Section 7-1
Page 262
The Imperialist Vision
American Expansionism
• Imperialism- the policy in which stronger
nations extend their economic, political, or
military control over weaker territories.
Three main factors that fueled American
imperialism were:
-desire for military strength
-thirst for new markets
-belief in cultural superiority
American Expansionism
• Alfred T. Mahan- Admiral in the U.S. Navy.
Urged government officials to build up
American naval power in order to compete
with other powerful nations.
The United States Acquires Alaska
• William Seward- Secretary of State under
presidents Lincoln and Johnson. Early
supporter of American expansion. In
1867, he arranged for the U.S. to buy
Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million.
Alaska – a mistake?
Many Americans thought it was foolish
for the United States to buy Alaska from
Russia in 1867 because it was so far
away and so unknown.
However, in 1896 gold was discovered
in the Klondike region and a gold rush
reminiscent of 1849 began.
The United States Takes Hawaii
• Pearl Harbor- In 1887, the U.S. pressured Hawaii to
allow them to build a naval base at Pearl Harbor, the
kingdom’s best port.
• Queen Liliuokalani- Came to power in 1891. Wanted to
remove the property-owning qualifications for voting.
She was overthrown by a revolution organized by
Ambassador John L. Stevens.
• Sanford B. Dole- He headed the government in Hawaii
after Queen Lil was overthrown. He refused to surrender
power even after President Cleveland directed that the
queen be restored to her throne.
Hawaii for the Hawaiians Again
Queen Liliuokalani was one of the most
renown queens of Hawaii. She tried in
1893 to bring back the monarchy’s
authority. She vowed to make Hawaii
a place ruled by the native people
again. She failed and Hawaii was
annexed as a state in 1898. Queen
Liliuokalani was the last queen of
Hawaii and wrote the famous song
Aloha Oe which means “Farewell to
thee.”
Section 10-2
The Spanish-American War
Page 268
Cubans Rebel Against Spain
• Jose Marti- Cuban poet and journalist in
exile in New York. Launched a revolution
in 1895. He organized Cuban resistance
against Spain using an active guerilla
campaign, and deliberately destroying
American owned sugar mills and
plantations. He counted on American
intervention to help achieve a free Cuba.
War Fever Escalates
• Valeriano Weyler- Spanish general sent to Cuba
to restore order. Tried to crush the rebellion by
herding the entire rural population of central and
western Cuba into concentration camps.
• Yellow Journalism- sensational style of writing,
which exaggerates the news to lure and enrage
readers.
• U.S.S. Maine- American battle ship that
exploded in the harbor of Havana. Helped throw
America into war with Spain.
War with Spain Erupts
George Dewey- Commodore of the U.S. pacific fleet.
Gave the command to open fire on the Spanish fleet at
Manila, the Philippine capital. Within hours his men had
captured or destroyed every Spanish ship there.
Rough Riders- Volunteer cavalry regiment under the
command of Theodore Roosevelt.
San Juan Hill- Strategically important. Rough Riders
played a minor role in victory, but newspapers declared
Roosevelt and his regiment the heroes of San Juan Hill.
Treaty of Paris- Treaty signed after the war that had
Spain free Cuba, and turned over the islands of Guam
and Puerto Rico the United States. It also had Spain sell
the Philippines to the United States.
United States Expansion in the
Pacific, 1867–1899
Section 7-3
Page 276
New American Diplomacy
Ruling Puerto Rico
• Foraker Act- (1900) Ended military rule in
Puerto Rico and set up a civil government.
Cuba and the United States
• Platt Amendment- (1901) Provisions the U.S. insisted
that Cuba add to their newly written constitution. It
stated that:
-Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its
independence or permit a foreign power to control any
part of its territory.
-the United States reserved the right to intervene in
Cuba
-Cuba was not to go into debt
-the United States could buy or lease land on the
island for naval stations and refueling stations.
• Protectorate- A country whose affairs are partially
controlled by a stronger nation.
Filipinos Rebel
• Emilio Aguinaldo- Filipino rebel leader.
Was outraged when he learned of
annexation of the Philippines. Believed
that the U.S. had promised independence.
Vowed to fight for freedom.
Foreign Influence in China
• John Hay- U.S. Secretary of State in 1899. He issued a series of
policy statements to protect American interests in China.
• Open Door Notes- letters addressed to the leaders of imperialist
nations proposing that the nations share their trading rights with the
U.S., thus creating an open door. This meant no single nation would
have a monopoly on trade with any part of China.
• Boxer Rebellion- Chinese rebellion against foreign invaders. The
Boxers killed thousands of missionaries and other foreigners, as
well as Chinese converts to Christianity. International forces from
Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and the U.S. marched on the
Chinese capital and put down the rebellion after two months of
fighting.
Panama Canal
The United States continued its policy of
imperialism under President Theodore
Roosevelt. First, the United States
encouraged Panama’s independence from
Columbia. Then it negotiated a treaty with
Panama to build the Panama Canal. Since
this canal provided a short cut between the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, it benefited
American trade and thereby also furthered
economic imperialism.
A map showing the location of the Canal Zone.
To secure the U.S. control of the Caribbean, and
to give readier access to trade with China and
Japan for eastern manufacturers, Roosevelt was
an ardent supporter of the building of a canal
across the Isthmus of Panama. After using
"gunboat diplomacy" to help Panamanian rebel
leaders achieve independence from Colombia,
Roosevelt signed a treaty with their new nation
in 1903 awarding the U.S. control of a canal
zone. Construction was from 1904 to 1914.
On April 25, 1898, the United States
declared war on Spain. The slogan of the
war?
“Remember the Maine!”
Over Quickly, but not Quickly
enough
The war lasted less than 4 months, but
more than 5000 Americans died. The
United States was left feeling like a
stronger world power. Under the peace
treaty, the United States gained control of
Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico and the
Philippine Islands. Guam and Puerto Rico
are still under US control today.
Theodore Roosevelt - a name to
remember
Because of his part in
the war, Theodore
Roosevelt was a very
popular man. He
quickly was elected to
public positions and
soon became the Vice
President of the United
States. When President
McKinley was
assassinated in 1901,
Theodore Roosevelt
became the new
President of the United
States.