1. Imperialism
Focus Question: How and why did the United States take a more active role in world affairs?

2. What is imperialism?
The idea that a stronger nation should control weaker nations
How do you think Imperialism is going to affect the United States? How will it affect other countries?

3. Causes of Imperialism 1. Making $$$
Wanted the U.S. to get raw materials and natural resources.
(extractive economies)
Also create new markets for US goods

4. Causes of Imperialism 2. Belief that we are “better”
Imperialists used ideas of racial, national and cultural superiority to justify imperialism.
Social Darwinists: survival of the fittest

5. How to become an Imperial Power
Make our navy stronger
Alfred T. Mahan: argued that the most powerful countries in the world had the strongest navies – if the US wants to be a major player in the world they need a strong navy too!
This means the US needs to establish military bases worldwide!

6. Why did the U.S.
become an imperial
power?

7. Places the U.S. acquires: We Buy Alaska!
William Seward buys Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (1867)
Journalists nicknamed it Sewards’ Folly and Sewards’ Icebox.

9. First Steps Toward World Power
Latin America
Pan-American Conference & Highway
Keep Britain out of Venezuela (Monroe Doctrine)
Pacific:
Commodore Matthew Perry opens up Japan in 1853 with fleet of warships
Possession of Midway Islands
Trade treaties with Hawaii

10. Places the U.S. acquires: The U.S. gets Hawaii
U.S. involved with Hawaii since the 1700s in the Sugar Industry
American planters convinced Hawaiian King to amend the constitution so voting rights are limited to rich landowners (white planters)

11. The U.S. Gets Hawaii
Hawaiian King died- his sister Queen Liliuokalani, took over.
She resented the power of planters and abolished (ended) the constitution that gave power to white planters.

12. The U.S. Gets Hawaii
American Planters used violence to overthrow the Queen!
Sanford Dole asked the President to annex Hawaii
President McKinley annexes (adds) Hawaii in 1898.

13. Theodore Roosevelt (Big Stick Diplomacy)
The idea that America will control the world by policing it.
“Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick”

14. The Spanish-American War
FOCUS QUESTION: What were the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War?

15. Cuba American Interest in Cuba (colony of Spain)
US invests in sugar cane plantations in Cuba - $$
The Second War for Independence
In 1895, Cuba, led by Jose Marti, fights Spain for independence; wants US to join their cause
Mixed U.S. opinion – support Spain and keep investments safe or help Cuba win freedom?

16. Spanish Misrule in Cuba

17. Causes of the War 1. Yellow Journalism
Spain sends General Valeriano Weyler to restore order in Cuba- many rebels die in concentration camps
William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World wrote exaggerated accounts of the fighting between Cuban rebels and Spanish
They were in a competition to sell more papers than the other; wild headlines make Americans sympathize with Cubans

18. What happens to New York Journal Sales
What happens to New York Journal Sales? Why do you think this is the case?

19. William Randolph Hearst
“Yellow Journalism”
Joseph Pulitzer
Hearst to Frederick Remington: You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war!
William Randolph Hearst

20. Causes of the War Continued
2. The U.S.S. Maine Explodes
President McKinley ordered USS Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens
February 1898, ship blew up; 260 killed
Nobody knew why the ship exploded, but American newspapers claim Spain did it

22. Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain!
Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

23. The Spanish-American War (1898): “That Splendid Little War”- only lasts 16 weeks!

24. Rough Riders (cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt)
Help win the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba
Paves way for US victory; Spain surrenders (fighting only lasted 16 weeks!)

25. Charge of the Rough Riders

26. The Teller Amendment
Adopted in Renounced any American intention to annex Cuba
But…

27. Treaty of Paris – Ends the War
Grants Cuba independence from Spain
Spain gives Puerto Rico and Guam to US
US pays Spain $20 million for annexation of the Philippine Islands
Significance: The US becomes an imperial power with colonies!!

28. Platt Amendment (1901)
Why: Americans didn’t think Cuba could rule itself
US kept its military forces in Cuba until the country agreed to adopt the Platt measures
Terms of the Platt Amendment:
US had the right to intervene in Cuba
US could buy or lease land for naval bases