Becoming a World
Power
Unit 23 (1876-1916)
American Nation
Textbook Pages 614-639
President Theodore Roosevelt
Powerpoint by Mr. Zindman
The Panama Canal
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1. A Pacific Empire
The United States increased its role in world affairs throughout
the second half of the nineteenth century. As the nation became
an industrial and commercial power, American leaders sought
new trade opportunities in Asia, Alaska, and Hawaii. Many other
overseas territories came under United States control as well.
As a result of the Spanish American War of 1898, the United States
acquired an overseas empire. The United States created an era of
imperialism in the Caribbean and Pacific. After the war, the United
States played an increasing role in the affairs of Latin America. As a
result, many Latin Americans began to view the United States with
distrust and anger.
Latin Americans today
Spanish American War
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Expansionism
Isolationism
In his farewell address, as you recall, George Washington had
advised the nation to steer clear of permanent alliances. He
urged Americans to have as little possible connections with our
foreign nations. This policy was called isolationism, or having
to little to do with the political affairs of other nations.
Earlier In his career George Washington followed a policy of
expansionism, or extending its national boundaries. Americans
further pressed further westward to settle.
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The Purchase of Alaska
In the 1860’s the Secretary of the
State, William Seward wanted the
United States to dominate trade in
the Pacific in 1867, he persuaded
Congress to annex the Midway
Island. In this way the island became
part of the United States. Russia in
the 1800’s owned Alaska. Seward
was playing a card game with the
Czar and he offered to sell and
Alaska for $7.2 million dollars to the
United States. The land cost of 2¢
per acre. Most Americans called this
purchase “Seward’s Folly”. They
called this land the “icebox.”
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Opening Trade with Japan
Commodore
Matthew Perry
Japan was a small island nation. Fearing
outsiders, the Japanese had cut themselves
off from the world in the 1600’s. American
merchants wanted to open Japan to trade.
They also wanted the Japanese to help
shipwrecked sailors who washed up on their
shores. President Millard Fillmore sent
Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan in the
early 1850’s. Paris presented Japanese
officials with a letter from President Fillmore.
In it, the President asked Japanese to open
trading relations with the United States. Perry
returned in one year with some warships and
a show of power. The Japanese emperor
signed the Treaty of Kanagawa. The treaty
accepted American demands to help
shipwrecks sailors. It also opened Japanese
ports for trade.
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The period between 1870 and 1914
has often been called the Age of
Imperialism. Imperialism is the policy
of powerful countries seeking to
control the economic and political
affairs of weaker countries or
regions. During this period the
United States and Japan became the
imperial powers. One reason for the
growth of imperialism is because
industrial nations of Europe want to
raw materials from Africa and Asia.
Imperialism had other causes. Many
Europeans believe they had a duty to
spread their religion and culture to
people to whom they consider to be
less civilized.
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American factories turned out huge amounts of steel and other
goods. The nation was growing rapidly, and arguments in favor
of expansion held great appeal. Expansionists also argued that
the Americans had a right and a duty to bring western culture to
the uncivilized peoples of the world. Other expansionists
stressed the need to offset the vanishing frontier by gaining
European land.
Click on the pictures to learn more about a Democracy
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Captain Alfred Mahan, of the
United States Navy, argued that
the United States needed a
larger navy to protect American
merchant ships. A bigger navy
would need more bases
throughout the world. Congress
had begun to enlarge the
modernized the navy. New
steam hulled ships were being
built. The navy ships were called
the Great White Fleet because
they were painted white.
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The United States took part
of the island of Samoa. The
people of Samoa had little
say in the matter. The United
States demonstrated they
have power in the lands of
the Pacific Ocean. Soon
afterwards the Americans
took the land called Hawaii
from the King Kalakaua.
When he died his sister,
Liliuokalani came to the
throne. She resented the
Americans that settled in
Hawaii. Faced with American
guns, Liliuokalani give up
her throne. She wrote a
protest to the United States
government.
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By acquiring Hawaii and Samoa, the United States
gained important footholds in the Pacific. Rivalry
among the industrial nations was very dominant.
China had once been the most advanced empire .in
the world, however, years of civil war weakened the
empire. In addition, China failed to industrialize as
other nations have in the 1800’s.
Britain, France,
Germany, Russia,
and Japan carved
spheres of
influence in China.
A sphere of influence is an area, usually near
seaport and run by a nation. The sphere had special
trading privileges.
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2. War With Spain
In 1868, the Cuban people rebelled against
Spanish rule. The revolution was crushed.
Lola Rodriguez de Tio wrote patriotic
poetry in support of Cuban independence
movement. The rebels fought against
Spanish rule with a growing concern.
Americans invested more than $50 million
in the island of Cuba. American trade with
Cuba was worth about $100,000,000.00 a
year.
Opinion split over whether the United States
should intervene in Cuba. Hearst used
yellow journalism, or sensational stories
that were often biased or untrue. Hearst
said, “you supply the pictures we will
supply the war.”
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In 1898, fighting broke out in Havana, the Cuban capital.
President McKinley sent the battleship Maine to Havana to protect
the American citizens there. On February 15, a huge explosion
ripped through the ship. The explosion killed at least 260 of the
350 sailors and officers on board.
Yellow journalists used the explosion to push the Americans into
the war in Cuba. The real cause of the explosion remains a
mystery today.
The battleship Maine
The battleship Maine
sinking
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On April 25, 1898 President McKinley declared war on
Spain. This war was called the Spanish-American War.
The Spanish-American war lasted only four months. The
navy Secretary, Theodore Roosevelt, felt it was important
to attack the Spanish in the Philippines as soon as the
war began. George Dewey, commander of the Pacific
fleet followed Roosevelt’s instructions immediately after
war was declared.
Theodore
Roosevelt
George
Dewey
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Theodore
Roosevelt
Meanwhile, American troops had landed in Cuba. None
were more eager than Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt
organized The First Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, later
called the Rough Riders. During the battle for the city
of Santiago, Roosevelt led the roughriders in charge of
the San Juan Hill. This battle was called The Battle of
San Juan Hill. American troops were successful in
taking the hill.
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Two days later, the Americans destroyed the Spanish fleet in
Santiago Bay. The Spanish army in Cuba surrendered. American
troops then landed on Puerto Rico and claimed the island. Spain
then agreed to sign an armistice, thus ending the fighting.
In a peace treaty signed in Paris in December of 1898, Spain agreed
to grant Cuba its freedom. After the war, American soldiers remained
in Cuba while the nation debated who would rule. In the end, the
United States let the Cuban people write their own constitution.
However, Cuba had to accept the Platt Amendment. The amendment
allowed the United States to intervene in Cuba and gave the United
States control of the naval base in Guantá Namo Bay.
In effect, the amendment made Cuba an American protectorate, a
nation whose independence is limited by the control of a more
powerful country.
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Each nation made their
own laws and privileges.
They encouraged an open
door policy in China.
Under the policy, all
nations could trade with
one another in China
Many Chinese opposed
foreign influences in the
country. These people
will call the boxers.
In 1900, the boxers rebelled. They attacked farmers
in China. They killed more than 200 people.
Americans armed with modern weapons stopped the
boxer rebellion and freed all the captives that the
boxers held. This is called a Boxer Rebellion.
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3. The United States in Latin America
When Theodore Roosevelt became President in 1901, he was
determined to build a canal through the Isthmus of Panama. An
Isthmus in a narrow strip of land connecting larger bodies of land.
Panama was the perfect place for canal because of its location.
Roosevelt knew that a canal would greatly benefit the American
commerce and military capability. It would also reduce the cost
and shipping goods. A revolution between Columbia and Panama
began. The people of Panama revolted against the Columbian’s
this made it very hard for Roosevelt to build the isthmus. Soon,
Panama won their independence from Columbia. The United States
recognized the new nation. Panama and then agreed to let the
United States build a canal.
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Colonel
George
Geothals
In building the Canal, tropical heat at mosquitoes made it very
difficult. Two tropical diseases were very common; Yellow Fever and
Malaria. Under the supervision of army engineer Colonel George
Geothals, more than 40,000 workers struggled to dig the canal.
Finally in 1914, the first coach and steamship traveled through the
Panama Canal. In 1904, Roosevelt announced an important addition
to the Monroe Doctrine. In the Roosevelt Corollary, he claimed the
right of the United States to intervene in Latin America to preserve
law and order. Over the next twenty years, sell the President’s
including Roosevelt, used this police power.
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Roosevelt successor, William Howard Taft, also favored a strong
American role in Latin America. He urged American bankers to
invest in Latin America. This policy of building strong economic
ties to Latin America became known as the dollar diplomacy.
American investors responded eagerly. They helped build roads,
railroads, and harbors in Latin America. The United States use
built a force to keep order in Latin America. Woodrow Wilson,
elected President in 1912, disliked the heavy handed foreign
policies of his past predecessors. He proposed instead a policy of
moral diplomacy. Wilson’s goals were to condemn imperialism,
spread democracy, and promote peace. Nevertheless, Wilson
ordered military intervention in lead America more than any other
President.
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Relations with Mexico
Mexican President Diaz was the
Mexican President from 1884 to 1911
welcomed American investments.
Meanwhile, most Mexicans remain
poor. These harsh conditions led to
widespread discontent. In 1910,
Mexicans rebelled against Diaz.
Francisco “Pancho” Villa led the
resistance in a Civil War in Mexico.
To capture Villa, President Wilson
sent General John J. Pershing with
an army of several thousand
soldiers. In 1917, after failing to
capture Villa, Wilson ordered
Pershing’s army to withdraw.
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Slide show by Mr. Zindman
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