1. THE BUILDING OF AN AMERICAN EMPIRE
American Imperialism and the
Spanish-American War

2. AMERICAN IMPERIALISM Fueling Factors
1. Economic competition among industrialized nations.
2. Political and Military Competition
3. A belief of racial and cultural superiority.
4. Humanitarian Efforts: Build schools, hospitals etc.
European and Asian Nations had Imperialistic intentions.
GREAT BRITAIN LEADS WAY “ the sun never sets on the British Empire”

3. A THIRST FOR NEW MARKETS
Advances in technology allowed US farmers and factories to produce far more than citizens could consume.
America searched for additional resources and new markets.
U.S. Foreign trade boosted to $1.5 billion by 1900

4. DESIRE FOR MILITARY STRENGTH
Watching other industrialized nations grow militarily, the U.S. set forth to match their efforts.
U.S. Navy grew in power.
U.S.S. Maine and Oregon
Goal: Protect shipping lanes.
Leads to construction of the Panama Canal
The Great White Fleet

5. RACIAL AND CULTURAL SUPERIORITY
Some Americans pushed to expand Anglo-Saxon values.
They argued it is America’s responsibility to spread Christianity and civilize the people of the world.
View point was highly racist.

6. THE UNITED STATES TAKES HAWAII
Hawaii has always been used as a merchant stop on the way to the Far East.
Over time Christian schools, and churches were developed on the islands.
Soon white Americans controlled ¾’s of sugar in Hawaii.
By 1900 foreigners outnumbered the natives 3:1
American businessmen forced change in government to financial benefit American businesses.

7. THE FALL OF ROYALTY Hawaiian King Kalakaua die in 1891.
Sister, Queen Liliuokalani succeeded him.
She established a pro native Hawaiian constitution.
U..S. forces seized the government under John L. Stevens orders. (1893)
President Cleveland restored the Queen to power and recognized the Republic of Hawaii.
President McKinley favored annexation w/o a Hawaiian vote.
1898 Hawaii became a U.S. Territory.

8. IMAGES OF HAWAII FROM A REPUBLIC TO A TERRITORY
King Kalakaua
John l. Smith
Queen Liluokalani

9. United States and Imperialism
1796 G. Washington advised Americans to”steer clear of permanent alliances”
Industrialization increased foreign relations.
Post Civil War: the U.S. looked to the Pacific, Latin America, and China for territory.
America grew interested in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
By 1886 America began investing in Cuban sugar plantations.

10. MOVEMENT TOWARDS WAR Pulitzer v. Hearst
1896 Cubans revolted against Spanish rule.
Spanish General Weyler moved over 300,000 Cubans to concentration camps.
American Journalist exaggerated accounts from Cuba to sell papers.
(Yellow Journalism)

11. SPAIN INTENSIFIES THE CONFLICT
The De Lome Letter: a Cuban rebel intercepted a letter for Spanish Minister De Lome.
Letter called U.S. president McKinley a “weak” and “a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.”
U.S. citizens are outraged and supported the rebels.

12. TURNING POINT: THE SINKING OF THE MAINE

13. REMEMBER THE MAINE
The U.S.S. Maine was ordered into Havana Harbor to protect Americans.
Feb. 15, 1898 an Explosion sank the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor.
250 Americans were killed in the explosion.
The American media blamed Spain for the explosion.
April 11th America declares war on Spain.

14. “SLENDID LITTLE WAR”
May 1, 1898 U.S. attacked Spain in Manila Bay, Philippines Islands.
Rough Riders gathered to invade Cuba.

15. THE ROUGH RIDERS Led by Theodore Roosevelt. (Army of 17,000)
July 1st 1898 he led a charge on San Juan Hill in Santiago, Cuba
African American Calvary made it’s first appearance in battle outside of the Civil War. (Four Regiments)
America was victorious in defeating Spain in a short time period.

16. Theodore Roosevelt… leader of the 1st Calvary the “Rough Riders”

17. MAP OF CUBA

18. U.S. AQUISITIONS Treaty of Paris 1898
$20 Million dollars the U.S. bought the Philippines.
Puerto Rico and Guam given to U.S.
Cuba will be Independent.
1899 Rebels fought against U.S. occupation of the Philippines (July 1946 they become independent)
Cuba/Puerto Rico became territories.
1917 Puerto Ricans became U.S. Citizens.
1903 Cuba becomes Protectorate.

19. CHINA AND THE OPEN DOOR POLICY
The Philippines became a gateway to Asia and new markets.
Chinese Qing Dynasty crumbled and became weak.
Open Door Policy: U.S. Secretary of State John Hay issued the policy forcing fellow nations to allow U.S. ships to use their ports near China or trading privileges would cease.
Boxer Rebellion: Chinese rebels attempted to force foreigners out of China. U.S. and other nations turned down the rebellion.

20. EXPANSION UNDER ROOSEVELT & TAFT
BY 1900 U.S. emerged as a WORLD POWER
Under Roosevelt the U.S. looked to build the Panama Canal
Aid in transportation of U.S. economic goods and services.
Construction began in 1904 and ended in 1914…. $23 million under budget.

21. PANAMA CANAL

22. TAFT’s DOLLAR DIPLOMACY
Roosevelt Corollary
“SUBSTITUTE DOLLARS FOR BULLETS”
America should invest in territories instead of conquering them militarily.
Addition to the Monroe Doctrine… the U.S. would not use the Monroe Doctrine to acquire territory in Latin America.

23. MODERN DAY IMPERIALISM
Should the U.S. have military bases in foreign countries?
Should the U.S. be a policeman of the world’s problems?
Choose a recent U.S. intervention and argue reasons to intervene or not to intervene and list the effects of U.S. involvement.