1. American Imperialism

2. Preset: Define foreign policy.
What is the general purpose of foreign policy for a nation?
Why is the United States currently involved in Afghanistan and Iraq?
Why does the United States maintain good relations with Israel and Saudi Arabia?
Define imperialism.
Is imperialism an example of foreign policy?

3. Imperialism
Creation of global empires through the establishment of colonies
Africa, SW Asia, South Asia, SE Asia – targeted regions by European powers
Global Empire = sign of Great Power
Created fierce competition among Great Powers to keep and defend and increase size of empire

6. Why US Imperialism? Export markets –business interests
Farmers and industries sell surplus goods
Relieve unemployment
Source of raw materials for industry
Alfred T. Mahan – The Influence of Sea Power upon History
US needed strong navy to defend trade lanes
US needed naval bases in Caribbean & Pacific, and a canal to link the Atlantic & Pacific
US needed naval bases to act as coaling stations to project power

7. Areas of American Imperialism
Central America
Caribbean
Philippines
Hawaii
China

8. Hawaii
1875 – protectorate of US – guaranteed Hawaiian independence, trade rights, Pearl Harbor
Sugar and Pineapple plantations
Sugar growers wanted US to annex to avoid tariffs

9. US business leaders (Sanford Dole) overthrew Queen Liliuokalani – opposed change to constitution that eliminated property clause for voting
Hawaii annexed in 1898

10. Spanish-American War (1898)
Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines – colonies of Spanish Empire
US – heavy investment in sugar in Cuba
US – wanted stable Cuba to protect investment, Caribbean, canal
US – supported revolutionary movement in Cuba – Jose Marti (Cuban journalist)

11. “Yellow journalism” – American newspapers wrote stories against Spanish government – concentration camps
USS Maine – US battleship exploded in Havana harbor – Spanish gov. blamed
WAR!
US defeated Spain

13. Results: Cuba – protectorate of US – increased US investment
Guantanamo Bay – Caribbean naval base
Puerto Rico – annexed
Guam - annexed
Philippines – annexed for $20 million – became East Asian colony
Philipino insurrection against US led by Emilio Aguinaldo - US put down insurrection

14. Central America Panama
US supported rebellion in Columbia for independent Panama (1903)
Why?– canal to link Atlantic and Pacific – trade and navy
Panama – republic – protectorate of US

15. Roosevelt Corollary (1904)
Gave greater strength to the Monroe Doctrine
“Big Stick” Diplomacy
Western Hemisphere = American sphere of influence – off limits to European intervention

16. US Empire

18. Question: Review the naval philosophy of Alfred Mahan.
How did the imperialistic actions of the United States reflect the philosophy of Mahan?

19. China 1899 – “Open Door Policy” – John Hay (Sec. of State)
China should be open to trade by all countries – no interference in spheres of influence
1900 – US troops helped put down the “Boxer Rebellion”

20. 1900 – the Boxer Rebellion
Chinese nationalists (“the Boxers”) targeted missionaries and symbols of foreign intervention (RR, businesses)
Resented foreign influence and control of Chinese government
Ching dynasty lost Mandate of Heavan
Multinational force defeated “the Boxers” – protect foreign investment in China

21. Chinese govt. assessed a fine of 67
Chinese govt. assessed a fine of 67.5 million pounds to cover damages to foreign investment
China remained under the control of western nations