1. American Imperialism, 1898-1914

2. What is Imperialism?

3. Causes of the Spanish-American War
Decreased isolationism in U.S. public and Congress
Cuban Revolution ( ):
U.S. investments threatened
Spanish authorities commit atrocities against Cuban civilians
Yellow journalism
Highlighted Spanish atrocities and lack of humanitarianism

4. USS Maine Explosion - February 1898:
U.S. public angered - blame placed on Spain
“Free Cuba!”
“Remember the Maine!”
President William McKinley
Congress declares war on Spain -- April 1898

5. Fighting the War Geography
Spanish Empire - Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam
U.S. strategic interests
Panama Canal, Hawaii

6. Commodore George Dewey Commander U. S
Commodore George Dewey Commander U.S. Asiatic Squadron Spanish-American War

7. Battle of Santiago (Cuba)
Amphibious landing
Rough Riders’ Teddy Roosevelt
Leads charge at the Battle of San Juan Hill
Spanish governor orders fleet to flee harbor - 1 July 1898

8. Battle of Santiago 3 July 1898

9. Battle of Santiago On 3 July 1898, Spanish make their run
Inferior Spanish fleet annihilated by superior, better managed U.S. fleet
Spanish losses 160 killed, 1800 captured
American losses 1 killed, 1 wounded
Peace treaty signed 10 Dec 1898
Spanish home fleet recalled while en route to the Philippines fearing North Atlantic Fleet

11. Results and lessons
Spanish home fleet recalled while en route to the Philippines
U.S. technological superiority overwhelms Spanish
U.S. becomes dominant power in the Caribbean Sea
Improvement needed in fire control and amphibious doctrine

12. U.S. Empire
From Spain: Possession of Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines. Naval base in Cuba
Formerly independent: Wake, Hawaii, Samoa
U.S. in undisputed control of the Caribbean

13. American Pacific Territories Coaling Stations for Ships

14. Roosevelt Corollary Constant interventions by Navy and Marines:
Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic
Cuba - Platt Amendment
Vera Cruz, Mexico
“Yankee Imperialism” despised by many Latin Americans

15. Panama Canal Renewed U.S. desire for canal in Central America
Link between Atlantic and Pacific Fleets
Need for the canal is highlighted by USS Oregon’s long transit to the Battle of Santiago
Strong support from President Theodore Roosevelt
Construction of the canal begins in 1904
Completed in 1914
Increased importance of U.S. control of Caribbean Sea
Protection of Panama Canal is vital to defense of the U.S.

16. U.S. “Open Door” policy in China:
Policy has two aspects
(1) Ensure territorial integrity of China
(2) Ensure free trade in China for all countries.
China’s Boxer Rebellion
U.S. Marine Regiment attached to U.S. Army force protecting Westerners
Counter European and Japanese attempts at “spheres of influence”
Yangtze River Patrol - U.S. gunboats protect American commerce

17. The Rise of Japanese Sea Power

18. President Theodore Roosevelt and Rear Admiral Robley D
President Theodore Roosevelt and Rear Admiral Robley D. “Fighting Bob” Evans Prior to the sailing of the Great White Fleet

19. The Great White Fleet

20. Route of the Great White Fleet: (1907-08)

21. HMS Dreadnought
First all “big gun” Battleship
- Eight 12-inch guns

22. HMS Dreadnought

23. Dawn of Aviation Wright Brothers -- Kitty Hawk, North Carolina: 1903
Eugene Ely
First flight of an aircraft from a ship in 1910
First landing of an aircraft on a ship in 1911