THE LURE OF IMPERIALISM

Chapter 7

IMPERIALISM

Defined: the extension of a nation’s power over other lands

“Quest for Empire” – Great Britain, France, Belgium, Germany

Also, the United States became involved

Reasons for Imperialism

Economic Interests: markets & materials

Military Needs: naval bases & coaling stations

Ideology: Christianity & culture

“nationalism” and “cultural superiority”

Social Darwinism - Religion

US Expansionism

“Manifest Destiny” – the belief that all land east to west (Pacific Ocean) belonged to the US

The appeal went even beyond our shores

QUESTION: What territories today belong to the United States?

US TERRITORIES TODAY

Midway Islands , 1867 Puerto Rico (San Juan), 1898 American Samoa (Pago Pago), 1899 Virgin Islands (Charlotte Amalie), 1927 Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei ), 1947;

[gained independence 1986- currently in Free Association with the United States]

Marshall Islands (Majuro), 1947 [gained independence in 1990 - currently in Free Association with the United States]

Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), 1947 Guam (Agana), 1950

So, U.S. attracted to IMPERIALISM…

HAWAII

Britain: visited by Captain James Cook, 1778

Monarchy established by Kamehameha late 1800’s – later overthrown by American business leaders

Sanford B. Dole made President – Hawaii under U.S. protection

HAWAII

President William McKinley pushed Congress – voted for Hawaii’s annexation 1898

By 1901, James Dole began growing pineapples – by 1930’s DOLE supplied 90% of the world’s canned pineapple

Hawaii (became a state 1950)

CHINA

By late 1800’s many nations had carved out spheres of influence in China (for trade & economic benefit).

Sec. of States John Hay proposed the OPEN DOOR POLICY in 1899 (to give all nations equal trade rights in China)

CHINA

In China, anti-foreigner sentiments grew – secret group “Society of Righteous & Harmonious Fists” (known as “BOXERS”) began attacking foreign missionaries

June 1900 Boxers laid siege to capital city of BEIJING – “Boxer Rebellion”

Western nations rushed 20,000 troops to China – rebellion crushed September 1901

JAPAN

U.S. had been pressuring Japan to open its ports to trade – did so in 1854, and Japan began rapid modernization

1895 Japan seized Taiwan from China

1904 Russo-Japanese War – Pres. Theodore Roosevelt helped negotiate peace treaty and won Nobel Peace Prize

JAPAN (continued)

Japan clear victor in war with Russia, and emerged as a major power

Japan “hungry” for territory

TR decided to “impress” Japan with how powerful U.S. Navy was, and sent four squadrons of battleships – “Great White Fleet” – around the world

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

By 1890’s Spain had lost all colonies in Western Hemisphere except Cuba & Puerto Rico

Cubans revolted against Spain February 1895 – Spain sent army to suppress rebels, and many Cubans were mistreated

American’s sympathetic to Cuban cause!

Spanish-American War

Many Americans thought Cuba’s struggle similar to American Revolution

New York Journal (William Randolph Hearst) and New York World (Joseph Pulitzer) “played up” the struggle of Cubans

Sensationalism: “Yellow Journalism”

Spanish-American War

Hearst strongly felt U.S. should intervene in Cuba, and Journal continued “drumbeat for war”

Pres. William McKinley reluctant to involve U.S., but…-deLome letter published (ridiculing McKinley) Feb. 9, 1898-Feb. 15, 1898 USS Maine mysteriously blew up in Havana Harbor, killing 260 sailors

Spanish-American War

“REMEMBER THE MAINE” became a rallying cry for war supporters

March 1898 McKinley demanded Spain grant Cuba independence – Spain refused

April 25, 1898 congress declared state of war with Spain

Spanish-American War

Lasted only about 4 months – but impact would be felt for years

WAR IN THE PHILIPPINESAssistant Sec. of War Theodore Roosevelt sent secret orders to Commodore George Dewey to attack Spain if war broke out – May 1, 1898 firing broke out – entire Spanish fleet destroyed – Spanish surrendered August 14

Spanish-American War

WAR IN CUBATeller Amendment: adopted by Congress – said when Cuba free of Spanish rule, it would control itself

American soldiers fought in Cuba in difficult circumstances

Most famous: “Rough Riders” led by TR

Spanish-American War

American strategy: capture city of Santiago

Had to capture hill around the city: Battle of San Juan Hill

July 3: U.S. Navy sank entire Spanish fleet off coast of Cuba in Battle of Santiago – 2 weeks later, Spanish troops in Cuba surrendered

Consequences of Spanish-American War

Terms of peace costly for Spain: -give up claims to Cuba-cede Puerto Rico and Guam to U.S.-give over control of Philippines to U.S.

Cost to United States-some $250 million-2,000 solider died (of yellow fever)

Result of Spanish-American WarJohn Hay, Ambassador to Great Britain:

“It has been a splendid little war; begun with the highest motives, carried on with magnificent intelligence and spirit, favored by that fortune which loves the brave.”

U.S. moved into ranks of IMPERIALIST NATIONS – division of sentiment…

Annexing the Philippines

After Spanish-American War, controversy in U.S. over whether to annex Philippines

FOR:-U.S. had duty to spread values overseas-wanted for economic & strategic value

AGAINST-violate the ideal of self-government-exporting oppression & invite immigration

The Outcome:

Senate approved treaty annexing Philippines Feb. 6, 1899

Filipino nationalists infuriated – fighting broke out, but U.S. put down rebellion by 1901

Finally, July4, 1946, U.S. granted full independence to Philippines