American Imperialism1870-1914

US History

Essential Questions:

1. Does the United States have the right to tell other countries how to run their governments?

2. Does the United States have the right to tell other countries how their people SHOULD live?

3. Does the US have the right to go into foreign lands to get resources we need?

If you were going to invade any country in the world- where would you invade and for what purpose?

I. What is imperialism?

a. the policy by which stronger countries extend their political, military, and economic control over weaker countries

b. Can be DIRECT or INDIRECT

II. Causes of American Imperialism

a. competition with European imperialist countries

b. ideas of cultural and racial superiority c. for strategic military locations d. To spread Christianity and Western

Civilization e. For natural resources and to open new

markets to sell American products

White Man’s Burden

III. US acquires new lands…

a. Alaska- how?

b. Hawaii- how?

IV. Spanish American War 1898-1901

a. Spain owned Cuba, Phillipines, Puerto Rico, and lots of small islands in the Pacific Ocean

b. Cuba wanted Independence from Spain

c. US decides to help Cuba overthrow Spanish government but needed an excuse to go to war

d. U.S.S. Maine blows up in Havana’s harbor, yellow journalists sensationalize reports of Spain’s mistreatment of Cuban nationalists

e. Rough Riders

1. Theodore Roosevelt emerges as a war hero

2. Rough Riders- volunteer cavalry unit

F. Outcome of the Spanish-American War

US wins

G. US Acquires New Territory from the Spanish-American War

1. US gains Guam, Puerto Rico, Phillipines, Samoa, Wake Island, Christmas Island, among many others

2. US still controls Cuba indirectly although they are technically “free”

a. US retains the right to intervene in Cuba if our business interests are threatened

b. US helps draft Cuban Constitution

3. US is officially an EMPIRE now!

3. Phillipines rebel against US presence

a. stage three year guerilla war

b. led by Emilio Aguinaldo

V. US wants in on China!

US wants to sell China products Senator John Hay- Open Door policy

Chinese mad- Boxer rebellion

VI. Theodore Roosevelt as Leader

a. When TR becomes president in 1901, he believes in imperialism

b. Wants US to be seen as a tough dude

c. “Walk softly and carry a big stick”

d. Teddy wants a canal

But how was he going to get it?

1. Panama wanted to separate from Colombia

2. US helps Panama overthrow Colombian government in exchange for the canal

Panama-Canal

e. What was it like to build the canal?

F. Why is the Panama Canal important?

G. Great White Fleet

Great White Fleet

a. Symbolic show of American power

b. Navy=a country’s strength

1. based on Alfred T. Mahan’s book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History

2. Strong navy= strong nation

H. TR exerts power over Latin America

1. Monroe Doctrine

2. Roosevelt Corollary- asserts US power to intervene in Latin America

3. “Sphere of influence”

4. “Hemispheric Hegemony”

US Interventions in Latin America- 1890-TODAY Argentina 1890 TroopsBuenos Aires interests protected Chile1891 TroopsMarines clash with nationalist rebels Haiti1891Troops Black workers revolt on U.S.-claimed Navassa

Island defeated Nicaragua1894Troops Month-long occupation of Bluefields Panama1895 Naval, troops Marines land in Colombian province Nicaragua1896 TroopsMarines land in port of Corinto Cuba1898-Naval, troops Seized from Spain, U.S. still holds Navy

base at Guantanamo Puerto Rico1898-Naval, troops Seized from Spain, occupation

continues Nicaragua1898TroopsMarines land at port of San Juan del Sur Nicaragua1899TroopsMarines land at port of Bluefields Honduras1903TroopsMarines intervene in revolution Dominican Republic1903-04TroopsU.S. interests protected in

Revolution Cuba1906-09TroopsMarines land in democratic election Nicaragua1907Troops"Dollar Diplomacy" protectorate set up Honduras1907TroopsMarines land during war with Nicaragua Panama1908TroopsMarines intervene in election

Nicaragua1910TroopsMarines land in Bluefields and Corinto Honduras1911TroopsU.S. interests protected in civil war Cuba1912TroopsU.S. interests protected in Havana Panama1912TroopsMarines land during heated election Honduras1912TroopsMarines protect U.S. economic interests Nicaragua1912-33Troops, bombing20-year occupation, fought

guerrillas Mexico1913NavalAmericans evacuated during revolution Dominican Republic1914NavalFight with rebels over Santo

Domingo Mexico1914-18Naval, troopsSeries of interventions against

nationalists Haiti1914-34Troops, bombing19-year occupation after revolts Dominican Republic1916-24Troops8-year Marine occupation Cuba1917-33TroopsMilitary occupation, economic protectorate Panama1918-20Troops"Police duty" during unrest after

elections Honduras1919TroopsMarines land during election campaign Guatemala1920Troops2-week intervention against unionists

Costa Rica1921Troops Panama1921Troops Honduras1924-25TroopsLanded twice during election strife Panama1925TroopsMarines suppress general strike El Salvador1932NavalWarships sent during Faribundo Marti

revolt Uruguay1947Nuclear threatBombers deployed as show of

strength Puerto Rico1950Command operationIndependence rebellion

crushed in Ponce Guatemala1954-?Command operation, bombing, nuclear

threatCIA directs exile invasion and coup d'Etat after newly elected government nationalizes unused U.S.'s United Fruit Company lands; bombers based in Nicaragua; long-term result: 200,000 murdered

Panama1958TroopsFlag protests erupt into confrontation Cuba1961Command operationCIA-directed exile invasion fails Cuba1962Nuclear threat, navalBlockade during missile crisis;

near-war with Soviet Union Panama1964TroopsPanamanians shot for urging canal's return Dominican Republic1965-66Troops, bombingMarines land during

election campaign Guatemala1966-67Command operationGreen Berets intervene

against rebels Chile1973Command operationCIA-backed coup ousts

democratically elected Marxist president

El Salvador1981-92Command operation, troopsAdvisors, overflights aid anti-rebel war, soldiers briefly involved in hostage clash; long-term result: 75,000 murdered and destruction of popular movementNicaragua1981-90Command operation, navalCIA directs exile (Contra) invasions, plants harbor mines against revolution; result: 50,000 murderedHonduras1982-90TroopsManeuvers help build bases near bordersGrenada1983-84Troops, bombingInvasion four years after revolutionBolivia1987TroopsArmy assists raids on cocaine regionPanama1989Troops, bombingNationalist government ousted by 27,000 soldiers, leaders arrested, 2000+ killedHaiti1994-95Troops, navalBlockade against military government; troops restore President Aristide to office three years after coupVenezuela2002Command operationFailed coup attempt to remove left-populist president Hugo ChavezHaiti2004-TroopsRemoval of democratically elected President Aristide; troops occupy country

Reflection:

Was American imperialism necessary for the US to become a rich and powerful nation? Why or why not?