Chapter 10 America Claims an Empire
Section 1 Imperialism and America
Imperialism: the policy which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military
control over weaker territories
Three reasons for Imperialism: 1. Desire for military strength, 2. New markets, 3. Belief in
cultural superiority
Alfred T. Mahan: Publishes The Influence of Sea Power upon history which states that control
the seas with the military would control the world. America believed in this idea.
William Seward acquires Alaska for 7.2 million dollars
Sanford b. Dole overthrows Queen Liliuokalani and sets up government and Congress makes
Hawaii a territory in 1898.
Section 2 The Spanish American War
America initially wants Cuba and offers money to Spain to buy it and they refuse.
Jose Marti: A Cuban poet and journalist in New York leads revolutionist ideas and start of revolt
against the Spanish which control Cuba.
Valeriano Weyler: General sent from Spain to restore order through strong military presents in
Cuba.
Yellow Journalists: They exaggerate news accounts and pictures or drawings supported it. They
called Weyler the butcher for his actions.
De Lome letter: letters between the Spanish calling the Americans weak.
The cause/ start of the Spanish American War is caused by the accusation of the sinking of the
USS Maine blamed on the Spanish.
The battle fought in the Phillippines led by Commodore George Dewey which was very
successful and freed them from the spanish.
The battles in the Carribean led by the Rough Riders and Teddy Roosevelt which led to major
victory at San Juan Hill. The US also blockaded the island.
The Treaty of Paris 1898: It gave Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Phillippines to the US. It freed
Cuba from Spain
Section 3 Acquiring new lands
Puerto Rico: Under military control at first and then given civil government set up under the
Foraker Act.
Cuba:
Teller Amendment which said America had no intention of taking over Cuba
Platt Amendment set up how Cuba would be governed: Stated it could make no treaties to limit
independence, gave right of US to intervene in Cuban affairs, Cuba could not go into debt, and
US could buy or lease land for a military base.
Phillippines:
Emilio Aguinaldo once helped the US against Spain, now felt that the US was the same as the
Spanish rule and led a revolt against the US which became the Phillippine American War
US: It would win the war and eventually give to it a civil government to it like Puerto Rico
Foreign Influence in China:
Spheres of Influence: Each nation claimed special interest in China
John Hay and the Open Door Notes: All nations would have equal access to China and its
markets
Boxer Rebellion: Chinese try to get rid of all foreign influence in china by violently expelling all
foreigners.
Americans belief: US depended on exports, US could intervene to keep markets open, and
closing foreign ports would threaten US survival.
Section 4 America as a World Power
Roosevelt makes peace between the Russians and Japanese after the Russo-Japanese War
Hay-Pauncefote treaty of 1901: gave land in panama to the US to create a Canal to connect the
oceans (Panama Canal).
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: US would intervene military if necessary in the
Western Hemisphere if needed when protecting US interests.
Dollar Diplomacy: investing millions of dollars into the western hemisphere and then gaining a
vested interest in that country through investment.
Woodrow Wilson’s Missionary Diplomacy:
US had responsibility to deny and Latin government recognition if it viewed it hostile to
American interests
Wilson and Mexico
Wilson formally recognized Carranza after government went to corruption.
Francisco Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata opposed American involvement in Mexico and
attacked border towns in the US.
Wilson sends General John J Pershing to capture and stabilize the situation along the south west
border.
America was not able to intervene more due to possible WWI in Europe.