1. US BECOMES A WORLD POWER

2. STARTER What do you think of when you hear ‘World Power’? How does a country become one? What’s required to keep that power?

3. IMPERIALISM 1890’s- Despite an incredibly productive economy, very limited military power No real threat in the Western hemisphere No big interest in territorial expansion after the purchase of Alaska in 1867 ($72 million from Russia) Imperialism- the policy of extending a country’s power through diplomacy and/or military force Controversy over expansion Some saw imperial actions as inconsistent with republican ideals Others saw it as the responsibility of the US to extend its resources and influence

4. CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE European empire building- 1870-1900 Spurred by competition and the belief that nations were caught up in a Darwinian struggle for survival and power US began upgrading its Navy The White Man’s Burden Comes from a poem by Rudyard Kipling Belief that more developed nations have an obligation to ‘uplift’/help/protect less developed nations

5. ANNEXATION OF HAWAII Originally explored by Captain Cook in 1778- 300,000 natives- susceptible to disease Over time, Americans set up businesses there- sugar, banana and pineapple In 1893, American businessmen organized a coup, aided by US military- overthrew the Queen, imprisoned her and seized 1.75 million acres of land Petition for annexation, argued that they were overthrowing a corrupt government and that the US should take possession before another foreign power Harrison tried to annex, but Cleveland held it back for further examination- declared it a substantial wrong Despite Cleveland, Congress refused to help the Queen regain her throne

6. ANNEXATION OF HAWAII CONT. Sanford Dole- starting his Banana company- declared himself President of the Republic of Hawaii- put the Queen under house arrest Spanish American War caused worry that Japan would seize Hawaii Hawaii becomes an American territory in 1900, a state 1959 Still resentment today

7. SPANISH AMERICAN WAR Cuba began to fight for its independence from Spain in 1895 America felt sympathy for their cause but many wanted to avoid involvement President McKinley wanted to stay out- Civil war vet De Lome Letter “WORST INSULT IN US HISTORY” Sinking of the Maine in Havana harbor Blamed it on a mine- inflamed war hawks Switch from isolationism to intervention

8. SPANISH AMERICAN WAR CONT. US declares War- but promises that will not make Cuba a territory 144 days- US victory Platt Amendment- stated that the US had the right to intervene in Cuba in the future to protect life, property, individual liberties Gave US Guam, Philippines and Puerto Rico

9. PHILIPPINES 1898- US acquires the Philippines from Spain for $20 million 2 months later General Aguinaldo declares the Philippines independent- first republic in Asia Pressure on McKinley to annex is intense- fear that other nations would take it first forced his hand Philippine War- 1899 fighting erupts between US and Filipinos Over 70,000 US soldiers would fight there Guerilla tactics Barbarous treatment of civilians War ended officially in 1901, fighting continued several years Casualties- 20,000 Filipino soldiers, 4,000 Americans, 200,000 civilians Convinced US not to try to acquire new territory Granted the Philippines their independence in 1946

10. CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICA When Germany demanded a port in the Dominican Republic and several European powers blockaded Venezuela, Theodore Roosevelt declared the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine Stated that America would police South America and the Caribbean Led to over 20 US interventions in the next quarter century in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama

11. EXIT TICKET On your exit ticket, please answer the following questions What is your opinion of American imperialism and expansion? (was it good, bad, neither) Why? Evaluate American motives for imperialism (were our reasons good or self-centered)? Is there a way we could have handled this situation better? How? Is the United States still facing issues like this today? How do our actions today compare to these early 20 th century imperialist actions?