1. America as a World Power 1867 - 1920
Chapter 22
America as a World Power

2. Essential Question
How did America’s growing power affect its relationships with other nations?

3. I. The United States Gains Overseas Territories
Imperialism: building an empire by founding colonies or conquering other nations (Europe)
Isolationism: avoiding involvement in the affairs of other countries (U.S.)
By late 1800’s, U.S. needed to expand to keep economy strong
Capt. Alfred Mahan publishes The Influence of Sea Power upon History: argued for a strong navy to protect economic interests and naval bases around the world

4. Pacific Expansion 1867 - 1900 Areas acquired by the U.S.
Alaska (Seward’s Folly) – fur, timber, minerals
Midway Islands – naval base
Samoa – naval base
Hawaii – sugar, naval base
Areas opened/controlled by the U.S.
Japan – trade opened with U.S. in 1853 – begins a 40-year modernization toward Japan becoming an imperial power
China – spheres of influence: areas where foreign nations controlled resources
Open Door Policy: all nations should have equal access to trade
Boxer Rebellion: Chinese nationalists angered by foreign influence, killed foreign born people – U.S. and Europe invade

5. II. The Spanish-American War
Yellow Journalism: sensational, often exaggerated news stories
Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst
Vivid stories of Spanish brutality toward Cuba
De Lôme Letter – Spanish minister to U.S. called President McKinley “weak”
U.S.S. Maine – battleship blown up in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898 – Spain blamed
“Remember the Maine!”

6. War in the Philippines
Filipinos, like the Cubans, were revolting against Spain
May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey destroys entire Spanish Pacific fleet – no American killed
U.S. troops and Filipino rebels take over led by Emilio Aquinaldo

7. War in the Caribbean U.S. Army not prepared Rough Riders
Not enough rifles or bullets
Wool uniforms
Ate canned meat from Civil War
Yellow fever – more soldiers died of disease than battle wounds
Rough Riders
Led by Theodore Roosevelt
Captured San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill overlooking Santiago

8. United States Gains Territories
Spain signs cease fire on August 12, 1898
Philippines
Wanted freedom, but became a territory of U.S. until 1946
Filipinos fight guerrilla war with U.S. up through 1902 – 4200 American soldiers killed
Puerto Rico
Wanted freedom, but became a territory of U.S.
Cuba
Teller Amendment (1898): United States would not annex Cuba
Platt Amendment (1899): allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs – lasted until 1959

9. III. The United States and Latin America
Panama Canal:
Connects Atlantic and Pacific oceans
U.S. supported Panama’s independence from Colombia
Construction began in 1904 – took 10 years to build

10. U.S. Policy Toward Latin America
“Speak softly and carry a big stick”
Theodore Roosevelt believed U.S. should play active role in Western Hemisphere
Monroe Doctrine (1823): warned Europe to stay out of Latin American affairs
Roosevelt Corollary (1904): U.S. can intervene in Latin American affairs

11. U.S. Interests in Latin America
Dollar Diplomacy: policy of President Taft – influencing governments through economic intervention
Moral Diplomacy: policy of President Wilson – promote democracy in Latin America, but use force if necessary
Mexican Revolution: struggle for power U.S. invades Mexico to prevent weapons arriving from Europe and to capture rebel leader Pancho Villa