BELLWORK
1. Was the Populist party successful? Why or
why not? Explain!
2. Why would the U.S. want to expand beyond
its borders in the 1890s?
3. Who were the “rough riders?” (pg. 218)
4. What is imperialism?
5. THINKER: In YOUR opinion, do you think the
United States’ practice of Imperialism is a
positive or negative thing? Explain!
Imperialism: good or bad?
GOOD: gain of territory, resources,
power, wealth, spread technology
and religion; step towards
“globalization”
BAD: moral grounds, loss of
culture, “power-hungry,” taking
advantage of other countries, loss
of natural resources, oppressed,
leaves them dependent
America Becoming a World Power
Japan had not traded with a Western power for 250
years, but had great coal deposits.
Open Door Policy: Commodore Matthew Perry sailed
to Tokyo and “opened” or negotiated trade. The growth
of Asian markets stimulated the U.S. economy.
Imperialism: establishing economic, political, and
military dominance over weaker nations
1867 – U.S. seized the Midway Islands in the Pacific
(strategic for trade with China & Japan)
1867 – U.S. buys Alaska from Russia
Gold, copper, and oil are discovered in Alaska.
BEFORE
A
F
T
E
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Causes of the Spanish-American War
Cuba had struggled for 30 years over
independence from Spain.
Some argued Cuba was part of the U.S. geographically close & great economic potential
(sugar)
1895 – Cuban rebels launched a fight for
independence. Spanish retaliated by placing
them in concentration camps.
1896 – McKinley elected President; openly
supports Cuban independence.
The U.S.S. Maine
U.S. Naval warship stationed in Havana
harbor.
On February 15, 1898 an explosion sunk
the ship, killing 250 Americans
Yellow journalism blamed Spain, &
American people agreed
Yellow Journalism: exaggerated or
completely false news stories (sold more
papers!)
Scientists believe the explosion was
actually caused by a coal fire, leading to the
explosion of magazines/ammunition.
1. scare headlines in huge print, often of minor
news
2. lavish use of pictures, or imaginary drawings
3. use of faked interviews, misleading headlines,
pseudo-science, and false facts from so-called
experts
4. emphasis on full-color Sunday supplements,
usually with comic strips (which is now normal
in the U.S.)
5. dramatic sympathy with the "underdog" against
the system.
U.S.S. Maine = WAR!
February explosion of warship U.S.S.
Maine; Americans blame Spain
April 11, 1898 – Congress declares
Cuba’s independence
April 24, 1898 – Spain declares war
U.S. also begins to focus on the Spanish
territory of the Philippines.
Why was it necessary for the U.S. to get
control of the Philippines?
Hawaii: U.S. state or not??
American planters and missionaries had
been in Hawaii since 1875 when the Senate
allowed Hawaiian sugar to enter the U.S.
duty free.
1887 – King Kalakaua granted the U.S.
rights to build a naval base on Pearl Harbor
to protect American interests in the Pacific.
1893 – American sugar planters in Hawaii
staged a rebellion against Queen Liluokalani
Winning Control of Hawaii
U.S. Marines stepped in and took
control. Congress moved toward official
annexation; the process took another
five years
1900 – Hawaii becomes a U.S. territory
After a massive growth in the economy,
the attack of Pearl Harbor, and WWII,
Hawaii became a U.S. state in 1959.
Reading: The Debate Over Hawaii
You are going to read an article
about the U.S. annexation of Hawaii.
Answer the following questions on
the same sheet of paper.
USE COMPLETE
SENTENCES……I will be taking off
points!
Turn them in once you are finished!
Should the U.S. Annex Hawaii?
1. What did Americans force King Kalakaua to sign?
What did this entail?
2. What made Americans start plotting to overthrow
Queen Liliuokalani?
3. What did the new 1894 Constitution, written by
Hawaiian-born Americans say?
4. What was the difference between President
Cleveland and President McKinley’s views on the
annexation of Hawaii?
5. Why did the U.S. want to annex Hawaii? List some
reasons.
6. Do you think the U.S. should have annexed Hawaii
in 1898? Why or Why not?