Chapter 18 – America Claims an Empire
18.1 – Imperialism and America
Why did Americans support imperialism? Imperialism: stronger countries
taking control over weaker countries
1. Desire for military strength
2. Create new markets
3. Superiority of American culture (racism)
1. Military Strength: Alfred T. Mahan built up the U.S. Navy, built
modern battleships, and the U.S. became the largest naval power.
2. New Markets: businesses needed markets for their goods and raw
materials for their factories
3. Superiority: Americans were believed they were better than people
in other countries and some wanted to spread their Christianity and
culture to others
The U.S. buys territory
-Alaska in 1867 from Russia for $7.2 million
-The U.S. forced Hawaii to build Pearl Harbor, a naval base, in 1887.
-William McKinley annexed Hawaii in 1898.
18.2 – The Spanish-American War
Cuba and Spain were at war with one another and Cubans wanted
American aid. Yellow journalism exaggerated the news.
Why did Americans become angry with Spain?
1. A Spanish official insulted President William McKinley saying he was
a weak leader
2. The U.S.S. Maine was in Cuba to protect Americans, but the ship
exploded and 260 people died. Newspapers blamed Spain
War with Spain erupted on April 1898.
 First battle was in the Philippines – a Spanish colony for 300 years
 In May, an American naval commander sailed to the Philippines and
destroyed the Spanish fleet.
 For the next 2 months, U.S. soldiers fought on the side of Filipino
rebels.
 Spanish surrendered to the U.S. in August in the Philippines.
 In Cuba, the U.S. blocked off a harbor and Spanish ships couldn’t
leave.
 Volunteer soldiers, called the “Rough Riders,” helped win the battle
of San Juan Hill.
 The Spanish surrendered on July 25 in Cuba.
The Treaty of Paris was signed:
 Cuba became independent
 Spain gave Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S.
 The U.S. bought the Philippine Islands for $20 million
 Americans had mixed feelings about imperialism
18.3 – Acquiring New Lands
How did Puerto Ricans feel about U.S. control?
-Resented them because U.S. military officials insulted them and
limited their freedom.
-The Foraker Act ended military rule and set up a civil government
-In 1917, Congress made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens
How did the U.S. keep control over Cuba?
-Cuba was independent, but the U.S. army stayed there for 4 years
-Cubans wrote a constitution and the U.S. insisted they add the Platt
Amendment
Platt Amendment: Limited Cuba’s rights when dealing with
other countries and gave the U.S. special privileges.
-Cuba became a U.S. protectorate
Protectorate: a country that is controlled by a stronger power
Why did the Filipinos rebel against the United States?
-Thought the U.S. promised independence; felt betrayed.
-The U.S. won the rebellion and set up a government like Cuba’s
What were U.S. interests in China?
-They wanted to trade with China
-Open Door Notes: message sent to other countries to protect U.S.
trading rights in China.
-Boxer Rebellion: Chinese rebellion against Western influence, 1900.
18.4 America as a World Power
How did Roosevelt use American power?
 Roosevelt became president in 1901 and he used American power to
help settle the Russo-Japanese War.
 Helped build the Panama Canal.
 Created a statement called the Roosevelt Corollary:
o The U.S. wouldn’t allow Europeans to influence the Western
Hemisphere.
Why did Woodrow Wilson send troops to Mexico?
 He wanted countries to have democratic governments
 Mexicans rebelled, but the U.S. sent in troops
 In 1917, he took his troops out and Mexico adopted a constitution
 Wilson faced a possible war with Europe