1. EXPANSION AND IMPERIALISM The Rise of America as a World Power History 17B Lecture 6

2. Introduction: Entangling Alliances Washington’s Farewell Address, 1797 –Warned nation against entangling alliances with European continent. Woodrow Wilson sent troops to Europe, 1917 What changed? –America’s place in the world. Economic, strategic, and nationalist interests drove U.S. imperialism.

3. Consolidating American Hemispheric Power Early U.S. Foreign Policy –The “myth” of American isolationism. Always relied on trade and looked to expand westward towards “empire.” Removing European Obstacles –Monroe Doctrine, 1823 –Mexican American War, 1846-48 –Drove France from Mexico, 1866 –Purchased Alaska in 1867 Further Expansion? –Economic and social changes drove imperialism.

4. Sources of Imperialist Expansion Definition –A policy of military and economic conquest and possession. –Colonies necessary to extract resources and extend markets. British India

5. Sources of Imperialist Expansion U.S. Motivations –Economic Interests Capitalism requires expansion of foreign markets. Colonies not essential, but they do provide a “captive audience.” U.S. surpasses Britain in percentage of world manufacturing production.

6. Sources of Imperialist Expansion U.S. Motivations –Strategic Interests Alfred Thayer Mahan –Production of goods for foreign trade. –Shipping to carry on this commerce. –Colonies to provide markets and raw materials. Strength abroad will bring strength at home. –Dominate Central America, Caribbean, and Pacific. Captain Alfred T. Mahan

7. Sources of Imperialist Expansion U.S. Motivations –Nationalism American visions of greatness and racial/cultural superiority. Social Darwinism preached Anglo- Saxon leadership. Reinvigorate American people through expansion. By 1898, a sense of urgency to jump into race for colonies.

8. Sources of Imperialist Expansion The Spanish-American War, 1898 –Fueled by expansionist ambitions and “yellow journalism.” U.S. takes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines, and a base on Cuba (also annexes Hawaii). – Resistance Some Cuban opposition to U.S. naval presence. Filipino insurrection costly in lives and money. Explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor.

9. Sources of Imperialist Expansion Anti-Imperialist Response –Some called forced acquisition of territories a threat to U.S. democracy. –Underlying racist argument: Backward cultures would pervert U.S. democracy. Fear of interracial mixing and labor unrest.

10. Progressive Diplomacy Indirect imperialism –Export products, ideas, influence. Progressive Diplomacy driven by: –Sense of global destiny; –Commitment to civilizing “lesser breeds;” –Aggressive economic expansionism. TR’s Big Stick –Roosevelt Corollary, 1904 U.S. would be police power in Western Hemisphere Caribbean an “American lake.” –Use of force creates bad relations with Latino neighbors.

11. Progressive Diplomacy Taft and Dollar Diplomacy –Private investment to promote U.S. interests in Latin America. Tied debt-ridden nations to the U.S. –Substitute “dollars for bullets.” Taft used both and the policy became linked with unpopular regimes, corporations, and banks. William Howard Taft U.S. Troops in Nicaragua, 1912

12. Progressive Diplomacy Wilson’s New Diplomacy –Export American democracy/capitalism. America had a “mission.” –Patronizing to nations that did not follow American guidance. Intervention in Mexico and Latin America. –Wilson failed to understand that America cannot graft its style of democracy onto countries with their own traditions. Will America ever learn this lesson? Woodrow Wilson

13. “The War to End All Wars” American Neutrality –Potential deep divisions in U.S. population. –But most Americans favored Allies (Britain, France, and Russia). Allied propaganda Forces Leading to War –E–Ensure repayment of Allied loans –U–Unrestricted German sub warfare –Z–Zimmerman Telegram (1917) America declared war April, 1917

14. Armistice in 1918 Nearly 9 million dead (115,000 U.S.)

15. Wilsonian Idealism Making the world “safe for democracy.” 14 Points (1918) –Free trade, self-determination in Europe and Mid-East, and reduction of weapons. –League of Nations A tough sell to allies at Versailles who wanted to punish Germany. Versailles Peace Conference

16. Wilsonian Idealism Opposition at Home –Republican opposition to “collective security.” Fear of entangling alliances? –Treaty defeated in Senate. U.S. does not join the League of Nations. Postwar Disillusionment –America turned inward.