6-1: Imperialism, 1890-1900

Overview

U.S. thrown into position of international power

Debates over the nation’s proper role in the world

Territorial Acquisitions

Alaska, 1867

Seward’s folly

Abundance of natural resources

Hawaii, 1890s

Military interests—Pearl Harbor obtained

U.S. business interests—sugar

Overthrow of Hawaiian monarchy

U.S. annexation, 1898

Foreign Affairs: Europe and Latin America

The French in Mexico

Role of the Civil War

Monroe Doctrine and French

withdrawal

Pan-Americanism

Political/economic cooperation

between North and South

American nations

Venezuela

U.S.-British agreement over claims

in South America

Realignment of the U.S. and

Britain

“New Imperialism”

International Darwinism

Politicians

European example

Business/political interest in

raw materials and new markets

Justified through economic opportunities, racial theories, and competition with other empires

“New Imperialism”

International Darwinism

Missionaries

Imperialism included idea of moral improvement

“White Man’s Burden”

Naval Power

Mahan—control of seas the key to world dominance

“New Navy”

Media

Yellow journalism—sensational stories of exotic places

Stimulated demand for U.S. involvement around the world

“New Imperialism”

Anti-Imperialism

Cited principles of self-determination

American tradition of isolationism

Spanish-American War, 1898

Causes of the War

Cuban Revolt

Sinking of the Maine

De Lome Letter

Yellow Press

Teller Amendment—”Cuba Libre”

Fighting the War

The Philippines

Invasion of Cuba

Quick and decisive U.S. victory

Spanish-American War, 1898

Controversy over the Treaty of Peace

Territorial Acquisitions—Puerto Rico,

Guam, Philippines

The Philippines Question

Desire to annex Philippines stemmed from desire to promote U.S. interests in Asia

Filipino rebellion

Formation of American Anti-Imperialist League

Cuba and the Platt Amendment

Cuba given quasi-independence

Acquisition of Guantanamo Bay

U.S. protectorate

Spanish-American War, 1898

Other Results of the War

Insular Cases

Are Filipino people U.S. citizens?

W.J. Bryan—yes, protected by

Constitution

Imperialists and Supreme Court—no

Election of 1900

McKinley (R) resounding win over Bryan (D)

Affirms imperialist sentiments