THE AMERICAN EMPIRE I
UNIT 11
THE AMERICAN PERIL
High tariffs globally restricted trade among nations forcing countries to look overseas to Africa and Asia to sell their
goods. With America’s territory quickly filling up with no room to expand, a new industrial America began looking
beyond its own borders too compete with European nations and become a imperial world power
imperialism – forceful extension of a nation's authority over a territory through economic, political or military conquest
IMPERIALISM’S DRIVING FORCES
Need for New Territories – the Frontier Thesis, written by Frederick Jackson Turner in 1890, created the American
frontier as a vital part in shaping the character of the American people
- with the closing of the American frontier in 1890 (there was no more uncontrolled territory), the United
States needed new territories to explore
- the closing of the frontier also created fears that the nations natural resources would dry up and therefore
new alternative sources would be needed in the future
International Status – to keep up with the great countries of the world, America had to get into the colonies business
which required a large powerful navy to protect its colonies and its interests overseas
Alfred T. Mahan (1890) - U.S. Naval officer and historian who wrote The Influence of Sea Power upon History
arguing that naval power was the key to success in international politics
- controlling the seas held the decisive factor in modern warfare  the U.S. bordered two oceans and
therefore needed two fleets (Atlantic and Pacific)
- his believes led to a naval arms race among Europe and the United States for large powerful navies
Social Darwinism – a theory that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection could be applied to
societies believing social progress came from the “survival of the fittest”  strong advanced while the weak fell
behind
- theory of natural selection applied to nations theorizing how strong nations advanced while weak nations fell
- America and Europe used this theory to justify acquisition of territory, citing their advanced technology as a sign
of superiority granting them the right to rule over weaker people and nations
“White Man’s Burden” – a common belief that it was the moral responsibility of advanced nations to civilize
primitive people (people of color)
- following the Industrial Revolution, white races in the late 19th century considered their new technology
(weapons, communication, power, transportation) as superiority to other people  this attitude reflected
racism believing that one race is superior to another
- Americans like Josiah Strong believe it was the United States moral responsibility to make every
possible person on the face of the earth a Christian
TERRITORIAL EXPANSION
Since the nation’s founding, the United States had always found itself looking past its own borders to territories beyond.
From the Louisiana Purchase to the Mexican Cession; the United States as a nation of expansion.
Japan (1853) – Commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay forcing Japan out of a 200-year isolation from the
world opening up not only Japan but Asia for trade
Alaska (1867) – nicknamed Seward’s Folly (Sec. of State) by critics, the United States purchased Alaska from the
Russian Empire for $7.2 million
Hawaii – since the mid-1800s, American planters had established sugarcane plantations in Hawaii
1872 – tariffs from Hawaiian goods were dropped to help support American businesses on the island  planters
began imposing their power of the Hawaiian monarchy
1891 – Queen Liliuokalani tries to assert her own power over the planters who overthrow her and request that the
U.S. annex them  opposed to imperialism, President Cleveland refuses
1898 – when McKinley becomes president, he accepts the planters’ request for annexation making Hawaii a U.S.
territory  promoted by the desire to build a military base at Pearl Harbor
The America Empire I 1
THE SPLENDED LITTLE WAR
Before the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898, the United States had achieved the 5th most powerful navy in the
world. Not an imperial nation yet, the nation had the power to become one if the situation arrived. That same year a
crisis in Cuba provided that situation “Never let a good crisis go to waist” – Winston Churchill
Cuban Revolution (1895) –Spanish-owned Cuba launched a revolution against Spain whose empire was beginning to
show signs of weakness
- Cuba had long been of interest to American businessmen who had actual businesses or investments in Cuba
so when the revolution begins, America took interest.
- to prevent the civilians from aiding the rebels, Spain began rounding up civilians in rural areas (nearly
300,000) into reconcentration camps to keep a close eye on them  thousands die from disease or
malnutrition
Stories of the reconcentration camps spread quickly through the United States thanks to newspapers
yellow journalism - use of sensationalized and exaggerated reporting used attract readers
William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) competed heavily with Joseph Pulitzer (New York
World) for newspaper ratings printing exaggerated stories fueling public opinion against Spain
“You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war” – William Heart
THE SPARK
The United States had made it known that if Spain ever wanted to get rid of Cuba; it had to come to the United States. If any other
country attempted to take it, there would be war.
De Lome Letter (Feb. 1898) – letter written by a Spanish official criticized President McKinley’s handling of the Cuban
Revolution which further fueled America’s anger at Spain
U.S.S. Maine (Feb. 1898) – President McKinley sent the battleship to Havana harbor intended to protect American
interests there, crush any type of hostilities, and prevent other nations from taking the island it explodes three
weeks after arriving killing 260 men
- the press fueled by yellow journalism immediately blame a Spanish mine for the incident
- jingoism (attitude of aggressive foreign policy as part of nationalism) takes over with many calling for war
Theodore Roosevelt (Assistant Secretary to the Navy) – calls very strongly for war and makes a name for himself
criticizing the president for inaction, forming his own volunteer cavalry unit to go fight in Cuba.
Spanish American War (Apr-Aug 1898) – the United States and Spain go to war
Pacific
Admiral George Dewey - leads the U.S. Navy from Hong Kong (China) to the Spanish controlled Philippines in
the first conflict of the war in the Battle of Manila Bay
- the United States engages the Spanish fleet in the Philippines in the morning defeats the Spanish Navy
before lunch taking control over the Philippines without losing a man!  Guam is also seized
Caribbean
Battle of San Juan Hill – a volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt called the “Rough Riders”
helped capture this important Spanish stronghold in Cuba
- Spanish fleet is defeated soon after and retreat  the U.S. occupied nearby Puerto Rico a few weeks
later
Treaty of Paris 1898 – ended the war and left the United States in possession of the Guam, and Puerto Rico through
annexation, and the Philippines through a payment of $20 million. However, Cuba remained under American
military occupation to prepare the island for independence until 1902.
After defeating the Spanish (a mighty European power), the United States became a world power.
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