Toward an American Empire

U.S. expansion shifts after 1890 & the defeat of the Plains Indians

Strategically placed islands taken, initially intended as colonies

The U.S. Looks Outward, Beyond North America

Domestic concerns dominated the post-Civil War years

But the1870s brought new interest in areas beyond U.S. boundaries

Catching the Spirit of Empire

Expansion abroad sought to gain markets Evolutionary ideas encouraged expansion to

give “guidance” to native peoples elsewhere

Missionary spirit (see Josiah Strong's popular Our Country, published in 1885)

Reasons for Expansion

Expansionist foreign policy Acquisitions: Alaska, Midway Islands Efforts to erode European influence in Latin

America◦ Diversion of Latin American trade from Europe

through a series of reciprocity treaties◦ U.S. support of Venezuela against Great Britain

Foreign Policy Approaches: 1867-1900

1875--U.S. allows free importation of Hawaiian sugar

Queen Liliuokalani retaliates for McKinley Tariff, attempts to reduce U.S. influence

1893--American settlers pull off coup 1898--Hawaii made U.S. possession 1872--U.S. granted port facilities in Samoa 1899--U.S. shares control with Germany

The Lure of Hawaii and Samoa

Hawaiian & Samoan Islands

Alfred Mahan argues that overseas markets are essential for industrial surpluses

Large merchant marine, strong navy needed

1889--Secretary of Navy Benjamin Tracy supervises a program of naval construction CARNEGIE’S INVOLVEMENT

U.S. gains offensive capability at sea

The New Navy

The war increased overseas possessions It also gained the U.S. recognition as a

“world power” Many more Americans became convinced

they had a special destiny

War with Spain

February, 1895--rebellion in Cuba "Yellow press" whips up U.S. sentiment to

favor Cuban independence McKinley gains Spanish concessions February, 1898--explosion of the Maine April 19--Congress declares Cuba

independent April 25--U.S. declares war on Spain

For Some, A War for Principle

U.S. regular army small, ill-prepared Problems of equipment and supply Most soldiers fight in National Guard units

"A Splendid Little War"

African Americans serve in army Guard units

Black troops resist segregation African American soldiers win 26

Certificates of Merit, 5 Congressional Medals of Honor

Overt racism in Philippines

Race & the War

May 1--Commodore George Dewey captures Manila Bay

June--Cuba invaded July--Puerto Rico occupied August 13--Philippines surrender

The Course of the War

Spanish-American War: Pacific Theater

Spanish-American War: Caribbean Theater

Fate of the Philippines was the thorniest issue at the peace negotiations

December 1898--Treaty of Paris◦ Cuba independent◦ U.S. takes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines

Acquisition of Empire

Debate over annexation of the Philippines Opponents formed the Anti-Imperialist

League February, 1899--ratification of peace treaty

makes U.S. a colonizing nation

The Treaty of Paris

American Empire, 1900

1898-1901--Emilio Aguinaldo leads Philippine independence movement

“Water Treatment” 1901--U.S. replaces military with civil rule

◦ local self-government permitted◦ schedule established for independence

July 4, 1946--Philippine independence

Guerrilla Warfare in the Philippines

World Colonial Empires, 1900

Supreme Court permits selective application of Constitution to new territories

Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico organized as territories, inhabitants made U.S. citizens

Navy controls Guam Cuban constitution ends U.S. occupation,

but: Platt Amendment gives U.S. the right to

intervene in Cuban affairs

Governing the U.S. Empire

March, 1900--"Open Door" policy in China◦ no European nation should carve out a sphere of

influence in China and exclude others from trading in the area

Policy opens the potential for later conflict with expansion-minded powers in Pacific

The Open Door

Teddy Roosevelt a war hero Re-establishes Republicans as majority

party U.S. soldiers stationed outside the

country

Outcome of the War with Spain