HIST 202
We are Anglo-Saxons, and must obey our blood
and occupy new markets, and, if necessary, new
lands. - Sen. Albert Beveridge (1898)
Our form of government, our traditions, our
present interests, and our future welfare, all forbid
our entering upon a career of conquest. - William
Jennings Bryan (1898)
Isolationism
Looking westward in
U.S.
George Washington’s
final speech
Civil War changes the
way we see ourselves in
the world
William H. Seward
Secretary of State
Under Lincoln and
Johnson
Helped prevent British
and French from entering
war
Convinced annexation of
Hawaii and purchase of
Alaska
Alaska (“Seward’s Folly”)
Russia and Great Britain
claimed it
Russia – used it for hunting
Economic burden
Found a buyer in Seward
1867 – purchased Alaska for
$7.2 million
19th Century
industrialization led to
Worldwide markets
Growing surpluses
Open sources for raw
materials
U.S. NEEDED TO
STRETCH OUT AND
EXPAND!!!!
Only the strong survive!
Expansionists believed:
U.S. had to be strong
Militarily
Religiously
Economically
Politically
Imperialism
To gain territory
Gain political and
economic life of other
countries
Britain, France, Russia,
and Japan had
possessions throughout
the world!
Missionaries
Josiah Strong – Our
Country
Politicians
Henry Cabot Lodge (MA)
Theodore Roosevelt (NY)
Military
Alfred Mahan – The
Influence of Sea Power
Upon History
Popular Press
Increased circulation
Told Americans about
exotic places abroad
America was the
protector of Latin
America
Pan-American
Conference (1889)
James Blaine
Pan-American Union
(1948)
President
Cleveland/Richard
Olney (1895-96)
Venezuela/British Guiana
Used Monroe Doctrine
against Britain
Britain sided with U.S.
Causes:
Jingoism – aggressive
foreign policy
Cuban revolt – Cuba v.
Spain
Yellow journalism –
sensational stories
Joseph Pulitzer
William Randolph Hearst
Causes (cont.)
De Lome Letter
Dupuy De Lome – critical of
Pres. McKinley
USS Maine
260 Americans killed
April 1898
Protect Cuban interests
Protect American
interests (sugar)
Protect commerce and
trade
End “constant menace to
our peace”
April 20, 1898
U.S. declared war on
Spain
Teller Amendment
U.S. did not want to take
anything away from Cuba
Cuba would be in control of
its govt.
Philippines
Under Spanish control
since 1500s
Roosevelt ordered
George Dewey to invade
Philippines
War was won quickly by
capturing Manila Bay
Cuba
Ill-prepared Army
San Juan Hill
Theodore Roosevelt
“Rough Riders”
Buffalo Soldiers
U.S. Navy crushed Spanish
at Santiago Bay
War ended August 1898
Hawaii
Settled by missionaries
and businessmen
1893 – U.S. overthrew
Queen Liliuokalani
1900 – U.S. territory
U.S. state in 1959
William McKinley - R
W
William Jennings Bryan - D
John Hay
Sec. of State under Pres.
McKinley
“Open Door” trade with
China
Boxer Rebellion (1900) –
Society of Harmonious
Fists
“Speak softly and carry
a big stick”
Panama Canal
Roosevelt Corollary to
the Monroe Doctrine
More extension in Latin
American affairs
William Taft (1909-1913)
Focus was in China and
Latin America
Believed that investors
and cash could help with
relations
Financial investments =
greater stability
Henry Cabot Lodge
R – Massachusetts
Attention was on Latin
America and Asia
Believed that no nonwestern countries should
own territories in West
Infuriated Asia
Woodrow Wilson
First term – 1913-17
Wanted to “right” all of
the “wrongs”
Set up over 30
conciliation treaties
throughout the world
Puerto Rico
Panama Canal
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