1. “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” - T. Roosevelt
US Imperialism
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
- T. Roosevelt

2. From jellyfish to eagle?
Speaking in 1891 Rudyard Kipling said of the USA: ‘The big fat Republic that is afraid of nothing because nothing up to the present day has happened to make her afraid, is as unprotected as a jellyfish’.

3. Why did the USA change its foreign policy, 1890-1919?
Key Question:
Why did the USA change its foreign policy, ?

4. Imperialism US. Imperialism – response to EUROPEAN Imperialism
Principal Cause: INDUSTRIALISATION
Industrialized nations wanted colonies to provide:
cheap supply of RAW MATERIALS
A MARKET for the mother country’s goods
large profits with minimum risk on investment of SURPLUS CAPITAL

5. Imperialism (other reasons)
Used NATIONALIST arguments to gain support for EMPIRE BUILDING.
gain glory & achieve a “PLACE IN THE SUN”
secure essential MILITARY BASES & war materials
provide an outlet for surplus population
provide safety - missionaries spread CHRISTIANITY
bring to the ‘BACKWARD’ areas the “blessings of the CIVILIZED culture” of the West [Europe & USA]

6. This “Duty” of the West Labeled by RUDYARD KIPLING as
The “White Man’s Burden”

7. REASONS for U.S. turn to IMPERIALISM (turn to pp. 54/55)
1) Industrial Revolution
2) Closing of the FRONTIER – leads investors to look ABROAD for economic opportunity

8. Key long-term cause: The Monroe Doctrine, 1823
Announced by President Monroe and John Quincy Adams (Secretary of State).
Main points:
US policy to avoid involvement in European wars UNLESS American interests were involved
The ‘American continents’ were not to be colonised by any European power
Any attempts of European colonisation would be regarded as ‘unfriendly acts’.

9. Was the Spanish-American War of 1898 a turning point in American foreign policy?
Causes of the War:
1. Tyrannical Spanish rule over Cuba:
Spain denied civil liberties & political rights
Levied heavy taxes – restricted foreign trade
Ruthlessly suppressed rebellions
Spain finally abolished Slavery in 1886
Economic depression brings another
revolt for INDEPENDENCE in Cuba.

10. Causes of Spanish-American War (cont.)
2. American Humanitarianism & sympathy
Sympathized with desire for independence
Outraged when over 200,000 Cubans died in concentration camps of hunger and disease

11. Causes of Spanish-American War (cont.)
3. Economic Interests
American merchants traded with Cuba to the amount of $100 million a year
American investors placed $50 million in sugar and tobacco plantations.

12. Causes of Spanish-American War (cont.)
4. “Yellow Journalism”
William Randolph Hearst – NY Journal
Joseph Pulitzer – New York World
Both Newspapers sought to increase circulation by sensationalized news stories.
Eg Hearst’s Journal printed the Delome Letter Spanish ambassador calls McKinley “weak”

13. Causes of Spanish-American War (cont.)
5. Sinking of the USS Maine
American battleship visiting Cuba blown up: 260 Americans killed
Cause: probably fire in a coal bin. But, American public persuaded by the Yellow Press – blames SPAIN

14. Outbreak of the War
McKinley demands Spain ends camps and negotiate with Cuban rebels
April 11, 1898: McKinley asks Congress to use American armed forces in Cuba
Congress approves on 4-20, and recognizes Cuba’s INDEPENDENCE from Spain
Congress adopts Teller Amendment which stated that the United States would not COLONIZE Cuba

15. The Teller Amendment (1898)
Made PRIOR to Sp-Am War
U.S. could NOT ANNEX Cuba
US must “leave control of island to its People”
Superceded by PLATT AMENDMENT (1903)

16. Conduct of the War
Battle Cry = “Remember the Maine, to HELL with Spain!”

17. Defeat of Spain
April 1898, simultaneous attacks on Spanish territories of Philippines and Cuba
Attack on Philippines lead by Admiral George Dewey was a success
Army in Cuba successful but badly organised.

18. Treaty of Paris December 1898
CUBA independent, US influence over constitution and possession of Guantanomo Bay
Puerto Rico and Pacific island of Guam ‘given’ to the USA
USA able to purchase the Philippines for $20 million