US HISTORY – 1898-1920 (Part 1)
American Expansionism, Rise of Power & Spanish-American War
American ExpansionismU.S. expands support for international affairs and plays a
stronger role. This was mostly due to the U.S. needing
new markets to sell the over-production of food and
goods. Security increased through stronger navy and
more military bases in other countries. Christian
missionary work also spread.
The 1875 free trade treaty allowed for the U.S. to buy
Hawaiian sugar plantations and land to build the Pearl
Harbor naval base.
Senator Proctor’s yellow journalism-type report on Spain’s
brutality in Cuba (de Lome letter) lead to the SpanishAmerican War, which was a turning point for the U.S. It
was an increase in world power (after sinking Spain’s
naval fleets in only 9 weeks!) and grew the economy
through massive trade and investments overseas. The
U.S. was also an imperialist nation after gaining Spain’s
colonies (Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico). Latin
America and Asia resented U.S. influence and colonialism.
The Panama Canal was economically and militarily
strategic for the U.S. when importing/exporting goods.
The U.S. was in a progressive era, going through social,
economic and political reform. Muckraking journalism
exposed reform problems. Political rights and the role of
the government expanded. State laws improved
democracy and gave citizens rights. Presidents T.R., Taft,
and Wilson were all progressive thinkers. Businesses were
regulated through the Hepburn Act (1906), the Interstate
Commerce Commission, the Clayton Antitrust Act (1914),
and the Pure Food and Drug Act/Meatpacking Inspection
Act (1906).
Monetary policy also came into play. A central banking
system was created to control money supply and to avoid
financial panics.
Some progressive amendments were developed to secure
rights, fix structural problems, and force society to change.
Congress could assess income tax (16th), people could elect
senators (17th), alcohol sales wereprohibited (18th), and
women gained the right to vote (19th).
On the other hand, black reform leaders found little
support. Blacks still faced voting restrictions, Jim Crow
Laws, lynchings, discrimination, race riots, and lower
wages/employment.
Important People & Events
Alfred T. Mahan (1890)- wanted stronger U.S. Navy and
and new bases to protect new foreign markets
Sanford B. Dole (1892)- a lawyer and jurist who advocated
the westernization of Hawaiian government and culture.
Henry Cabot Lodge- believe new frontiers would build
American spirit and keep the U.S. competitive
Theodore Roosevelt (T.R.)- U.S. president who made the
office of president powerful. He forced miners to to take
the “square deal”. He also used the Sherman Antitrust Act
to break up bad monopolies.
W.H. Taft (1909-1913)- The Dollar Diplomacy (direct
foreign investment to gain power)
Yellow journalism- sensational journalism
Open Door Policy (1899 McKinley)- U.S. would preserve
equal access by all nations to Chinese markets
Upton Sinclair- exposed unsanitary conditions in food
preparation through journal writing, “The Jungle” which
led to the Pure Food and Drug Act/Meatpacking Inspection
Act (1906)
Hepburn Act (1906)- helped regulate railroad business
Interstate Commerce Commission- had the power to set
“reasonable” mas business rates
Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)- defined what were
considered specific illegal business acts
Susan B. Anthony- Leader for women’s suffrage through
speaking, petitions, lobbying, and illegally voting
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)- Supreme Court upheld that
“separate but equal” facilities for blacks did not violate the
Constitution (legalized segregation); Black facilities were
inferior however.
W.E.B. Du Bois- leader who sought full rights for blacks;
Co-founder of the NAACP
Ida B. Wells- She was a journalist and teacher who led a
crusade against lynchings.