Imperialism and America

Section 1

Background Information

The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 defined United States foreign policy in the Americas for the rest of the nineteenth century and beyond.

• It declared that the United States had an interest in the Western Hemisphere and that European powers must not meddle in the affairs of any developing nations there.

• The United States was a young nation in 1823 and did not really have the power to back up the Monroe Doctrine.

The idea of manifest destiny gained popularity in the 1830s and 1840s.

• Many Americans came to believe that it was their nation's "manifest destiny" to possess all of the North American continent.

• Later in the century, this idea gave way to dreams of expanding America's influence around the world.

Roots of American ImperialismECONOMIC ROOTS:• By the late 19th century, the growing industrial economy of the United

States was producing many more goods than the nation itself could use.

This overabundance of industrial goods led the United States to look for new markets abroad.

POLITICAL AND MILITARY ROOTS:• European nations such as England, Spain, France, Russia, Portugal,

Germany, and Belgium had already carved up Africa and large parts of Asia into colonies and "spheres of influence" by the late 1900s. To remain

competitive, the United States reacted to European imperialism by looking for a way to secure its own economic future through a policy of expansionism.

Imperialism in Africa

RACISTS ROOTS:• Belief in the racial and cultural superiority of

Anglo-Saxons. • This belief led many Americans to claim that

the U.S. had a responsibility to expand and spread Christianity and “civilization.”

Alfred T. Mahan

What did Mahan urge the US to do to protect its interests?

1. Develop a modern navy to protect U.S. shipping2. Establish naval bases in Caribbean

3. Construct a canal across country of Panama4. acquire Hawaii and other Pacific Islands

Showing Force: Route of the Great White Fleet

United States Takes Hawaii

The Economy:• Sugar plantations- Americans owned about 2/3 of sugar plantations and

brought in labor from Japan, China, and Portugal. • 1875- U.S. and Hawaii signed treaty allowing sale of Hawaiian sugar tax

free in the U.S. • 1877-American businessmen force King of Hawaii to change the Hawaiian

constitution to give only wealthy landowners the right to vote. Also U.S. forces Hawaii to allow the U.S. navy to build a base at Pearl Harbor.

Queen Lil of Hawaii: she wants to restore power to the Hawaiian people

The Queen Disposed• John L. Stevens-U.S. ambassador who helps businessmen prevent

Queen Lil from carrying out her plans by organizing a revolution. • U.S.S. Boston-Stevens orders marines to come ashore to “protect

American lives and property.” Volunteer troops take over government building and imprison Queen Lil in the palace.

• Stanford B. Dole-becomes president of temporary government• Stevens appeals to Washington to annex Hawaii, but President

Cleveland refuses until a majority of Hawaiians want annexation. President McKinley favors annexation and makes Hawaii a U.S. territory on August 12, 1898.

Spanish-American WarSection 2

Background Information• Cuba-controlled by Spain. U.S. has been interested in controlling Cuba for

years. Cuba had a long history of rebellion (1868-1878), but failed to gain independence.

• American businessmen invested money in sugar plantations and the U.S. soon became Cuba’s main market.

• Jose Marti-Cuban poet living in exile in NY. Organized resistance against Spain using guerilla warfare and destroyingAmerican property (sugar plantations)

The Butcher

• Valeriano Weyler- “the Butcher” sent by Spain to Cuba to put down the rebellion. Put rural people in concentration camps to try and prevent guerrilla war.

Causes of the Spanish-American War

• Yellow Journalism-Hearst and Pulitzer attracted readers by using exaggerated accounts of true events happening in Cuba.

“You furnish the pictures, I’llfurnish the war.”--William Randolph Hearst

Causes of Spanish-American War• De Lome Letter-letter written by Enrique Dupuy de Lome, Spanish Minister

to the U.S. Called President McKinley “weak” and “a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.”

• American public to some extent did agreewith letter, but did not approve of criticism of president.

Causes of Spanish-American War• USS Maine Explodes-sent to Cuba to protect American lives and property.

February 15, 1898 ship explodes killing 260. • No one knows for sure what caused the explosion. At time thought it was

to be a mine, but later studies found it was probable that an internal explosion caused the ship to explode.

War Breaks Out• April 20, 1898 U.S. declares war on Spain

• The Philippines:-First battle of war takes place in Manila Bay where the U.S. Navy defeats the

Spanish Navy. -U.S. led by Naval Commander Charles Dewey and his victory allowed U.S.

troops to march toward Manila. U.S. troops will join Emilio Aguinaldo (rebel leader) and defeat the Spanish in August.

• Cuba: -U.S. blockades Cuba while troops get ready to move inland.-Most of U.S. Army is inexperienced. Had inadequate supplies (food and guns)

and lacked good leaders.

War Breaks Out-Rough Riders:• Volunteer cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt and Leonard Wood; existed for

133 days. • Involved in battle–Kettle Hill—but on foot, not horses. • Given credit for second battle—San Juan Hill—even though had little to do

with it. -Spain tried to break through blockade but were defeat by U.S Navy. Spain

surrenders on July 25, 1989.

Treaty of Paris, 1898• Signed on August 12 and ended a war that had lasted 16 weeks. • 5,400 soldiers died but only 379 from the war, rest due to disease or other

causes.• December 10, 1898 Spain and U.S. agreed:1. Cuba becomes independent2. Spain gives Puerto Rico and Guam to U.S.3. U.S. would pay Spain $20 million for Philippines Islands• This would cause a big discussion in the U.S. Arguments were over

annexation of Philippines, but issue was imperialism. Some felt by not giving new territories, deny them self-government. Issue was solved when Senate approved treaty in February, 1898.

Puerto Rico

1898-1916

Cuba

1898-1903

Philippines

1898-1945

China 1900

Relationship to U.S. ?

Protectorate-country whose affairs are partially controlled by stronger power

Protectorate

Protectorate or colony

“Trading Partner”; wanted access to ports

Why did U.S. try to control its affairs?

Location was important

Protect U.S. business interests

Provide raw materials & new markets

Establish and protect new markets

What laws and policies affected it relationship w/ U.S?

Treaty of Paris; Foraker Act; imperialist policies

Platt Amendment

Treaty of Paris; removal policy; imperialist

Open Door

Violent events affected its relationship w/ U.S.?

Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War; 3 uprisings that led to US military occupation; Guantanamo Bay

Spanish-American war; Philippine-American War

Boxer Rebellion

Open Door Notes

3 foundations for American foreign policy

1. Americans thought growth of U.S. economy depended on exports.

2. U.S. had right to intervene to keep foreign markets open.

3. Feared closing of an area to American products, citizens, or ideas threatened U.S survival

America as a World Power• Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” Diplomacy:Treaty of Portsmouth- Roosevelt negotiates peace treaty between Russia and

Japan; U.S. reputation increases and U.S. enters into agreements with Japan

Panama CanalBackground Information: • All of Mahan’s goals had been achieved EXCEPT for building a canal

through Central AmericaWhy is the canal so important??

2 possible routes for the canal:1. Nicaragua- less problems b/c crossed large lake2. Panama-province of Columbia; route was shorterbut filled with mountains and swamps

Panama CanalBackground Information:• Negotiations broke down between U.S. and Columbia; Philippe Bunau-

Varilla (chief engineer/investor in New Panama Canal Co.) led a rebellion for Panamanian independence. U.S. helped negotiate treaty gaining independence for Panama and control of 10 mile wide canal zone.

Construction of Canal Zone

Roosevelt CorollaryBackground Information:• Roosevelt feared European countries interfering in the Western

Hemisphere; Latin American (LA) countries borrowed money from Europe and U.S. feared LA countries would not be able to repay loans and Europe would be drawn into Western Hemisphere.

• Roosevelt based LA policy on African policy: “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”

Roosevelt Corollary• Based on Monroe Doctrine but went step further• Disorder in LA might “force the United States… to the exercise of an

international police power” in order to protect U.S. economic interests.• Example:1911 rebellion in Nicaragua left country bankrupt; President Taft ordered

American bankers to loan money to Nicaragua to pay back debts. U.S. would get money back by collecting custom duties. U.S. also gained control of public RR system; people revolt against Nicaraguan president and U.S. sends in Marines to put down rebellion; U.S. successful and leaves some troops there until 1933.

Dollar Diplomacy• Roosevelt and Taft administrations• Using nation’s economic power to exert influence over other countries• Use U.S. government to guarantee loans made to foreign countries by

American businessmen

Wilson’s Missionary Diplomacy• U.S. has a moral responsibility to deny any LA govt that it viewed to be

oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to U.S. interests. • Put pressure on nations in Western Hemisphere to set up democratic

goverments. • Tested immediately by the Mexican Revolution

Mexican Revolution• President Porfirio Diaz of Mexico ruled as a dictator who supported

foreign (U.S.) investment. Wealthy supported him, poor hated him.• Poor revolt in 1910 and Diaz is forced to leave Mexico City.• Francisco Madero (leader of revolutionaries) becomes President in 1911.

Was a wealthy land owner and could not meet demands of the upper and lower classes.

Mexican Revolution• General Victoriano Heurta takes over in 1913 and executes Madero.

American businessmen want Wilson to recognize Heurta’s government, but Wilson refuses to move from his “missionary diplomacy.” Wilson is going to “watch and wait” to see if an opportunity will come to move against Heurta.

• April 1914: Mexican officials arrest U.S. sailors in Tampico; Mexicans quickly release sailors and apologize, but Wilson uses it as excuse to send troops to Mexico.

Mexican Revolution• Incident brings U.S. and Mexico closer to war. • Argentina, Brazil, and Chile (A, B, C countries) mediate the conflict. Say:

Huerta step down and U.S. with draw w/out paying Mexico for damages. Mexico refuses and Wilson will not recognize power that has come to reign due to violence.

• Huerta’s government comes to end and Venustiano Carranza comes to power in 1915 and Wilson recognizes his government.

Pershing and Villa• Problems in Mexico continue with Francisco “Pancho” Villa and Emiliano

Zapata