Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

Was the U.S. justified in going to war with Spain in 1898?

I. American Foreign Policy Principles

Three main themes guided U.S. foreign policy prior to the Age of Industrialization:

1) Washington’s Farewell Address

2) Monroe Doctrine 3) Manifest Destiny

Washington’s Farewell Address

“Steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world”

“Such an attachment of a small or weak towards a great and powerful nation dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.”

“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations…”

The Monroe Doctrine Issued Dec 1823 “Further efforts by

European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in N. or S. America would be viewed as an act of aggression”

During early years largely enforced by the British

Manifest Destiny

Through annexation of territory, treaties and a wars of aggression, the United States added territory before the Civil War

American settlers moved West into the newly acquired areas.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Did U.S. foreign policy during the Age of Imperialism and World War I represent a shift from traditional foreign policy values?

By acquiring territorial possessions overseas, was the U.S. being hypocritical to its roots as a country that had a revolution to overthrow colonial rule?

As an emerging world power, what was the proper role for the U.S. in international affairs?

God has not been preparing the English-speaking and Teutonic peoples for a thousand years for nothing but vain and idle self-admiration. No....He has made us adept in government that we may administer government among savage and senile peoples....He has marked the American people as His chosen nation to finally lead in the redemption of the world.

Senator Albert J. Beveridge, 1900

Reasons for American Imperialism Raw materials and markets

Benefit industry and agriculture The next frontier (Frederick Jackson Turner) The Anglo-Saxon myth

Social Darwinism White Man’s Burden

Missionary zeal – spread Christianity American Naval power – Alfred T. Mahan

19th Century Imperialism 1853-54 -- Japan -- The "Opening of Japan" and the

Matthew Perry Expedition. [The State Department does not give more details, but this involved the use of warships to force Japan to open its ports to the United States].

1859 -- China -- For the protection of American interests in Shanghai.

1893 -- Hawaii -- Ostensibly to protect American lives and property; actually to promote a provisional government under Sanford B. Dole This action was disavowed by the United States.

Annexation of Hawaii

Hawaii closely tied to U.S. through treaties

Economy dominated by U.S. owned sugar plantations

U.S. planters organize a rebellion in 1893

1898 U.S. annexes Hawaii

Economic and military benefits

II. Causes of Spanish-American War U.S. interest in Cuba

Ostend Manifesto (1854) Economic interest (sugar) Monroe Doctrine

During the 1890s, Cuba revolted against Spain The Spanish, led by General Valeriano Weyler, used

brutality to quell rebellion Opposition leader – Jose Marti

William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer engaged in yellow journalism (using sensational, biased, and often false reporting to attract readers), which gained public support for American intervention

De Lome Letter, describing Pres. McKinley as “weak,” was intercepted

The battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor (“Remember the Maine!”)

III. Results of Spanish-American War “Splendid little war” in Cuba lasted only a few

months (final battle took place at San Juan Hill led by TR and the “Rough Riders”) Admiral Dewey – Manila Bay, Philippines

In December of 1898 the Treaty of Paris is signed, granting Cuban independence and giving the U.S. the Philippines (for $20 million), Guam and P.R.

Before the war, the U.S. had promised not to annex Cuba under the Teller Resolution, but the U.S. did establish a military presence in Cuba and passed the Platt Amendment in 1901

U.S. suppressed independence movement in Philippines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCw2xjegQw

An American Empire?

With prior annexation of Hawaii , U.S. had largest military presence outside of West. Hemisphere

Only Hawaii would be put on road to statehood – only due to lobby of white sugar plantation owners

Previously, virtually all territory gained had been settled by “Americans”

The Case of the Philippines• Philippine leader

Emilio Aguinaldo thought he was fighting for independence from Spain

• McKinley would not grant Philippines independence or statehood

• U.S. wanted military base

• U.S. occupies the Philippines until “civilized”, leads to war

War in the Philippines

George Dewey American Asiatic Squadron easily destroyed the Spanish fleet at Manila.

Initially, Filipino rebels welcomed American troops in their fight against Spain.

After the United States intended to annex their country, they turned against their former allies.

Between 1899 and 1902, Americans fought a war that led to the death of one in every five Filipinos. Supporters defended the war as bringing freedom and

government to the Filipinos. Critics wondered if the U.S. could build an empire without

sacrificing its democratic spirit.

Anti-Imperialist League Some argued imperialism

violated principles of independence and self-government

Others feared economic competition

Trade unionist worried about cheap labor

“Contamination from ‘inferior’ race”

Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie and William Jennings Bryan were among a small but influential group critical of imperialism.

America as Mother Country• Does the Constitution follow the

flag? That is, do people living in American territories have the same constitutional protections as American citizens?

• The “Insular Cases” - Series of cases before Supreme Court - regarding rights of peoples in U.S. territories

• Ruled the Constitution does not follow the flag