Imperialism and the U.S.

The Monroe Doctrine Started It All…

The Monroe Doctrine was passed in 1823. It stated that any further acts of European colonization in the Americas would be seen as acts of aggression

Critics say that this Doctrine was used to prevent Europe from colonizing countries with resources that were valuable to America

American government said they were simply worried about the good of the people in the colonized countries

The truth? Who knows….

The U.S. in Middle America

By 1900, America was beginning to meddle in the affairs of southern countries

As a result of the Spanish-American war, Cuba became a U.S. protectorate and Puerto Rico became a U.S. colony

1903, the U.S. supported a rebellion that allowed Panama to gain its independence from Columbia

• In return, the U.S. got a ten mile wide strip of land running from coast to coast in Panama.

• This was the most valuable piece of land in the new country, and there America build the Panama Canal.

• Charged high fees and tariffs to any other countries wanting to use it

• Did America feel bad about this? Nope… American investments in Latin America followed, as did

American resolve to protect those investments• Occupation of countries commenced (Cuba, Mexico,

Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama, Dom. Republic)

• More and more Latin American countries began to resent the interference from the “big bully” to the North

U.S. in the Phillipines

The Spanish-American War was fought largely on Philippine soil

Originally, the Americans and Philippines were allies against the Spanish

However, when the Spanish and Americans resolved their issues and the war ended, America decided to take over the Philippine islands since they were already stationed there and fought for the land

After the war, Spain ceded the Philippines to the U.S. and Americans began to occupy main cities/ports, forcing the people to pay taxes for all goods and answer to American government and troops

The Philippine people decided to revolt to gain independence.

Estimates state that 30 million Philippine people were killed Some have called it an act of genocide by the U.S. When Roosevelt became president he pardoned all people involved Didn’t gain independence until 1946

U.S. in Hawaii

Hawaii was originally a free land ruled by a Queen.

First Europe made contact and began annexing the islands.

Eventually Europe annexed the Islands to the U.S. who passed a bill to make Hawaii a U.S. Territory despite protests from the islanders.

Hawaii remained a territory for 60 years. Although some tried for independence, the people of Hawaii preferred to be a territory rather than a state

• They got away with importing cheap labor/immigration laws that were illegal in many states

Much of Hawaiian culture and heritage was wiped out by U.S. occupation of the islands

Made a state in 1959

U.S. in Iraq

Is This Imperialism?

American Values

From the given list, choose the 8 values that most closely reflect American priorities. Rank them from 1 to 8.

Draw a line through the values that America ignores

Compare your choices with a partner. Together, decide on the top 5 American Values.

Get into a group of 6-7 people. As a group, compare choices and decide on the top 5 American Values.