Mr. Judd
Name________________________
CH. 7 Becoming a World Power
By the 1880s the western frontier was finally filling up, and American business leaders
began looking overseas to find new markets. Increased European imperialism led many
Americans to justify expansion with the idea of Anglo-Saxonism—the belief that it was
the nation's destiny to spread its civilization to other people. New markets opened first in
Japan, when the United States made a show of force, and then in Hawaii, when
American business leaders led a successful campaign for Hawaiian annexation. In Latin
America, leaders attempted to increase American influence. Meanwhile, the United
States became increasingly assertive in foreign affairs. As Americans became more
willing to risk war in defense of overseas markets, interest in a powerful navy and
overseas bases grew.
Analyzing Political Cartoons
1. What is on the bill of fare, or menu, in this restaurant?
2. Which president does the waiter portray?
3. What seems to be Uncle Sam’s attitude toward the offerings on the menu?
Survey Questions
Procedures:
Opening the lesson
1. The teacher will show a short clip from the movie, The Lion
and the Wind. (The movie is a fictionalized account of an
American who was kidnapped by an Arab sheik, creating an
international incident leading TR to contemplate intervening
by sending in the Great White Fleet). Ask students what
region of the world is the scene taking place? Why would the
United States want to send its military into the North
African/Middle East region?
2. The teacher will distribute copies of the questionnaire, “When should the United States
use Military Power?” Students will record their answers to the questions. The teacher will
lead a discussion about the questions, soliciting students’ views about when it is
appropriate to use the military against a foreign power.
Directions: Write agree or disagree next to each statement.
1. The United States should use military force only if attacked by a foreign nation first.
2. It is justifiable for the United States to use military force to protect U.S. financial
interests.
3. It is justifiable to go to war to defend an ally of the United States.
4. It is acceptable for the United States to promote Christianity in other nations.
5. Diplomacy is the only acceptable foreign policy.
6. It is acceptable to go to war to remove dictatorships and promote democracy.
7. It is the United States responsibility to be the “policemen” of the world.
8. President Washington was correct – the United States should avoid foreign
entanglements.
9. Only a weak President would fail to protect United States interests in Latin America
and the Caribbean.
10. It might not be politically correct, but the United States really is a superior nation.
11. The United States must maintain a superior military force for national security.
12. A wealthy nation like the United States should offer economic or military aid when a
weaker nation requests it.
Causes of American Imperialism
Mr. Judd
First things first. Turn to Pg. 262 in text and define
Imperialism___________________________________________________________________
Directions: Read the documents below and summarize the motivations for U.S. imperialism in
the space provided.
Document #1: Josiah Strong, Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis.
American Home Missionary Society, 1885
It seems to me that God, with infinite wisdom and skill, is training the Angle-Saxon race for an
hour sure to come in the world’s future… The unoccupied arable [farmable] lands of the earth
are limited, and will soon be taken… Then will the world enter upon a new stage of its historythe final competition of races, for which the Anglo-Saxon is being schooled... Then this race of
unequaled energy, with all the majesty of numbers and the might of wealth behind it- the
representative, let us hope, of the largest liberty, the purest Christianity, the highest
civilization… will spread itself over the earth. If I read not amiss, this powerful race will move
down upon Mexico, down upon Central and South America, out upon the islands of the sea, over
upon Africa and beyond. And can any one doubt that the result of this competition of races will
be the “survival of the fittest”?...
Document #2: Navy Captain Alfred T. Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power upon History,
(1890)
Having therefore no foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the ships of war in the
United States, in war, will be like land birds, unable to fly far from their own shores. To provide
resting places for them, where they can coal and repair, would be one of the first duties of a
government proposing to itself the development of the power of the nation at sea.”
Document #3: Albert J. Beveridge, Senate Campaign Speech, 1898
American factories are making more than the American people can use: American soil is
producing more than they can consume. Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world
must and shall be ours… We will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing
points for American products. We will cover the ocean with our merchant marine. Great colonies
governing themselves, flying our flag and trading with us, will grow about our posts of trade.
Our institutions will follow our flag on the wings of commerce.
Motivations for Imperialism
Directions: Identify several factors that motivated American imperialism in the space below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
AMERICAN EXPANSION
Territory
Date
Acquired
Alaska
1867
Samoa
1899
Midway Islands 1867
Mr. Judd
How Acquired
Why Acquired
U.S. Secretary of State William
Seward purchased Alaska from
Russia for $7.2 million dollars (2
cents an acre). At the time, critics
thought Seward was crazy and
called the deal "Seward's folly."
-Keep the British out
-Potential for resources (minerals, furs,
etc.)
The U.S. began leasing the harbor
at Pago Pago. In 1899, the U.S.,
Great Britain, and Germany all
divided islands in the South
Pacific in the Treaty of Berlin.
Naval bases to protect American
trading ships on their way to Asian
markets.
Annexed by the U.S. under
Secretary of State William
Seward. They were previously
uninhabited.
Naval bases in the Pacific.
Purchased from Denmark under
threat of seizure. The U.S. was
afraid that Germany would take
them first.
-To prevent Germany from gaining them
as naval bases.
-Naval bases from which to protect the
sea lands into the Caribbean Sea.
Hawaii
Philippines
Puerto Rico
Guam
Panama Canal
Virgin Islands
1917
Spanish-American War: Beginnings
In the mid-1890s, there were serious
social, economic, and political problems on
the neighboring island of Cuba. Cuban
rebels were attempting to free Cuba from
Spanish control which dated back to the late
1400s. As Cuba lies only ninety miles from
the tip of Florida, the United States has
always taken a strong interest in the events
happening there. At that time, many
Americans sympathized with the efforts of
the Cubans. Also, many had invested
heavily in the Cuban sugar industry.
In 1896, the Spanish government
attempted to put an end to the rebel cause.
General Valeriano Weyler was sent to
crush the rebellion. Weyler destroyed sugar
plantations and built prison camps for
Cubans in rebel-held areas. News of
mistreatment of the Cubans came to
America. Stories were told of 100,000
captured Cubans starving to death in the
Spanish camps. The atrocities were given
much coverage in the American press, and
in some cases reports were grossly
exaggerated.
Although many Americans were prepared
to support the Cubans in their move for
independence, President McKinley took a
cautious stance. He had hoped the situation
would be resolved in the near future, but a
series of events made a simple answer
impossible. One highly publicized event was
the publishing of a letter that was
intercepted en route to a post office in
Havana, Cuba. Written by a Spanish
diplomat stationed in Washington,
the letter insulted McKinley and referred to
Mr. Judd
him as a "weakling" and a "crowd pleaser."
The derogatory tone of the letter angered
many Americans. More serious in nature, a
second event involved the deaths of
American sailors. On the night of February
15,1898, an explosion rippled through the
hull of the Maine, an American vessel
docked in the Havana Harbor. The ship had
been sent to protect Americans on the
island. No one was ever to know for sure
who or what had caused the explosion in
which more than 250 Americans lost their
lives. The tragedy stirred the American
spirit, and many blamed the Spaniards.
Public pressure finally forced McKinley to
take action. On April 11, the President went
before Congress to request a declaration of
war against Spain. Two weeks later, on
April 25, the United States declared war
against the old colonial power. With the
rallying cry, "Remember the Maine," many
Americans eagerly joined the fight.
USS Maine Explosion
Review Questions
1. Why do you think many Americans supported the Cuban rebels in their efforts against
Spain?
2. What two events caused that support to increase?
3. What role did the press play in this war? What is yellow journalism? (See Pg. 269 in text)
Spanish-American War: Battles and Outcome
Even before the official declaration of war
against Spain, the American fleet in the Pacific
was steaming off to the Philippines, which had
been a part of the Spanish empire for over 300
years. In the event that war was declared
against Spain, they were to capture the enemy
squadron in Manila, the Philippine capital. On
May 1,1898, just days after the official
declaration of war, Commodore George Dewey
and six ships arrived in Manila Bay to begin
bombardment of the fleet. In a matter of hours,
the United States navy had destroyed the
Spanish fleet and blockaded the harbor.
American troops entered the Philippine islands
the day after an armistice, or agreement to stop
fighting, was signed.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, the Spanish fleet in the
Atlantic was docked in Santiago Harbor. By the
end of May, United States warships had arrived
to blockade the Cuban harbor. The next month,
on June 22, U.S. troops landed in Cuba just east
of Santiago. The Americans found the going
rough in the hills of Cuba, for the Spanish had
strongly fortified positions. Casualties were high.
Among the troops which drew heavy fire was a
volunteer unit called the "Rough Riders." It was
led by Theodore Roosevelt, who had resigned
his office as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to
join the cause. The Rough Riders were actually
a cavalry unit, but this time they fought only on
foot, for their horses never made it to the island.
Two days after Roosevelt's men succeeded in
taking Kettle Hill on the ridge overlooking
Santiago, the most decisive battle of the war
took place. In the battle of San Juan Hill, the
Americans emerged victorious, and Roosevelt
became an instant hero.
Mr. Judd
On July 3,1898, the Spanish attempted to
move their fleet out of Santiago Harbor. The
Americans opened fire, destroying all the
escaping ships. On July 17, the Spanish in
Santiago surrendered. With no options
remaining, the Spanish government in Cuba
also surrendered. Shortly after this victory, the
U.S. occupied Puerto Rico, an island southeast
of Cuba. Along with Cuba, the Philippines, and
the island of Guam. Puerto Rico came under the
protection of the United States. The war with
Spain was over. With the ratification of the
Treaty of Paris early in 1899, America became
an imperialist country with an empire stretching
from the Caribbean to the distant Pacific.
In the election of 1900, William Jennings
Bryan again represented the Democrats.
McKinley proved a tough opponent, running on a
platform of expanded territories and continued
prosperity under a Republican Administration.
Aiding the ticket was the nomination for VicePresident of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, hero
of San Juan Hill. Winning easily, the
Republicans remained in the White House.
Use the Map
1. What lands did the U.S. gain following the
Spanish-American War?
2. What part of North America was under U.S.
control before the Spanish-American War?
3. The first American victory in the war
United States Territorial Expansion
occurred in the Philippines. Why?
Discussion Questions: Debate Over an Empire
Mr. Judd
American Expansion in the Pacific
1. Who is Matthew Perry? What role did he play in America’s expansion in the Pacific? Pg. 265
2. Who is Queen Liliuokalani? What role did she play in America’s expansion in the Pacific? Pg.
266
Spanish-American War Comes to an End
1. What were the terms of the Treaty of Paris 1898? Pg.274
Governing Cuba
1. What is the significance of the Platt Amendment? Pg. 274
Governing Puerto Rico
1. Give a brief outline of our relationship with Puerto Rico since 1900. Pg. 275
Rebellion in the Philippines
1. Who is Emilio Aguinaldo? Why was he mad at the United States? Pg. 275
American Diplomacy in Asia
1. What is the Open Door Policy? Pg. 276
2. What is the Boxer Rebellion? Pg. 277
Roosevelt’s Diplomacy
1. What is the “Great White Fleet?” Pg. 278
2. What did Roosevelt mean when he said “Speak softly and carry a big stick?” 279
3. What is the Roosevelt Corollary? Pg. 280
4. What is “dollar diplomacy?” Pg. 281
Woodrow Wilson’s Diplomacy in Mexico
1. Why did President Wilson send 6,000 American troops under General John J. Pershing into
Mexico in 1916? Pg. 283
Big Stick vs. Dollar Diplomacy
Mr. Judd
The "comprehensive strategy to confront the
serious and urgent situation in Sudan" President
Obama outlined yesterday was far from anything
new in American diplomatic affairs, which is not to
say ineffective. Actually, the shift in policy marks a
sharp return to diplomatic tactics the U.S.
perfected during its expansionist phase in the 19th
and early 20th centuries: 'big stick' and 'dollar'
diplomacy. Here is how the two policies worked
then and are intended to now.
Dollar diplomacy works like dangling a carrot on a
stick in front of a donkey, providing a motivation to
move in any direction the dangler sees fit. The U.S. did this with Caribbean and South American nations
throughout the 19th century to great effect, and is generally associated with Theodore Roosevelt, who also
won a Nobel Peace Prize. The Sudan plan outlined by Obama will hold out "incentives" for Khartoum if it
improves its record on human rights and the advancement of peace. Dollar diplomacy incentives generally
include generous aid packages and industrial development. Sudanese President Ghazi Salahadin calls this a
policy of "engagement not isolation," euphemisms about which he would do well to seek critical historical
scrutiny.
Big stick diplomacy generally tends to be used after
dollar diplomacy fails, and its effectiveness lies in a
threat and/or its actualization: do what we tell you to, or
we'll beat you with our bigger stick. The U.S. has done
this numerous times, most recently in Iraq under the
pretext of eliminating weapons of mass destruction that
were never found. While Obama did not explicitly
mention the big stick diplomatic tactic, it is implied in
affirmation that "Our conscience and our interests in
peace and security call upon the United States and the
international community to act with a sense of urgency
and purpose." These words are remarkably similar to
those uttered by George W. Bush and his father before
attacking Iraq.
The original U.S. big stick and dollar diplomacies were
put into effect because American could not, at the time, dictate terms to other countries because the global
empires of the British, French and Spanish were still too strong. In our stage of globalization, the same holds
true for different reasons. This is why Alex de Waal, Sudan expert at the Social Science Research Council,
rightly states that "It is not as if the US can dictate the terms, let alone bring along Russia, China, and the Arab
world." As current events, President Salahadin is right to think these diplomatic moves are "new" in terms of
U.S.-Sudan relations, but they are far from it as historical forces that have shaped the future in which we live.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the difference between “dollar diplomacy” and “big stick diplomacy”?
2. When is “dollar diplomacy” or “big stick diplomacy” used in your life as a student?
U.S. Imperialism 1880-1910
Mr. Judd
Directions: Identify the following locations on the world map provided below: See Pgs. A14-A15 in textbook
United States
Atlantic Ocean
Philippines
Panama Canal Zone
Spain
Pacific Ocean
Guam (insert island onto map)
Puerto Rico
Cuba
China
Hawaiian Islands
Alaska
Panama Canal
Mr. Judd
For many years, sailors had wished for a shortened way to
navigate their ships from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. At
the turn of the century, the journey took seven thousand miles
(11,270 kilometers). However, beginning on August 15, 1914,
it became a trip of forty miles (64.4 kilometers).
Panama is a small nation lying at the base of Central America
and at the northwest corner of Columbia, South America. Its
area is relatively narrow. In the 1880s, the French attempted to
build a canal across the nation, but their plans were ineffective.
They also had to deal with rampant jungle diseases such as
malaria and yellow fever. France gave up its efforts.
In 1904, the United States, under the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt, gained the rights to build
a canal through Panama. The project began with a vengeance. Americans arrived in Central America by the
thousands, hoping to capitalize on high wages. However, the problems of disease and climate were the same for
the Americans as they had been for the French. In order to succeed, different tactics had to be taken.
President Roosevelt hired a chief engineer, General George W. Goethals, to head the project. Goethals and
his team developed a system of locks that would raise and lower the water level for the passage of ships.
General William Gorgas was brought on board to curb the effects of malaria and yellow fever. Although he
was not able to stop the diseases, he did reduce the death toll from thirty-nine per thousand workers in 1906 to
seven per thousand workers by 1914. However, throughout the project, nearly six thousand workers died.
The entire project required the removal of 240 million cubic yards of earth. The number of workers
employed reached, at its peak, 40,000, and the cost for the project, which took ten years to complete, was more
than $350 million.
Finally complete in summer 1914, the Panama Canal let pass its first ship, the Alcon, on August 15 with a
shipload of officials on board. As they sailed the meager miles from ocean to ocean, no one seemed to mind the
toll the canal had taken, and they rejoiced in the fifteen or so hours it took to sail completely through the
passage. Although the canal could never repay the lives lost, it has more than repaid the financial costs. Today,
approximately seventy ships pass through the canal each day at a cost of approximately $7,000 in tolls.