“We are Anglo-Saxons, and must obey our
blood and occupy new markets, and, if
necessary, new lands.”
-Senator Albert Beveridge, April 27 1896
“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, December 13, 1896
What do you think this quote means?
Roosevelt defines “Civilized”
 Civilized- White, Anglo-Saxon,
economically developed, industrial
goods.
 Uncivilized- Non-white, Latin, or Slavic,
supplier of raw materials and markets.


Since War of 1812- not very involved in European politics.
Examples of Imperialism
 Seward tried to purchase Hawaii and Danish West Indies,
but instead got the Midway Islands and the rights to build
a canal in Nicaragua.

French tried to take Mexico during Civil War and Seward
threatened Napoleon III and he backed down.

Purchase of Alaska
Reasons for Imperialism
1) Needed worldwide markets for growing
industrial and agricultural surpluses.
2) Sources of raw materials.
3) International Darwinism

Missionaries- Reverend Josiah Strong wrote that it was
Protestant Americans duty to colonize other lands in
order to spread Christianity.

Politicians- Republicans generally allied with business
leaders who wanted more resources and markets.
(Henry Cabot Lodge and Theodore Roosevelt)

Naval Power- U.S Navy Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan
wrote that a strong navy was crucial for a country to
become a world power. (his book influenced the
decision to build modern steel ships for the US Navy)

Popular Press- Newspapers and magazines sold more
stories if they wrote adventure stories about exotic
distance places.



Monroe Doctrine (1820’s) US had taken a strong
interest in the Western Hemisphere.
Secretary of State (Under Harrison) James Blaine
went to the Pan-American Conference in 1889.
Helped start cooperation economically and
politically.




Venezuela and British colony of Guiana fighting over
a boundary dispute.
1895 & 1896 President Cleveland and Secretary of
State Richard Olney wanted Britain to arbitrate the
dispute.
Britain decides that US friendship was more
important and backs down.
1895 and forward the relationship between Britain
and the US would be solid.




American imperialism turns toward Cuba.
Reasons to Pursue Cuba.
Large American investments in Cuban sugar.
Spanish misrule of Cuba
Monroe Doctrine
Jingoism- Intense form of nationalism
calling for aggressive foreign policy.
-Presidents Cleveland and McKinley
thought it would be morally and
economically unsound to use military
action.
 Cuban Revolt- Cubans revolted and
Spain sent 100,000 troops to suppress the
revolt.


Yellow Press- Pulitzer’s New York World
and Hearst’s New York Journal - Printed
false and exaggerated accounts of
Spanish atrocities in Cuba.

De Lome Letter 1898- Spanish diplomat’s
letter was leaked to the press and
printed in the Journal. Highly critical letter
of President McKinley.
Sinking of the Maine- Less than 1 week after the De
Lome letter, U.S battleship the Maine was
anchored in the harbor of Havana, Cuba.
-Exploded and killed 260 Americans on board.
-Yellow Press accused Spain of blowing up the ship.

McKinley gave Spain an ultimatum to agree on a
ceasefire in Cuba. Spain agreed
 But U.S newspapers and majority of Congress
demanded war.
 Eventually McKinley gave in to the pressure.
Reasons:
1) Put and end to the barbarities, bloodshed,
starvation, and horrible miseries in Cuba.
2) Protect the lives and property of U.S citizens living in
Cuba.
3) End the very serious injury to the commerce, trade,
and business of the our people.
4) End the constant menace to our peace arising
from the disorders of Cuba.


What four groups were in favor of
Imperialism?

What early 19th century policy did
America use to justify their involvement in
Cuba/ the Spanish American War?

Define jingoism.


Congress authorized war on April 20th.
Teller Amendment :U.S would not take political
control of Cuba and once peace was restored the
Cuban people would control their own
government.
First shots were fired in Manila Bay in the Philippines
 Secretary of State John Hay called it
“a splendid little war.”
Philippines
 Theodore Roosevelt(Assistant secretary of the
navy) realized the value of Spanish territory in the
Pacific.
 Ordered the new all-steel navy and Commodore
George Dewey to the Philippines.
 U.S took over Manila Bay and eventually took over
the City of Manila on August 13.

Very ill-prepared group of U.S soldiers landed in
Cuba in June.
 Disease killed 5000 American soldiers compared to
500 dying in battle.
 “Rough Riders” led by Theodore Roosevelt went on
a charge up San Juan Hill.
 More important was the U.S Navy demolishing the
Spanish fleet in Santiago Bay on July 3. No navy for
Spain = Surrender.


Signed in Paris on Dec 10, 1898.

Recognition of Cuban independence.
U.S acquisition of Puerto Rico and Guam.
U.S acquisition of the Philippines for $20 million.


Imperialists v. Anti-imperialists
Congress argues over whether to pass the Treaty of
Paris.
Anti-imperialists argued it violated the Declaration of
Independence.
Feb. 6, 1899- Imperialists won out and it was ratified
(57-27) (Thanks to William Jennings Bryan)
William Jennings Bryan v. William
McKinley
 Bryan hoped to use anti-imperialism as a
platform.
 Backfired and McKinley won
convincingly.

Over time Puerto Rico became a part of
the U.S
 1917- Congress passed the Jones Act to
make Puerto Rico U.S territory and U.S
citizens.
 Americans take advantage of Puerto
Rican sugar.
 Helped and hurt their economy.


With a partner, think of ways the United
States is still imperialistic.

How would the U.S be different today if it
had not become imperialistic?
American missionaries had settled Hawaii in the
1830’s. (hurt Hawaiian society.)
 U.S expansionists wanted the lands to make bases.
 American planters wanted to overthrow the
Hawaiian monarch, Queen Liliuokalani.
(Needed duty free sugar, thus make Hawaii a state)
 President Harrison signed the annexation as he left
office but President Cleveland would not support it.
 When Republicans returned to power they
approved the annexation of Hawaii in 1898.

3000 miles south of Hawaii
 American naval station
 America, Germany, and Britain tried to establish
say over Samoa.
 All 3 divided Samoa.
 Eventually, Germany and the US split Samoa and
compensated Britain.

Cuba was occupied by the U.S until 1902.
 Cuba created a constitution that made no reference
to the U.S
 Congress Response: Platt Amendment:
Cuba must agree
1) Never to sign a treat with a foreign power that
impaired independence.
2) Never 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 at Guantanamo Bay.






1898-1902 (LONG!!!!!!!!!!)
Vicious war
Philippine insurgent forces trying to gain
independence. (led by Emilio Aguinaldo)
Extreme brutality and atrocities on both sides.
Ended when Aguinaldo was captured and signed
a treaty.






American interest in Asia/China were growing.
Germany, France, Russia, England, and Japan
were also exploiting China.
President McKinley and Secretary of State John
Hays both asked for “Open Door Notes”
Boxer Rebellion
Secret Chinese martial-arts society against
foreigners.
Murdered/attacked dozens of Christian
missionaries.
U.S troops helped put down the rebellion in Beijing
China.




Venezuela unable to pay debts to European
countries.
Germany bombarded Venezuela and rumored
making a permanent base there.
Roosevelt threatened Germany and they
retreated.
Roosevelt Corollary- (Example: Dominican
Republic)






French had failed in Panama
US compromised and bought the holding for
$40million.
Sent John Hays(Secretary of State) to negotiate with
Columbian diplomats
Tomas Herren- Signed an agreement giving the US
rights for $10million and $250,000 a year.
Columbian gov. refused and sent a counter for $20
million.
Roosevelt helped aid a revolution in Panama, and 3
days later Roosevelt recognized them as and
independent nation.

Taft- “Dollar Diplomacy”- Use money to negotiate.
Wilson- “Moral Diplomacy”- Issue with Mexico.
 Madero became new leader and was hostile
towards US.
 US backed Victoriano Huerta to overthrow Madero
under Taft. Huerta’s men kill Madero.
 Wilson refuses to back Huerta “government of
butchers”
 Veracruz- US tried to seize Veracruz and 126
Americans die.
 Pancho Villa- led a rebel army. Killed 16 American
miners. US.
