Warm Up
What did the US gain from the Spanish
American War?
1. Read the short text you have been given
and write down the territories that US gained
control over as a result of the war
2. Using the map on the back of the paper
make a prediction: What problems might the
US face in the future as a result of all the
territories it now controlled?
You should list at least 3
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Agenda
• Warm Up: What did we get from the war?
Name the major events that put American on the world stage?
Define the policies of 3 different US presidents? What were the
cost and benefits of US foreign policy between 1890 & 1914?
• HW collected
• Presidents/Timeline
• Spanish American War Review
• Foreign Policy in Asia
• Panama Canal
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• 3 types of foreign policy
“We assert that no nation
can long endure half
republic and half empire,
and we warn the American
people that imperialism
abroad will lead quickly and
inevitably to despotism at
home”
-Democratic National
Platform (1900)
Becoming World Power
1890-1914
Causes of Imperialism
• E
• m
• P
• I
• R
• E
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Timeline of Presidents
• ( R) William McKinley 1897-1901 (assassinated)
–Spanish American War
• (R) Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt 1901- 1909
–Panama Canal
• (R) William Howard Taft (1909-1913)
• (D) Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)
–World War I
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
US Imperialism: Arguments for Expansion
American Frontier Closed - US pioneer
spirit looks towards foreign interests.
Expand or explode
Expand business interests-US economy
boomed. Companies built overseas factories. Need new
markets to prevent financial panics.
Military interests–International competition for
colonies would leave America behind. 1890 funding
approved for 3 battleships (US becomes 2 ocean navy).
International navy needs coaling ports.
Social Darwinism-
US must expand to survive.
Whites are superior race. Must spread superiority
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Spread Christianity-All nations should be
What event sparked the war with
Spain?
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Teddy Roosevelt Speech
“ To be prepared for war is the most effectual
means to promote the peace”
Is Roosevelt’s speech a convincing
justification for war? Why?
Write down your answer then turn and tell
your partner
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
The Cuban Revolt: America to the Rescue?
Cuba vs. Spain-Spanish rule oppressed the
Cubans. Cubans revolt. Spain responds by sending
General “Butcher” Weyler to crush the rebellion.
Cuban rebels placed in concentration camps (many
died due to poor sanitation).
America Backs Cuba-Sentimental: Cuba
was the underdog. Economic: American businesses
traded $100 million/year. Political: Spain is a dying
empire in America’s sphere of influence. Whoever
controls Cuba controls a potential Panama Canal.
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
The Cuban Revolt: America to the Rescue?
Yellow Journalism: The
practice of exaggerating stories
for political purposes, or to
attract more readers
Hearst vs. Pulitzer: 2 New
York Newspaper owners
competing for readers
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Each paper exaggerated the
reports on the atrocities in
Cuba.
United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
America and the Philippines: $20 Million for a Rebellion?
What to do with the Philippines-3
options. Give the islands back to Spain (misrule). Leave
the islands and not give them any help (irresponsible
and Germany or Japan would seize them resulting in
another war). US annexation. McKinley opted for
annexation (US Senate approved the treaty by one
vote)
Bitterness and Rebellion-Filipinos wanted
independence. 126,000 US troops sent to fight
rebellion against US.
Results-Fighting lasts until 1902. 4,234 Americans
killed. 600,000 Filipinos killed. Philippines not granted
independence until July 4, 1946.
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
Just Say No To Empire: The Anti-Imperialist
League
Anti-Imperialist League was to fight the
McKinley administration’s expansionist policies.
Prominent leaders included Mark Twain and
Andrew Carnegie.
Anti-Imperialist Objections-
•Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution state it is the right of the people to
choose their form of government.
•Imperialism was against America’s anti-colonial
policy.
•Imperialism would be too costly.
•Annexation would pull the US politically and
militarily into Asia (okay to be pulled
economically).
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
America in Asia: Japan
Matthew Perry Opens Japan-
US sent 4 nave ships in 1853 and negotiated
trade agreement with Japan
Results-
-Japan begins to use western technology to build up
their country
-Japan begins to gain power and build up an Empire of
their own in the Pacific
What problems will this cause down
the road for the US?
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
America in Asia: China and the Open Door
Open Door Policy-
European powers are
competing for influence over China. The US convinces
all of them to allow equal access to trade with the
Chinese
Boxer Rebellion-(1900) Super-patriotic
group of Chinese trained in martial arts
murdered foreigners and Christians. A
multinational force (including American soldiers)
stopped the rebellion.
Results-Gave all nations equal trading
access in China. Guaranteed that China would
not be taken over by a foreign power.
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
American Power: Building the Panama Canal
Background-US needs a two ocean navy to
protect interests. Spanish-American war
demonstrated the lack of mobility.
Rights to the Canal-Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
(1901). Authorized the US to construct and manage a
Central American canal. The canal was to be open to
all nations and rates to be fair and equal. (1902).
Revolution-Panama was part of Colombia.
Colombia rejected $10 million and $250,000/year.
(1903) the US navy supported Panamanian revolt. US
recognized independent Panama 3 days after revolt.
Construction-(1904-1914). Cost $400 million.
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Problems with labor, landslides, and disease.
4 Types of Foreign Policy
• Read through the four types of policies
• Complete the handout
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
Theodore Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy: Carry a Big
Stick
Roosevelt Corollary-Preventative
intervention. US would intervene in Latin America
to keep European powers out of the Western
Hemisphere.
Corollary Results-Used to justify all
interventions. US Marines will be sent multiple
times to Latin American countries. Latin American
countries views this as American oppression.
Roosevelt in Action-Roosevelt was not
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afraid to flex American muscle. Roosevelt acted as
mediator in Russo-Japanese War (won Nobel
Peace Prize in 1906). Sent the US Navy to protect
the Panamanian revolt (1903). (1907) ordered the
Great White Fleet on highly visible voyage around
the world (show off American naval power).
United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
William H. Taft’s Foreign Policy: Dollar Diplomacy
Background-Federal government
encouraged Wall Street bankers and other
major US corporations to invest in foreign
countries that were of a strategic concern
to the US. The dollar would replace
Roosevelt’s big stick.
Dollar Diplomacy in the
Caribbean-Main area of US strategic
importance. US pumped money into this
area to keep other countries out and to
uphold the Monroe Doctrine. Policy failed
when civil distress broke out in Cuba,
Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.
President Taft had to send in the Marines
to protect American investments.
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
Woodrow Wilson’s Foreign Policy: Moral
Diplomacy
Background-
•Wilson hated Roosevelt’s big stick and Taft’s dollar
diplomacy.
• Wilson believed that the US would be the world’s
conscience. Goal of American foreign policy would be to
spread democracy and promote peace.
Wilson in Action-Sometimes spreading
democracy required military action. Wilson sent the
Marines to Haiti (1914-1933) and the Dominican
Republic (1916-1924). (1916) Jones Act granted the
Philippines territorial status and promised independence
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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914
Woodrow Wilson’s Foreign Policy: Moral
Diplomacy
America’s Mexican Adventure-American
companies invested billions of dollars in Mexican oil,
railroads, and mines.
• (1913) Mexican people rebelled.
•(1914) Wilson sent the Navy to capture the port of
Vera Cruz.
• (1916) Wilson ordered General Pershing to break up
Pancho Villa’s group.
• (1917) US withdrew because threat of war with
Germany increased.
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Exit Questions
• What problems are associated with US
Policies of imperialism?
• What advantages/accomplishments came
out of our policy of imperialism?
• Does our policy of imperialism meet the
ideals of the Declaration of Independence?
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HW
• Create Flashcards for the following words:
Roosevelt Corollary, Dollar Diplomacy, Moral
Diplomacy
Panama Canal, Yellow Journalism, Open
Door Policy, Anti-Imperialist League,
Teddy Roosevelt, William Taft, Woodrow
Wilson
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