ImperialismChapter 10

Pathfinder Fleet Library of Congress

U.S. Motivation for Imperialism

Manifest Destiny- Idea that it is the fate of the U.S. to expand its boundaries from the East to West Coast. (By 1890 we had done that)

New Manifest Destiny- Idea that it is the fate of the U.S. to expand it boundaries beyond the seas

What is imperialism?

• *Imperialism – policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories

3 Factors that Fuel U.S. Imperialism

Desire for Military Strengthi Adm. Alfred Mahani Influence of Sea Power Upon History: 1660-1783

0 Build up Navy0 Need Colonies (Hawaii, Caribbean Is., Canal)0 Need for refueling stations and raw materials0 Foreign Trade

Thirst for New Markets (Economic)i Too many workers, not enough worki Need places to sell our products

Belief in Cultural Superiorityi Social Darwinismi Theory of Eugenicsi White Man’s Burden

Toward a New Imperialism

Imperialism in global contexti The scramble for empire was well under

way by the time the U.S. entered in the late 19th century.

i By the late 19th century, the technology of arms and the networks of communication, transportation, and commerce brought the prospect of effective, truly global empires within much closer reach – a new age of imperialism (ex. Africa)

American Imperialism: Markets

The rapid industrial development of the U.S. (new places to export and access to raw materials)i The growth of industrial networks

linked them to international markets as never before.

i American companies were outgrowing the home market..

European Expansion Worldwide

Expansion

In 1880, the U.S. still lacked the military might of an imperial power.i The U.S. Navy ranked 12th in the world, behind

Denmark and Chile.i The U.S. could not protect its interests overseas.i The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890) –

by Alfred Thayer Mahan argued that national greatness and prosperity depended on sea power.

By 1900, the U.S. Navy ranked 3rd in the world. With a modern navy, the country had the means to become an imperial power

What was the United State’s 1st imperialistic acquisition?

• Hawaii…important to the U.S. since the late 1700s as a fuel and supply stopo 1880 – Hawaiians outnumber whites 3 to 1

o 1887 – Whites force King Kalakaua to alter voting system to favor rich land owners

o 1887 – Pearl Harbor is granted to the U.S.

Annexation of HawaiiPresident Cleveland directs the

Queen to be restored but Dole refuses.

Recognized the Republic of Hawaii but will not annex unless the majority votes to do so.

William McKinley supported annexation and Congress proclaims it an American territory in 1898 with Hawaiians never voting to do so.

Hawaii becomes a state in 1959.

The Spanish American War

Rebellion broke out in Cuba in 1895 seeking independence from Spain.

Yellow journalism whipped the American public into a hostile frenzy.

De Lôme letter – Spanish minister in Washington sent this letter to friend in Cuba; called McKinley a “would-be politician” and said that Spain had no intention of changing its policy –“Worst Insult to the United States in its History.”

What events took place during the Spanish-American War?

• US invades Cubao 125,000 volunteer soldiers head to Cuba (only

395 die)o Malaria and dysentery destroy much of

America’s forceso Alcohol, especially rum, hinder many soldierso Incorporation of the Buffalo Soldiers…black

soldiers

What events took place during the Spanish-American War?

o Rough Riders come to prominenceTeddy Roosevelt’s Calvary unitSan Juan Hill…Roosevelt is not actually the

hero as it a complete infantry victory…but he rides this misconception all the way to the White House

o July 17, 1898 US invades and captures Puerto Rico

Myths about the Rough Riders

Myth: Roosevelt lead the main charge up San Juan Hill.

Reality: He had led the charge up Kettle Hill and the Rough Riders had assisted in taking San Juan Hill.

Roosevelt and the Rough Riders atop San Juan Heights, 1898

How does the Spanish-American War conclude?

• August 12, 1898o Treaty of Paris

Cuba becomes an independent nation US gets Puerto Rico and Guam US pays Spain $20 million for control of the Philippines

Results

5,462 Americans died (379 in battle) Most killed by malaria, typhoid, dysentery, or yellow feveri Wool uniforms and diseased, rotten, or poisoned

rations.War ended less than 4 months after

it started: i Cuba was given independence. i U.S. annexed Puerto Rico and Guam, occupied

the Philippines for $20 million (Also annexed Hawaii and Wake Island) It would take another 5,000 casualties to subdue Philippines.

What did the United States do in each of the lands it acquired?

• Puerto RicooThe island became a commonwealth…

similar to a state but with a few differencesTax-exempt statusNo representation in governmentNo voting right in presidential electionsNo state’s rights

What did the United States do in each of the lands it acquired?

• Cubao The island became an independent nation under the

protection of the US (a protectorate)o Under the Platt amendment the US agreed that:

Cuba cannot make treaties that limit its independence Cuba cannot go into debt US reserves the right to intervene in Cuba to protect

independence and order US could buy or lease land

on the island for a naval base (Guantanamo Bay)

What did the United States do in each of the lands it acquired?

• PhilippinesoThe Philippines becomes a US territoryo1 year later, in 1899, the Philippines

rebels in the Philippine-American WarThe US is victorious but the island nation continues to

be a trouble spot until after WWII

Where there any problems with imperialism?

• Negativeso Many citizens

protested the US involvement overseas and the $ spent (Dollar Diplomacy)

o Natives were not interested in US control

o It goes against democratic freedoms

What benefits were there in being a world power?

• The US builds the Panama Canalo 1904-1914o 50 mile canal over the isthmus of Panamao New York to San Francisco = 13,000 mileso New York to San Francisco = 5,200 miles

o US essentially stole the lands from Columbia and created a new country (Panama)

o Yellow fever and bubonic plague kill thousands of natives

o 5,600 workers die constructing the canal

China:The Open Door Policy

Following the Sino-Japanese War, China attracted the great powers in a scramble for control.i Open Door Policy outlined by Secretary of State John

Hay urged major powers to keep trade open to all countries on an equal basis.

China:The Open Door Policy

Open Door Policy threatened by the Boxer Rebellioni When Chinese nationalists laid siege to foreign

embassies in Peking (Beijing), multinational force went in to stop uprising.

i America urged other countries to “preserve Chinese territorial and administrative integrity” – 0New American empire would have its share of

colonies, but in Asia as elsewhere it would be built primarily on trade.

Rise of TR

Election of 1900i William Jennings Bryan (Dem)

vs. McKinley/TR (Rep)i Republicans win on pro-

imperialist platform

Assassination of McKinley in Sep, 1901 made TR president. At 42, TR was youngest president.

                                             

Roosevelt’sForeign Policy

“Speak softly and carry a big stick”The Panama Canal

i Colombian province of Panama, with American aid, claimed independence and got canal contract from United States.

i America built the canal, opening in 1914.

Roosevelt’sForeign Policy

“The Roosevelt Corollaryi In response to an economic crisis in the

Dominican Republic, Roosevelt announced his Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine—the United States could intervene in its neighbors’ affairs to prevent foreign intervention.

i Would later become the basis for military intervention.

Roosevelt and the Panama Canal

Why do we need the Panama Canal?i Eliminate the trip around South Americai Lower cost for shippingi Lower cost for maintenance of separate fleetsi Improved defense of the Western Hemisphere

Possible Locations

Nicaraguai Problem: Volcanoes

Mexicoi Problem: Distance

Panamai Problem: Rights owned by France

Hay / Bunau-Varilla Treaty

Treaty between U.S. and Panamai 10 mile zonei U.S. pays 10 millioni Plus $250,000 a year to begin in 1913

Ratified in 1904

Greatest Engineering Feat of the Time

5 or 6 Lock System for raising and lowering ships through the canal.

Total Cost – $380,000,000Employed thousands of workers

i 5,600 died from accident and disease

Opened in 1914Damaged U.S. – Latin American

Relations

Roosevelt Corollary Roosevelt argued European powers

must not intervene in the Western Hemisphere as put forth in the Monroe Doctrine, but also warned that disorder in Latin America might “force the U.S. to exercise an international police power” in order to protect U.S. economic interests.

Important People

President Diaz –1876 to 1911 was Mexico’s military dictator

Francisco Madero – Leader of rebellion and new President in 1911

General Huerta – Killed Madero and took over the government in 1913

Venustiano Carranza – Leader of Constitutionalists fighting Huerta

Francisco “Pancho” Villa – Leader of revolt against first Huerta and then Carranza. Attacks U.S.