Growth of Imperialism

Learning Objective:

• Identify and match key words with their definitions

• To understand the keyterms and how they relate to American imperialism

Definitions:

• ISOLATIONISM: policy of national isolation by abstention from alliances and other international, political, and economic relations. Isolationists stand alone, do not get involved with affairs of other nations, and have specific reasons for their non-involvement.

• IMPERIALISM: policy or practice of extending power and dominion of a nation by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over other areas of political or economic life. It includes exploitation of a weaker nation or territory for the benefit of another nation and is against the will of those who are dominated.

Reasons for Imperialism

• U.S. felt the need to expand the U.S. borders because:

• 1) people envisioned the glorious stars and stripes waving around the globe, benefiting from U.S. policies and democratic practices (political and ideological - GLORY)

• 2) needed markets for surplus manufactures and farm products (economic - GOLD)

• 3) All of this would be done by the “agencies of God.” (religious - GOD)

Yellow Journalism

• Reporters purposely try to stir up the emotions of readers in order to sell more newspapers and pay little attention to the facts.

Spanish-American War

• How Started: Tensions rose after the sinking of the Maine; over control of Cuba and the Philippines; officially started on May 1, 1898 in the Philippines

• Why it started: to free Cuba and other territories from Spanish rule; U.S. received help from Emilo Aguinaldo who helped America because he thought they would se the Philippines free

Spanish-American War

• End Result: Cuba was independent with restrictions– Included the Platt Amendment: limited

foreign interaction and gave U.S. The right to establish naval stations on the island; U.S. also gained Philippines Guam, and Puerto Rico

Big Stick Policy = Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine:

• U.S. had the right to act as international policemen of South America; used to justify intervention in Latin American countries

Panama Canal - “Big Ditch”

• How acquired: tried to buy the canal zone from Columbia, but they refused, so U.S. helped a group of Panamanians rebel against Columbia; 2 weeks after winning independence, U.S. was granted right to build a canal

• Major problems: (Started in 1904)– 1) Disease– 2) Terrain: took 10 years and 43,000 laborers to

eventually build

Panama Canal: “Big Ditch”

• End Result: – 1915 officially declared open– Gave the U.S. an easier route between the

Pacific and Atlantic; allowed for growth of Imperialism because of ease in moving fleet from one ocean to another

Open-Door Policy

• Demanded equal commercial opportunity for all nations trading with China

Boxer Rebellion

• Group of Chinese rebels who tried to drive off all foreigners out of China in 1900– Took international force

of Japanese, Russian, British, American, and French troops 7 weeks to drive off the Boxers

Dollar Diplomacy

• American businesses were encouraged to invest in foreign countries and thus help the U.S. economically

• Moral Diplomacy: use negotiation and arbitration in dealing with foreign nations; spread democracy throughout the world, and maintain peace

Mexican-American Conflict

• Started over Mexican leadership between Dictator Huerta and Carranza (supporter of democracy)– Neither person wanted U.S. help, but they

still got U.S. intervention

• ABC Powers: Argentina, Brazil, and Chile helped to mediate the crisis, and helped the U.S. avoid an all-out war with Mexico

Pancho Villa

• U.S. tried to help capture this villian, but ended up staying too long in Mexico; really damaged relations between U.S. and Mexico

WIO: U.S. Imperialism

• In your opinion, what are the three most important events that led to the development of American Imperialism in the 1900s? Draw a symbol for each, and explain your choices.