1. Unit 8
Imperialism

2. The Debate Over Imperial Expansion
Since America had once been a colony, many Americans opposed imperialism on principle. Yet newly acquired territories from Spain turned the United States into an imperial power
Arguments of the Imperialists
1. Colonies were needed to provide raw materials and as markets for American industry.
America had a moral obligation to help colonial peoples and spread Christianity and
American institutions. It was an extended part of our “Manifest Destiny” as a superior
nation.
3. Americans should grab remaining territories as colonies before European powers did
Alfred Thayer Mahan argued that colonies would provide strategic naval bases and
encourage trade; America would develop a larger merchant marine and strengthen its
navy; increased naval power would bring wealth and power.

3. The Debate Over Imperial Expansion, cont.
Arguments of the Anti-Imperialists
Americans had fought British imperialism and should not become imperialists
themselves
2. Imperialism was anti-democratic
3. Colonies created a danger of being pulled into future global conflicts
Organized labor feared cheap colonial labor would lead to lower wages in the United
States
The American Anti-Imperialist League included prominent members such as Mark
Twain and Andrew Carnegie

4. The Spanish American War (1898)
Background:
Cuba was a Spanish colony. Cubans wanted their independence and rebelled in Spain suppressed Cuban guerilla warfare with brutal force
Motives for Intervention: Americans were motivated by both humanitarian concerns and self-interest to help Cuba.
Sensational works of yellow journalism (Hearst and Pulitzer) distorted events, which fanned the American desire to intervene
Some Americans argued that their business investments and opportunities in Cuba needed protection
Others believed Cuba would provide greater security and wealth to the United States

5. The Spanish American War (1898), cont.
Immediate Causes:
Spanish ambassador De Lome’s letter was leaked to the press. De Lome criticized President McKinley as incompetent
USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor. Yellow journalists blamed Spain
The De Lome letter and the explosion of the American battleship fueled popular support for a more aggressive US foreign policy.
President McKinley gave in to popular pressure and asked Congress for a declaration of war on Spain.

6. The Spanish American War (1898), cont.
Course of War:
US quickly defeated Spain with the aid of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders” in Cuba; Commodore Dewey quickly defeated the Spanish navy in the Philippines
Consequences:
US annexed the former Spanish colonies: Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam
Based on Teller Amendment, Cuba remained independent but came under indirect US control

7. The American Colonial Empire
New US territories in the Pacific and Caribbean provided raw materials, coaling stations and naval stations for the US
Philippines:
Instead of granting independence, the United States annexed this former Spanish colony.
Filipinos fought a guerilla war for self-rule for several years. The United States finally ended the rebellion in 1902 and assisted in rebuilding the defeated colony.
The Jones Act in 1916 announced that the United States would eventually grant the Philippines its independence.

8. The American Colonial Empire, cont.
Hawaii:
These islands provided a useful coaling station in the Pacific Ocean.
American merchants established profitable sugar cane and pineapple plantations.
When Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii began her rein in 1893, she sought to rewrite her country’s constitution.
With the help of the US Marines, American landowners in Hawaii forcibly removed the queen and set up a republic. The US Congress voted not to annex Hawaii but the anti-imperialist tide then turned.
After the United States defeated Spain, Congress approved the annexation of Hawaii. The United States also annexed Guam and Samoa in the Pacific Ocean.

9. The American Colonial Empire, cont.
Puerto Rico:
Became an American possession in the Caribbean
Cuba:
Although Cuban independence was guaranteed by the Teller Amendment, Cuba became an American protectorate.
In 1901, the Platt Amendment gave the United Sates military bases in Cuba and the right to intervene in Cuban affairs at any time.

10. US Foreign Policy in East Asia
China:
European powers had established their own “spheres of influence” in China. Americans feared European powers might cut off their trade in China.
In 1899, Secretary or State John Hay declared the “Open Door” policy, stating that trading rights in China were open to all foreign powers
In 1900, groups of Chinese known as Boxers threatened foreigners in China.
An international military expedition, which included the United States, put down the Boxer Rebellion. However, the United States announced it would oppose any attempts to turn China into colonies.

11. US Foreign Policy in East Asia (cont.)
Japan:
Commodore Perry had opened Japan to the west, which then adapted Western ways, including creation of a modern army and navy.
Japan defeated China in the Sino-Japanese War, giving it control of Taiwan and Korea.
Japan next defeated the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War. President Theodore Roosevelt meditated the peace negotiation, and the two sides agreed on the Treaty of Portsmouth (1905).
The United States concluded the Gentlemen’s Agreement (1907), Halting Japanese immigration to America.

12. US Foreign Policy in Latin America
Panama Canal:
Influenced by the ideas of Alfred Thayer Mahan and the experience of the Spanish-American War, Theodore Roosevelt and other US leaders wanted to build an American-controlled canal through Central America for easier access between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
At first, Roosevelt negotiated with Columbia to build the canal across the Isthmus of Panama. When talks stalled, Roosevelt supported a Panamanian revolution.
In exchange for recognition and protection, the newly formed country of Panama granted perpetual control of the Panama Canal Zone to the United States.
This project firmly established American power while antagonizing Latin American nations. The Canal took a decade to build and was the most complicated engineering project of its day.

13. US Foreign Policy in Latin America, cont.
Caribbean Region:
The Monroe Doctrine (1823) had stated that the United States would oppose any new European intervention in the Western Hemisphere.
At the turn of the 20th century, debt-ridden Latin American nations were unable to pay their European investors. European powers in turn sent military ships to collect their debts. The US government appointed itself the arbiter and collected customs duties to repay the debts and avoid European interference in the Western Hemisphere.
This approach, known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine of the “Big Stick” policy, asserted that the United States would intervene in any Latin American disputes with foreign powers by acting as “policeman.”

14. US Foreign Policy in Latin America, cont.
“Dollar Diplomacy”:
The US government also used its economic might to tighten its control over Latin America.
Using Dollar Diplomacy, U.S. corporations and the government forced open Latin American markets.
Mexico:
Revolutionaries overthrew Mexico’s dictator in 1910.
Three years later, General Huerta and the Mexican army overthrew the elected leadership.
President Wilson refused to recognize the new government, and instead adopted a policy of “watchful waiting”. He did not need to wait long: Huerta fled the country and Wilson recognized the new government.
When Mexican revolutionaries fought back by targeting Americans, Wilson sent US soldiers, led by General Pershing, across the border to chase the rebel leader Pancho Villa; they never caught him.