaii for Hawaiians” agenda.
While President Cleveland didn’t support it, McKinley did, and this would lead to the annexation of Hawaii.

6. Cubans Rebel against Spain
We tried to buy Cuba in 1854, Spain said they’d rather see it sunk into the ocean.
Jose Marti counted in American intervention to free Cuba from Spanish control.
Spain responds by imprisoning 300,000 Cubans in camps.
Exaggerated accounts of these camp conditions were published as forms of yellow journalism.
Sensationalist writing to spur emotion over an issue.

7. The Spanish American War
U.S.S. Maine explodes in Havana harbor.
After the de Lome letter criticizing the president, many claimed the Spanish blew up the ship.
George Dewey would defeat the Spanish fleet in the Philippines.
William Sampson would lead a blockade of Cuba
Our Army was not nearly as adept as the Navy.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Teddy Roosevelt would resign his position to go fight on San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders.
John Hay “A Splendid Little War” only lasts four months. We gain Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Cuba received independence.