America Becomes an Imperial Power

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Please Note: e images included in this presentation, some of which are copyrighte e being used under the “fair use” provision (for educational purpose of the U.S. law governing usage of copyrighted material.

Transcript of America Becomes an Imperial Power

Page 1: America Becomes an Imperial Power

Please Note:

The images included in this presentation, some of which are copyrighted, are being used under the “fair use” provision (for educational purposes)

of the U.S. law governing usage of copyrighted material.

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

© Edward T. O’Donnell, 2009

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• Conflict: Finding and Exploring Conflict and Debate

• Agency: Recognizing How People Shape Their Era

• Choices: History is the study of Choices - Nothing is inevitable!

• Relevance: Make Connections (carefully) to the Present

• Documents and Images

My Approach to Teaching My Approach to Teaching HistoryHistory

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Some Big Questions

Is It Possible to be An Empire for Good? Is It Possible to be An Empire for Good?

To What Extent Is Imperialism Motivated by Racism?To What Extent Is Imperialism Motivated by Racism?

Does Imperialism Violate American Principles of Does Imperialism Violate American Principles of Democracy and Respect for Human Rights? Democracy and Respect for Human Rights?

Is the United States Obligated to Intervene in the Affairs of Some Nations?

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1. The City Upon A Hill” Ideal

2. Avoid Foreign Influence

3. Expand Influence in Western Hemisphere

U.S. Foreign Policy in the 19th century

Three Main Points

Isolationist (mostly)

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U.S. Foreign Policy in the 19th century

1. The “City Upon A Hill” Ideal

“For we must consider that we shall be as a City upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. Soe that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword throughout the world.”

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U.S. Foreign Policy in the 19th century

1. The “City Upon A Hill” Ideal

This religious ideal (promote Christianity) from the 17th century …

… Becomes a secular (promote democracy) ideal in the 19th century

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U.S. Foreign Policy in the 19th century

1. The “City Upon A Hill” Ideal

“Liberty Enlightening the World”

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2. Avoid “The Insidious Wiles of Foreign Influence”

“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence … the [attention] of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove, that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government.”-- Farewell Address, September 17, 1796

U.S. Foreign Policy in the 19th century

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3. Expand Influence (and Territory) in Western Hemisphere

U.S. Foreign Policy in the 19th century

Louisiana Purchase 1803

Florida 1819

Texas 1845

Oregon 1846

Northern Mex. 1848

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Emanuel Leutze, The Course of Empire

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3. Expand Influence (and Territory) in Western Hemisphere

U.S. Foreign Policy in the 19th century

“We have a destiny to perform, a ‘manifest destiny’ over all

Mexico, over South America, over the West Indies.”

-- DeBow’s Review, 1850

Filibuster - William Walker

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerIncidents of U.S. Imperialism

• 1867 Purchase of Alaska• 1878 Naval Bases Established in Samoa (Pacific)• 1893 Hawaii annexed• 1898 Spanish-American War:

U.S. acquires Cuba, Philippines, & Puerto Rico

• 1899 "Open Door" policy established with China• 1899-1902 U.S. puts down Philippine insurrection• 1904 Columbia "Revolution" = Panama = Panama Canal• 1909-10 US troops occupy Nicaragua• 1912-25 US troops occupy Nicaragua• 1926-33 US troops occupy Nicaragua • 1914 US intervenes in Mexican Revolution• 1916-1924 US troops occupy Dominican Republic• 1915-1934 US troops occupy Haiti

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

Imperialism Defined - • The policy of extending a

nation's authority over other nations by territorial acquisition or the establishment of economic and political hegemony.

• Also known as colonialism

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How to Read a Historical Image

S scan for important details

I identify the conflict or tension

G guess the creator’s intent or message

H hear the voices

T talk about your observations

S.I.G.H.T. tm © 2008 Edward T. O’Donnell

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John Gast, “American Progress,” 1872

John Gast, “American Progress,” 1872

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The World’s Constable

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

Let’s check some documentsLet’s check some documents

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

Historians Offer Some Explanations

1. Psychological – Loss of the Frontier

2. International Competition and Concern over Security

3. Military – Naval Power

4. Economic – The “Need” for Markets

5. Idealism – The Crusader Nation

6. Racism – The “White Man’s Burden”

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

1. The Psychological Explanation

• The 1890 Census declared the American Frontier “closed”

• 1893 Frederick Jackson Turner published his “frontier thesis”

• American values and strength came from the frontier experience

“American democracy was born of no theorist's dream; it was not carried in the [ship] Susan Constant to Virginia, nor in the Mayflower to Plymouth. It came stark and strong and full of life out of the American forest, and it gained new strength each time it touched a new frontier.”

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

1. The Psychological Explanation

• Fading Democracy

• Diminished Equality

• Weakened Individualism

• Lost Manliness

No More Frontier =

Unless We Found New Frontiers

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 1. The Psychological Explanation

Theodore Roosevelt, the Cowboy from Manhattan

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 2. The International Competition Explanation

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 2. The International Competition Explanation

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 2. The International Competition Explanation

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 3. The Military Explanation

1890

Makes the case for naval strength In the Caribbean and Pacific

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 3. The Military Explanation

• 1880 US Navy 12th in the world

• 1900 US Navy 3rd in the world

U.S. Navy builds 200 ships in the 1890s

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 3. The Military Explanation

The Martial Spirit

“The clamor from the peace faction has convinced me that this country needs a war” -- TR during the Venezuela crisis

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 4. The Economic Explanation

1860 1900 % INCREASE

FACTORIES 140,500 510,000 263

VALUE FACTORY PROD. $1.9 bil $13 billion 584

INDUSTRIAL WORKERS 1.3 mil 5.1 mil 292

PATENTS ISSUED 4,589 95,573 1,983

1860 1900 % INCREASE

OIL 500,000 barrels 45,824,000 barrels 9,065

RAILROADS 30,000 miles 193,000 miles 543

STEEL 13,000 tons 10,382,000 tons 7,9762

Gross Nat. Product $7 billion $19 billion 171

America Now An Industrial Power

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 4. The Economic Explanation

The Search for New Markets

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 4. The Economic Explanation

The Panic of 1893 = Great Depression

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 4. The Economic Explanation

The Panic of 1893 = Great Depression

The Homestead Strike of 1892

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

5. The Idealism Explanation

Unacceptable to simply to sit by and watch injustice – i.e., Cuba

America has an obligation to promote democracy and human rights

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 5. The Idealism Explanation

The World’s Constable

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

6. The Racism Explanation

• The Dark Races of the World Live in Savagery – Therefore: Imperial Powers must take up “The

White Man’s Burden”

• Primitives are “Unfit for Self-Rule”– Therefore: Imperial Powers will rule them

• Primitive Societies are “wasting” the natural resources that surround them– Therefore: Imperial powers are obligated to take

them

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power? 6. The Racism Explanation

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John Bull [England] – “It’s really most extraordinary what training will do. Why, only the other day I thought that man unable to support himself.”(Philadelphia Inquirer)

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Before the US intervened on behalf of these oppressed people

After the US had rescued them from their oppression

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The first step toward lightening The White Man’s BurdenIs through teaching the virtues of cleanliness

Pears’ Soap is a potent factor in brightening the dark corners of the earth as civilization advances while amongst the cultured of all nations it holds the highest place—it is the ideal toilet soap.

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Why Become an Imperial Power?Why Become an Imperial Power?

5. The Racism Explanation

“There is no human right to the state of barbarism” -- John W. Burgess

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

1. Psychological – Loss of the Frontier

2. International Competition and Concern over Security

3. Military – The Martial Spirit and Naval Power

4. Economic – The “Need” for Markets

5. Idealism – The Crusader Nation

6. Racism – The “White Man’s Burden”

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

Cuba – the last Spanish colony on the Western Hem.

1860s - Cubans rebel to gain independence from the Spanish

Spanish crush rebellion

1895 – Cuban launch a second rebellion led by Jose Marti.

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

1890s – News of Spanish Atrocities

Spanish Governor-General Valeriano Weyler orders Cuban men, women, and children into concentration camps

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The “Yellow Press”

New York World (Joseph Pulitzer)

New York Journal American (William R. Hearst)

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

News of Spanish Atrocities

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War News of Spanish Atrocities

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War News of Spanish Atrocities

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

New York Journal: “Blood on the roadsides, blood on the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood! The old, the young, the weak, the crippled—all butchered without mercy”

The New York World : “Is there no nation wise enough, brave enough to aid this blood-smitten land?

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

In 1896both the Republican and Democratic parties included planks in their platforms calling for Cuban independence

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

William McKinley

• McKinley is mainly concerned with American business investments in Cuba• So, he pressured the Spanish to adopt reforms and end the human rights violations• By late 1897, Spain agrees and offers Cuba limited self-rule.• But Cuban rebels reject the reforms and insist on complete independence.

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

•Relations between Spain and the US quickly deteriorate• In early 1898 the NY Journal publishes a letter from the Spanish minister to the US that mocked McKinley as weak.• Yellow Press clamors for war

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War Then on February 15, 1898 the US battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor, killing 260 American sailors.

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

“a sort of bellicose fury has seized the American nation.”-- The French ambassador in Washington reporting back to his government

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

• late March, McKinley issues an ultimatum to the Spanish.• They must -

- Declare an immediate cease fire - end the reconcentration camps- agree to US arbitration of the conflict

• This last point strongly implied Cuban independence.

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

• Spain calls a cease fire and ends the reconcentration camps. • But by then McKinley’s has decided on war. • On April 11 he requests Congress grant him the authority to use force in Cuba “in the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests.” • Two weeks later, on April 25, 1898 Congress declares war on Spain.

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

• First important battle - the Philippines (not Cuba)• May 1, 1898 (1 week after the declaration of war)• Commodore George Dewey led America’s Pacific fleet into Manila Bay and quickly destroyed the Spanish fleet.• Sent an occupying army ashore.

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

• one month later (June 22) the American army invaded Cuba. • poorly organized, poorly outfitted, and poorly trained (volunteers).• The army provided antiquated rifles, spoiled food, and wool uniforms • 5,000+ of these men would die from disease. Only 379 from actual combat-related wounds.

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

The “Rough Riders”

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

The Hero’s of San Juan Hill?

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War • Aug 12 cease fire• Peace treaty = the US acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. • Cuba given nominal independence, but remained under US dominance for decades to come.

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

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Some Big Questions

Is It Possible to be An Empire for Good? Is It Possible to be An Empire for Good?

To What Extent Is Imperialism Motivated by Racism?To What Extent Is Imperialism Motivated by Racism?

Does Imperialism Violate American Principles of Does Imperialism Violate American Principles of Democracy and Respect for Human Rights? Democracy and Respect for Human Rights?

Is the United States Obligated to Intervene in the Affairs of Some Nations?

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Teaching American Teaching American History History

“Trying to plan for the future without knowing the past

is like trying to plant cut flowers.”-- Historian Daniel Boorstin

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn” -- Librarian and Educator, John Cotton Dana

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War

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America Becomes an Imperial PowerThe Spanish-American War

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Teaching American Teaching American History History

“Trying to plan for the future without knowing the past

is like trying to plant cut flowers.”-- Historian Daniel Boorstin

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn” -- Librarian and Educator, John Cotton Dana

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America Becomes an Imperial Power

The Spanish-American War