Spanish American War
•
By the end of 1898 the war was
coming to an end.
•
The Peace Treaty –
1. recognition of Cuban
independence.
2. U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico
and Guam.
3. U.S. acquisition of the
Philippines in return for payment to
Spain of $20 million.
Platt Amendment (1901)
• 1998 peace treaty – 1901 U.S. withdrawal
• Cuban Nationalists disliked U.S. 4 points
1. never to sign a treaty with a foreign power
that impaired its independence.
2. never to build up an excessive public debt.
3. to permit the U.S. to intervene in Cuba’s
affairs to preserve its independence and
maintain law and order.
4. to allow the U.S. to maintain naval bases in
Cuba, including one at Guantanamo Bay.
Open Door Policy with China
• Boxer Rebellion (1900) – “Society of
Harmonious Fists” – Chinese nationalists
• Xenophobia – hatred and fear of
foreigners.
• U.S. forces in Peking (Beijing)
• $ to be paid weakens Imperial regime.
• John Hay – McKinley’s Sec. of State
– Concerned over growing influence (spheres of
influence) Russia, Japan, Great Britain,
France, and Germany.
Hay’s action - 1900
• U.S. will be committed to:
– Preserve China’s territorial integrity
– Safeguard “equal and impartial trade with all
parts of the Chinese empire”
Recognition of U.S. power
• Outcome of the Spanish American War.
– Annexation and Acquisition
• Growth in size: Immigration and
movement west.
• Growth in Industry and Finance / Trade
• Growth in Military / Spheres of Influence
• Other Imperial nations recognized the new
and seemingly endless power of the U.S.
Theodore Roosevelt’s
“Big-Stick” Policy
• “speak softly and carry a big stick”
• Panama Canal – eager to begin
construction on the isthmus of Panama for
a canal, - (purpose?)
• TR supports Panama independence and
uprising against Colombian control.
• 1903 – Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty –
granting U.S. long-term control of canal
zone.
“Big Stick” continued…
• Hay-Pauncefote Treaty – 1901
• British agreed to abrogate (?) an earlier
treaty (1850 – U.S. / British joint venture in
creation of a Central American canal).
• U.S. can now dig canal without
involvement from Europe.
Panama Canal
• Started in 1904 – completed in 1914.
• Most Americans liked the idea of a canal.
• Many did not, especially Latin Americans
who resented U.S. “strong arming”
Panama.
• 1921 – U.S. Congress votes to pay
indemnity (?) of $25 million to Colombia
for loss of Panama.
Roosevelt Corollary
• Building on the Monroe Doctrine.
• Latin American nations cannot afford debts
owed to European nations.
• 1902 – Britain sends warships to
Venezuela for collection of loans.
• 1904 – Europe was poised to intervene in
Santo Domingo (the Dominican Republic).
• TR updates Monroe Doctrine to read that
U.S. will get involved, “whenever
necessary.”
Effects of Roosevelt Corollary
• For the next 20 years in justifies the U.S.
sending forces to Haiti, Honduras, the
Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua.
• Long-term results leaves U.S. with poor
reputation / relations with Latin America.
Russo-Japanese War
• 1904-1905
• Imperialist rivalry between Russia and Japan.
• Especially Manchuria, area of northern China
(sphere of influence)
• TR arranged diplomatic conference between the
two nations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in
1905.
• Successful negotiations – later TR will receive
the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the war.
Japan and U.S. Relations
• Japanese nationalists resented U.S.
involvement in Russo-Japanese War.
• Japan did not like the immigration
restrictions that still existed in California
discriminating against Japanese and
Japanese Americans.
• “gentlemen’s agreement” – 1908 – Japan
will limit the number of workers emigrating
and TR would call for an end to California
Laws on the issue.
Great White Fleet
• To show off U.S. military prowess, TR
sends a fleet of battleships on an aroundthe-world cruise (1907-1909).
• The fleet arrives in Tokyo Bay, Japan, and
is warmly welcomed.
Root-Takahira Agreement
•
•
•
•
1908
Secretary of State Root (U.S.)
Japanese Ambassador Takahira (?)
Agreement pledging
1) mutual respect for each nation’s Pacific
possessions.
2) support for the Open Door policy in
China.