Chapter 10
America Claims an Empire
IMPERIALISM
Imperialism in America
Main Idea
• Beginning in 1867
and continuing
through the century,
global competition
caused the United
States to expand.
Why It Matters Now
• During this time period,
the U.S. acquired Hawaii
and Alaska, both of which
became states in 1959.
QUESTION: How would
we expand our
empire??? What
would we need to do
in order to grow?
What is Imperialism?? #1
•
This idea was called
imperialism —the policy
in which stronger nations
extend economic,
political or military
control over weaker
territories.
Europe was already doing this….where
was U.S. in this game??
Supplemental Videos
• John Green Imperialism
• Imperialism for Dummies
Three Factors that Fueled Imperialism ??#2
• Three factors fueled
American imperialism: #3
• The desire for military
strength
• Admiral Alfred T. Mahan
urges U.S. to build up navy to
compete
• U.S. builds modern
battleships, becomes third
largest naval power
Three Factors that Fueled Imperialism ??#2
• Three factors fueled
American imperialism:
• New economic markets (trade)
• U.S. farms, factories produce
more than
Americans can consume
• U.S. needs raw materials, new
markets for goods
• Foreign trade: solution to
overproduction, unemployment,
depression
Three Factors that Fueled Imperialism ??#2
• Three factors fueled
American imperialism: #4
• Belief that American
culture was superior to
others.(ethnocentrism)
• Some combine Social
Darwinism, belief in
superiority of Anglo-Saxons
• Argue U.S. has duty to
Christianize, civilize
“inferior peoples” #5
“Well, I hardly know which to take first!”
What did William Seward, Sec of State
Acquire from the Russians? #6
• William Seward was Secretary of
State for presidents Lincoln and
Andrew Johnson.
• In 1867 he purchased Alaska from
Russia for $7.2 million.
• Some opponents in Congress
made fun of the deal calling it
“Seward’s Icebox” or “Seward’s
Folly.”
Why did the U.S. have an interest in
Hawaii? #7
• The Hawaiian Islands = IMPORTANT to
U.S. financially (due to sugar
plantations).
• ¾ of Hawaii’s wealth due
to American-owned sugar
plantations.
It’s all about the taxes…..#7
• In 1875, the U.S. agreed to import Hawaiian
sugar duty-free (tax-free).
• McKinley Tariff (1890) passed requiring
American plantation owners to PAY
TAXES….Reaction????
• Called for the U.S. to annex Hawaii. (didn’t
want to pay taxes)
The End of a Monarchy #8
• Queen Liliuokalani (1891) wanted to give
more power back to the Hawaiians NOT the
American business owners.
• American business owners organized revolt
against queen and took control of island.
The End of a Monarchy #8
• Sandford Dole becomes head of Government. #9
• President Cleveland directed Dole to restore the queen in
1893
• Dole refuses.
• McKinley and Congress annex Hawaii in 1898
Why did the U.S. eventually get involved with
events surrounding Cuba? #10
•
•
1868-1878 Cubans fought for
their independence from Spain.
Sugar was important investment
for the U.S.
1. Treatment of cuban prisoners
2. De Lome Letter criticizing the U.S.
President
3. Battleship U.S.S. Maine exploded
(killed 260 Americans died) =
blamed Spain for explosion…go to
war???
De Lome
What is yellow journalism? #12
• Exaggerated news to
make events more
exciting
• Example: Treatment of
Cubans by the Spanish
to upset Americans.
Hearst to Frederick
Remington:
You furnish the pictures,
and I’ll furnish the war!
What is significance of
U.S.S. Maine? #13
• U.S. battleship was
stationed in Cuba to
protect American
citizens.
• February 15, 1898 the
ship exploded.
• 260 Americans killed
(officers/crew)
• Blamed Spain for
attack.
#14 What did Commodore George Dewey
accomplish in the war in the Philippines?
• May 1, 1898 American
naval commander George
Dewey sailed into the
Philippines to destroy
Spanish fleet.
• 2 months later, Spanish
surrendered to the U.S.
(VICTORY)
#15 Who were the Rough Riders
and what did they accomplish?
• American troops landed on
the island of Cuba in June
1898.
• One unit of volunteer
soldiers, led by T. Roosevelt
helped win the important
battle of San Juan Hill.
• RESULT= T.Roosevelt
becomes hero, will help him
win presidency later.
What did the Treaty of Paris of 1898
determine?
•
•
Spain quickly signed a peace
treaty.
Treaty of Paris did the following:
1. Granted Cuba its independence
2. U.S. was given Puerto Rico &
Guam
3. Purchased Philippines for $20
million
•
•
Created problems
Imperialists vs. non-imperialists
= violated Spirit of Dec of
Independence for U.S. to
colonize
Puerto Rico
• Military Rule
• During SpanishAmerican War, General
Nelson
A. Miles occupies island
• Puerto Rico under
military control
• People split on
independence,
statehood,
self-government under
U.S.
Ruling Puerto Rico
• Return to Civil
Government
• PR strategic as post in
Caribbean, for protection
of future canal
• 1900, Foraker Act sets
up civil government
•
- president appoints
governor, upper house
• 1917, Puerto Ricans
made U.S. citizens; elect
both houses
Cuba
• U.S. didn't grant Cuba independence immediately
- Cuba had to agree to the Platt Amendment
- It gave the U.S. the right interfere in Cuban affairs when
there was a threat to life, property, and individual liberty
- Cuba had to allow an American naval base at Guantanamo
Bay.
Philippines
• President McKinley decided that the Philippines should
become an American Colony
- Philippines wanted independence
- Revolted against the U.S.
- 1902 - U.S. troops finally restored order
• July 4, 1946, Philippines became independent
Power in the Pacific
• U.S. always had interest in
Pacific
- 1853 - U.S. navy landed in
Tokyo Bay
- Led by Commodore
Matthew Perry
• He carried a letter from
President Millard Fillmore
• U.S. wanted Japan to open
ports to American trade
- Carried gifts
- Made it clear that Japan
should not refuse president's
request
Interest in China
• U.S. joined other
countries in competing
for control of China
- Saw China as vast
potential market for
investment &
opportunity
• France, Britain, Japan,
Russia had settlements,
& spheres of influence
• U.S. came up with trade
policy
• U.S. Secretary of State
John Hay issued Open
Door notes
Interest in China
• Open Door Policy no single country had
a monopoly on trade
with China
- Notes ask
imperialist nations to
share trading rights
with U.S.
- Other powers
reluctantly agree
The Boxer Rebellion in China
• Europeans dominate
most large Chinese cities
• Chinese formed secret
societies, including
Boxers, to expel
foreigners
• Boxers killed hundreds of
foreigners & Chinese
converts to Christianity
• U.S., Britain, France,
Germany, Japan put
down Boxer Rebellion
Protecting American Rights
• Hay issued new Open Door notes saying U. S. would keep
trade open
• Open Door policy reflected beliefs about U.S. economy:
- Growth depended on exports
- U.S. had right to keep markets open
- Closing of area threatens U.S. survival
The Anti-Imperialist League
• Several; well known Americans opposed
overseas expansion
- Andrew Carnegie
- Mark Twain
• They believed that the U.S. should not deny
other the right to govern themselves
• Their argument lost as everyone celebrated the
war victory
• 1902 - McKinley’s reelection confirmed most
Americans favored imperialism
Section 4
America as a World
Power
The Russo-Japanese War, the Panama Canal,
and the Mexican Revolution add to America’s
military and economic power.
Teddy Roosevelt and the World
• Roosevelt didn’t not want
Europeans to control world
economy & politics
• 1904 - Japan & Russia
disputed control of Korea
(Japanese-Russo War)
• Roosevelt negotiated Treaty
of Portsmouth:
- Japan received Manchuria &
Korea
- Roosevelt won Nobel Peace
Prize
• U.S. & Japan continued
diplomatic talks
- Pledged to respect each
other’s possessions
The Panama Canal
• U.S. wanted canal to cut
travel time of
commercial & military
ships
• Colombia controlled the
isthmus of Panama (Best
Spot)
• U.S. bought French
company’s route through
Panama
• Negotiated with
Colombia to build
Panama Canal
- Talks broke down
The Panama Canal
• French company agent
helped organize
Panamanian rebellion
- U.S. gave military aid
• Panama gained
independence
• U.S., Panama sign
treaty
• U.S. paid $10 million
for Canal zone
Constructing the Canal
• Construction of canal is
one of world’s greatest
engineering feats
- fought diseases &
geographic obstacles
- at height, 43,400
workers employed
• 5000 workers died
• Finished in 1914
• Canal cost $352 million
dollars
Policing the Hemisphere
• Roosevelt wanted it made
clear that the U.S was the
leading power in the
Americas
- Speak softly and carry a big
stick"
• Roosevelt reminded Europe
about the Monroe Doctrine
- It said that the U.S would
police the western
hemisphere
• Added the Roosevelt
Corollary - added to the
Monroe Doctrine
- Said that if a situation arose
that required international
police power the U.S. would
Policing the Hemisphere
• Later presidents
expanded
Roosevelt's" Big Stick
Diplomacy"
- Encouraged U.S.
companies to invest
in Latin America
- Promised military
support
Policing the Hemisphere
• Dollar diplomacy—
U.S. guarantees
foreign loans by U.S.
business
• Latin Americans saw
U.S. as bullies
- Created distrust
between U.S. and it
Latin American
neighbors
U.S. involvement in Latin
America
• Business leaders realized they could by products cheaply in
Latin America and sell them in the U.S. (coffee, bananas, and
copper)
• Bought large tracts of land
- Many people lost their land and were forced to take low
paying jobs
Woodrow Wilson’s Missionary
Diplomacy
• Missionary diplomacy - U.S.
had moral responsibility:
- would not recognize regimes
that are oppressive,
undemocratic
• A lot of U.S. investment in
Mexico under dictator
Porfirio Díaz,
• 1911, peasants & workers led
by Francisco Madero
overthrew Díaz (Mexican
Revolution)
• General Victoriano Huerta
took over government &
Madero was murdered
• Wilson refused to recognize
Huerta’s government
Intervention in Mexico
• Huerta’s officers arrested
U.S. sailors & quickly
release them
• Wilson ordered Marines
to occupy Veracruz
• Argentina, Brazil, & Chile
mediated to avoid war
• Huerta regime falls &
nationalist Venustiano
Carranza became new
president
Rebellion in Mexico
• Francisco “Pancho” &
Villa, Emiliano Zapata
opposed Carranza
- Zapata wanted land
reform
- Villa was a fierce
nationalist
• Wilson recognizes
Carranza’s government
• Villa threatened
reprisals
- Villa’s men killed
Americans
Chasing Villa
• Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing led
forces to capture Villa
• Carranza demanded
withdrawal of U.S. troops
- Wilson refuses at first
• U.S. faced war in Europe &
wants peace on southern
border (WWI)
- Wilson ordered Pershing
home
• Mexico adopted new
constitution:
- Government controls oil,
minerals
- restricted foreign investors