1. America Builds an Empire
American Imperialism
America Builds an Empire

2. American Imperialism
What is Imperialism? Imperialism- When a more powerful country uses influence or force on weaker, poorer countries.

3. American Imperialism
Alfred Thayer Mahan
Naval officer who believed in the theory of seapower
Mahan said that the U.S. needed:
A strong navy
Island bases
A canal to shorten the trip around South America

4. American Imperialism
Alaska was purchased by the United States from Russia in 1867 for 7.2 million
This comes out to only $0.02 cents per acre!

5. American Imperialism
William Seward – United States secretary of state from who negotiated the purchase of Alaska Seward’s Folly – name that was mockingly given to the purchase of Alaska. Many people felt that it was a waste of money, that Alaska was nothing but tundra

6. American Imperialism
Why were they wrong? – Alaska is rich in natural resources Timber - gold - oil

7. American Imperialism
Hawaii – annexed in 1898
Why was Hawaii important?
Economically – link between the U.S. and the Pacific to improve trade
Militarily – Great natural harbor for the navy – would later become the site of Pearl Harbor

9. Queen Liliʻuokalani was removed from power by an all
American Imperialism
How did the U.S. acquire Hawaii?
Queen Liliʻuokalani was
removed from power by an all
white group led by Sanford Dole. The U.S. sent a company of marines and the queen resigned. Hawaii was annexed by President William McKinley in 1898

10. American Imperialism – Section 2
Cuban Revolution – Cuba was struggling for independence from Spain.
Public opinion in America was split
Some people wanted America to intervene to maximize business profits and to help the Cuban people
Others wanted the U.S. to stay out of the conflict and remain at peace

11. American Imperialism
Yellow Journalism – Pulitzer and Hearst published sensationalized stories that heightened tensions between the U.S. and Spain

12. American Imperialism
De Lome Letter – letter written by the Spanish ambassador that was critical of U.S. president McKinley.
It was published in newspapers, eventually leading to De Lome’s resignation

13. American Imperialism
Sinking of the Maine
When a riot broke out in Havana, the U.S. sends the U.S.S. Maine to protect American interests and citizens

14. Sinking of the Maine On Feb 15th, 1898, the U. S. S
Sinking of the Maine On Feb 15th, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana harbor, killing 260 sailors. Newspapers would blame the Spanish

15. American Imperialism
When the United States Blockaded Cuba on April 21st, Spain declared War April 23rd. The first battle of the war was the Battle of Manila Bay – in the Philippines George Dewey and his Pacific fleet defeated the Spanish with only one casualty.

16. CUBA

17. American Imperialism
The biggest problem faced by U.S. troops in Cuba was disease – especially yellow fever, carried by mosquitos.
345 were killed in combat
2,565 were killed by disease

18. The entire war only lasted 3 months
American Imperialism
Rough Riders – name for the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry. Formed with the help of future president, Theodore Roosevelt to fight the Spanish in Cuba
The entire war only lasted 3 months

19. American Imperialism
Treaty of Paris (1898) – Cuba was given protectorate status. Protectorate- a country who’s defense is provided for by a larger, more powerful country

20. American Imperialism
Teller Resolution- passed by Congress and stated that the U.S. could not annex Cuba.
Platt Amendment- Stipulated the conditions for the withdraw of U.S. troops from Cuba
U.S. troops leave Cuba
U.S. reserves the right to intervene in Cuban affairs
U.S. leases Guantanamo Bay for a naval base

21. American Imperialism
Spain cedes Puerto Rico to the U.S.
Foraker Act –
Dictated the terms for U.S. citizenship of Puerto Ricans
Set up the government of Puerto Rico

22. American Imperialism
Spain also ceded the pacific island of Guam to the United States The United States also received the Philippines from Spain. The U.S. pays Spain 20 million for it

23. American Imperialism
The U.S. criticized Spain for suppressing the revolution in Cuba. When a revolt breaks out in the Philippines, the United States does the same thing In 1899 a war is fought between U.S. troops and Philippine rebels. It finally ends in 1902, with the Philippines finally becoming an American territory

24. American Imperialism
Commodore Perry – Naval officer who entered Tokyo bay in 1853 to convince the Japanese to trade with the U.S.

25. American Imperialism
Open Door Policy- foreign policy that stated all nations should have equal access to trade with the Chinese Boxer Rebellion- in 1899 the Chinese revolted against foreign influence. A coalition of imperial powers defeats the Chinese.

26. American Imperialism
Monroe Doctrine (1823)– No European influence in Western Hemisphere Roosevelt Corollary (1904)– The U.S. will intervene in conflicts between European powers and countries in the Western Hemisphere

27. American Imperialism Big Stick Diplomacy-
The idea of negotiating peacefully but also pressuring nations with a powerful military
“Speak softly and carry a big stick”

28. American Imperialism
Great White Fleet – 16 U.S. Battleships completed a circumnavigation of the globe. The ships were painted white. This was a show of force to the world

29. American Imperialism
Dollar Diplomacy – The use of economic power to influence the policy of other nations Missionary/Moral Diplomacy – The United States will not recognize any nation that is hostile to American interests or other nations.

30. American Imperialism
Why was Panama Canal important? – Made travel between Atlantic + Pacific Oceans much shorter
How did the U.S. acquire the Panama Canal?
Panamanians started a revolt against Colombia, Roosevelt supported the rebels in exchange for being allowed to build and operate the Panama canal