US HISTORY ISOLATIONISM
REASONS FOR IMPERIALISM TO CONCLUSION OF SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
America believes in Human Rights
- Tis’ our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign World.
- To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
- Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
- Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
- Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.
- George Washington
Imperialism
The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political control over other nations
• Does America have the right to interfere with another countries business?
• Is the US helping others or themselves
• Are Americans being neglected?
REASONS FOR IMPERIALISM
1. Industrial Revolution Civil war meant more consumptions and good caused manufacturing
to look abroad (new resources, new markets, and invest surplus capitol)
2. Close of the Frontier 1890: West was sufficiently settled and it motivated industry to push
out west!
3. Example of European Nations Britain and France had significant land (EMPIRES) New Markets, land, and more raw materials
4. American Nationalist Alfred Thayer Mahan The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
In order to “look outward” U.S. needed to expand foreign markets, have a powerful Navy, and establish overseas bases
REASONS FOR IMPERIALISM
5. Social Darwinism - The application of Darwinism to the study of human society,
specifically a theory in sociology that individuals or groups achieve advantage over others as the result of genetic or biological superiority.
6. Militarism Glorification of the ideals of a professional military class. A policy in
which military preparedness is of primary importance to a state
FIRST COLONIES?
• ALASKA (Seward’s Folly)• Reasons for purchase: gratitude for Russia, reduce foreign possessions
in North America, and Natural Resources• What we got???: Natural resources, connects to Asia and Europe, and
major air bases!
• SAMOAN ISLANDS AND MIDWAY• Used for supply harbors and coaling stations• TODAY: We have Naval and Air Bases
• HAWAII• Involvement: Merchant ships supply and refueling station, American
Missionaries, and investments in sugar plantations• Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani• Benefits: sugar, pineapples, tourists, military installations
SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR
CUBAN BACKGROUND- U.S. always interested in Cuba (90 miles from Florida Coast)
- 1854 the Ostend Manifesto
SPANISH RULE- Denied Cubans their rights, restricted them, and taxed them
- 1895 Revolt
SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR
CAUSES OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
1. HUMANITARIANISM Sympathy for their idea of independence Spanish General Valeriano Weyler: concentration camps
2. ECONOMIC Investments in sugar and tobacco were suffering
3. “Yellow” JOURNALISM William Randolph Hearst and John Pulitzer Exaggerated stories and falsified pictures De Lome Letter: Belittle President McKinley
4. SINKING OF THE MAINE 1898, USS Maine was sitting in the Havana, Cuba harbor Lost 266 American officers and soldiers
To Hell with Spain Remember the Maine
• At 9:40pm on February 15, 1898, the battleship U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor
• 268 men were killed, shocking the American population
• What or who caused this explosion?
Waiting for the Facts
• Who is waiting?• Why should we wait for
the “facts”?• Why might the United
States want to go to war?• What positive effects or
outcomes could come from a war with Spain?
Leaders
William McKinleyTheodore RooseveltGeorge DeweyWilliam Randolph HearstGeneral Weyler “The ButcherEmilio Aguinaldo
William McKinley, Jr. (1843-1901)
• 25th President• Wanted to avoid war in Cuba• Yellow journalism and public
supported war• In April 1898, President
McKinley abandoned his failed diplomatic efforts and asked Congress for permission to intervene in Cuba.
Theodore Roosevelt Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
• “I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one”
• First Volunteer Cavalry, nicknamed the "Rough Riders.”
• Imperialist and American Nationalist
• Criticized McKinley as “having the backbone of a Chocolate Éclair”
Commodore George Dewey
• May 1, 1899— Commodore Dewey and his Asiatic Squadron defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay
• During and after the war, George Dewey became one of the war's most celebrated heroes
William Randolph Hearst
• Newspaper publisher and leading example of yellow journalism
• New York Journal started a public hysteria for war with Spain by publishing incendiary articles and illustrations
• Hearst once said "You provide the pictures and I'll provide the war."
General Weyler “The Butcher”
• In 1896, the Spanish sent "The Butcher," to Cuba
• To prevent the insurrectos– Weyler built concentration
camps in which he imprisoned a large portion of the population
• Under the harsh and unsanitary conditions in the concentration camps, – Cuban prisoners died
rapidly, especially from disease
Emilio Aguinaldo
The Philippines' revolutionary leader
Fought first against Spanish imperialism
After the end of the Spanish- American War, fought against American
Events - Timeline
1895: Cuban nationalists revolt against Spanish rule
1896: Spanish General Weyler (the "Butcher") comes to Cuba.
1897: Spain recalls Weyler Early 1898: USS Maine sent to Cuba February 9, 1898: Hearst publishes
Dupuy du Lome's letter insulting McKinley. http://ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=53&page=transcript
Spanish Politeness
• Who is holding the knife?
• Name the ship• Is this an example of
Yellow Journalism? Explain
SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR
OUTBREAK OF WAR- McKinley’s View on the War: Wanted to stay out of war- The American People: Wanted revenge for the Maine- FINALLY:
Congress approved to have armed forces in Cuba, recognized the independence of Cuba, and declared that the U.S. wouldn’t annex Cuba
Would leave “control of the island to its people” TELLER RESOLUTION
THE WAR- “Remember the Maine” battle cry- War in Spanish Philippines took care of by Commodore George Dewey- Battle of San Juan Hill led by Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders
(western cowboys cavalry!)
Events - Timeline
• February 15, 1898: Sinking of the USS Maine• April 25, 1898: US declares war on Spain• May 1, 1898: Battle of Manila Bay (Philippines) • May, 1898: July 1, 1898: San Juan Hill taken by "Rough Riders“• July 3, 1898: Battle of Santiago - Spain's Caribbean fleet destroyed.• July 7, 1898: Hawaii annexed• July 17, 1898: City of Santiago surrenders to General William
Shafter • August 12, 1898: Spain signs armistice • August 13, 1898: US troops capture Manila• December 10, 1898: Treaty of Paris signed - US annexes Puerto
Rico, Guam, Philippines.“SPLENDID LITTLE WAR”
SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR
TREATY OF PARIS
1. Cuba free of Spanish control
2. Puerto Rico (Caribbean) and Guam (Pacific) ceded to U.S.
3. U.S. bought the Philippine Islands for $20 million
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WAR- U.S. emerged as world power- 1900 ELECTIONS: William McKinley gets reelected with Theodore
Roosevelt as his VP, beating anti-imperialist William Jennings Bryant
RELATION WITH CUBA
- Temporarily occupied after Spanish American War- Establishing schools, building roads, sanitizing, and wiped out yellow fever
- PLATT AMENDMENT (added to Cuban Constitution, urged by U.S.)1. Cuba couldn’t sign any foreign treaty that threatens its independence
2. Allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuba to preserve its independence and to protects its life, liberty, and property
3. U.S. naval bases (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba)
- TODAY: - Fidel Castro – led Cuban rebels to overthrow Fulgencio Batista dictatorship
and established Cuba as a Communist Island (making relations with American difficult!)
PUERTO RICO
POLITICAL EVOLUTION
- FORAKER ACT 1900: Allowed the President of the U.S. to appoint a governor and the upper house of legislation (Puerto Ricans can elected the lower house)
- First elected governor LUIS MUNOZ MARIN
- Commonwealth Status (since 1952)- Congress let Puerto Rico draw up own Constitution, they can:
1. Elect own legislatures
2. They are American citizens
3. Subject to federal laws (serve in American armed forces)
Philippines
Gateway to Asia
Filipinos upset at Annexation
-Emilio Aguinaldo leads revolt
US force Filipinos to live in designated areas
-poor sanitation
-starvation
-disease
Three year fight - 20,000 Filipinos and 4,000 Americans die
- The revolt cost the US $400 million
Stereotypes of the Chinese
Immigrant
Stereotypes of the Chinese
Immigrant
Oriental [Chinese]
Exclusion Act, 1887
Oriental [Chinese]
Exclusion Act, 1887
China
Untapped Potential
Many countries are involved in China, Great Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Japan to name a few and have a sphere of influence.
Sphere of Influence – areas where a nation claimed special rights and economic privileges.
Open Door Policy – all countries share China
Boxer Rebellion – secret society “Boxers” want to rid the country of “foreign devils” Defeated by a coalition of imperialist countries. Thousands of Chinese die.
US scared of European nations taking more control and issue the second series of Open Door notes which state “the US would safeguard for the world the principle of equal and fair trade in China”
The Open Door PolicyThe Open Door Policy
Secretary John Hay.
Give all nations equalaccess to trade in China.
Guaranteed that China would NOT be taken over by any one foreign power.
TheOpen Door
Policy
TheOpen Door
Policy
America as a Pacific Power
America as a Pacific Power
The Cares of a Growing Family
The Cares of a Growing Family
Constable of the WorldConstable of the World
American Foreign Policy
Beliefs
1. US economic growth depends on exports
2. US has the right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open
3. Closing an area to America threatened US survival
“It’s all about the Benjamin’s”
THE END!!!!
Short answer
Do you think there is any such thing as a "splendid little war"? What other wars might some people remember as "splendid little" ones? Who might think these wars were not so splendid? Who usually suffers most in a war? Who has to bear the long-term effects of a war?
What responsibilities does the press have in terms of how it reports news stories? What are the short-term benefits of exaggerating or fabricating stories to make exciting headlines? What might be some long-term benefits of adhering to the truth?