EMPIRE BUILDING

I. Steps Toward Empire. Americans perceive themselves as a model society, but spreading our “goodness” would defy our tendencies towards isolationism.

A. US acquire territories in Alaska and

considers lands in the Caribbean/Latin America

ECONOMIC EXPANSION

1. Our inability to acquire territory outright meant dominating by economic means

– Panama Canal – 1881 James Blaine intervened in border disputes so U.S. could have commercial dominance

– Hawaii – sugar free duty; 1887 naval base at Pearl Harbor; • 1891 Queen Liliuokalani “Hawaii for Hawaiians”• McKinley Tariff removed duty free status and price plunged by 40%• U.S. led overthrow “for sugar, by sugar, of sugar”• Annexation in 1898; statehood 1950s

OTHER INFLUENCES

2. Our growing presence in Caribbean/South Pacific risks conflict with other global powers (Eng)– Chile; British Guyana; and Cuba

3.By the 1880’s’ our military readiness was poor. Most of our navy is from Civil War era. – Alfred Mahan – The Influence of Sea Power Upon History – Book influenced by Charles Darwin; National power needed

strong navy, navy needed bases, sea lanes, and development of resources; argued for canals and colonies in Caribbean and Pacific

OTHER INFLUENCES

4. Frederick Jackson Turner observes the closing of the American West in the 1890's. We have always been a nation expanding…so where do we go now?

5. Albert Beveridge – “American factories making more than American people can use; American soil is producing more than we can consume. Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world must and shall be ours.”

REASONS to EXPAND

B. American feelings for Expansion are supported by several arguments. 1. Profit. Expanding US economy into new markets will make Us Manufacturers money

- US becomes the largest manufacturer in the world by 1900 (#4 at start of the 1890's).

2. Patriotism: More prominent Americans start seeing us as a world power, and needing to develop a foreign policy reflecting that. Americans develop an interest in foreign affairs

REASONS TO EXPAND

3. Piety: The US has a moral obligation to spread its influence out to others. White, protestant people have the responsibility to lift up others. ("White Man's Burden")- Influenced by Josiah Strong “Our Country” – U.S. had been “divinely commissioned” to spread political liberty, Protestant Christianity, and civilized values over the Earth

-Missionaries help spread the word - China would help to overthrow Manchu dynasty and improve economic relations with China

REASONS TO EXPAND

4. Politics - Yellow Journalism – highly competitive popular press, penny daily paper; sensationalize the news – like tabloids today

a. William Randolph Hearst – Journalb. Joseph Pulitzer – World

Spanish American War 1898

II. The Spanish American War. Our interests in expansion bring us into conflict.

A. Cuba becomes the focus of US foreign attention in late 1890's…we had major economic ties with this colony of Spain. (Sugar is a major import to the US) 90 miles from FLWilson-Gorman Tariff restricts Cuban imports, cut trade by 50%; stage for revolution

Spanish American War

1. Independence movements put down brutally by Spanish. This angers the US people in 1890’s – Valeriano Weyler brutal, herding Cubans in to

concentration camps– US newspapers (Hearst and Pulitzer) sensationalize

the actions of the Spanish in trying to control Cuba. US people begin to support relief efforts, even military; Weyler becomes known as “the Butcher”

•

Spanish American War

2. McKinley does not war…even with a decrepit power like Spain. But as riots break out in Cuba, he faces increasing popular support for war over Cuba. a. Protector of weak, defender of self- determination

b. Protect American investments and trade and sugar fields from damage from war

Spanish American War

- The battleship Maine, one of our newest of a fleet of battleships, is sent to Havana to "protect" US citizens there. In 1898, it is blown up, with 262 sailors dead.

- The US public freaks, fed by the yellow press. War now a political necessity for McKinley.

a. printed story about letter showing McKinley was weak; Remember the Maine

Spanish American War

B. McKinley finally sees the need, and opportunity…he declares war on Spain in 1898. 1. The Teller amendment is added, guaranteeing Cubs its rights as a free nation…

C. The war consists of two major naval battles, and land campaigns in Cuba and Philippines

1. May 1898, Commodore George Dewey destroys Spain's Pacific fleet at Manila Bay

a. TR leads the Rough Riders

Spanish American War

2. The Spanish American Fleet is destroyed in Santiago, Cuba in July 1898.

3. Spanish are defeated in Cuba after a couple months of sporadic fighting. - 385 dead from combat, 5,000+ due to disease.

4. Teddy Roosevelt is given hero status for his exploits, widely written up in the press.

Spanish American War

D. The War is over by August, 1898. The US celebrates a great victory.

1. The Treaty of Paris. We receive what is left of Spain’s colonies. Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines. The Teller amendment only applies to Cuba! Paid $20 million

Philippines

III. Acquiring colonies from Spain creates both opportunity and problems for McKinley

A. The Philippines. The Filipinos had helped us fight the Spanish, and desperately wanted to be independent….so they simply continue the war with us! The Filipino-American War begins

1. This conflict becomes a bloody guerilla war. Filipino forces are led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

Philippines

2. The Philippines becomes a major political issue. McKinley wants to annex them, but how could land so far from the US ever become a state? Is annexation then legal? Can we control them?- Referred to them as our “little brown brothers” who need to be educated, civilized, and Christianized

Philippines

3. Those supporting expansion, and the profits/prestige involved, outnumber the critics. The Filipinos are eventually worn down, Aguinaldo is captured, and the war ends.

a. The conflict lasts from 1899 - 1902. 125,000+ serve, 4,200 dead, $400,000,000 spent

Philippines

B. In general, we modify the “territory” label to administer our new colonies like the Philippines

1. Natives could elect a legislature, but higher officials appointed by US. Varied Rights

2. In theory, the lands would be working towards eventual independence, although this process was very slow (Philippines in 1946, Puerto Rico never).

Anti-Imperialism

C. Anti-Imperialism League – 1. Rudyard Kipling – The Real White

Man’s Burden2. Twain, Carnegie, Bryan, Du Bois3. Violates Declaration and Constitution4. believed countries should have self-

determination and consent of governed

CHINA

IV. CHINA – 1. Countries had spheres of influence

2. 1899 John Hay negotiates “Open Door Policy” – open ports to all nations

3. Respect for territorial integrity of China• Boxer Rebellion -1900 – Revolt against Manchu dynasty and

growing Western presence in China• Boxers killed 242 missionaries and foreigners• International troops sent to stop rebellion; U.S. sends 2500

soldiers• Continue discrimination against Chinese in U.S.

Election of 1900

V. McKinley is re-elected easily in 1900 (Winning the SA War is key). Hero Teddy Roosevelt is chosen for Vice-president. Republican leaders fear his popularity, and being a VP gets him “out of the way”

1. McKinley is assassinated in 1901 by Leon Czolgosz, in Buffalo New York. “That damn cowboy” Teddy Roosevelt is President. Even people in his own party are worried

Teddy Roosevelt

V. TR as President 1901-1908. TR’s Foreign Policy is Aggressive.

A. "Speak softly, and carry a big stick" Military power is an effective diplomatic tool…but usually with smaller, less developed nations (you only “big stick” weaker nations)

Teddy Roosevelt

1. He felt civilized nations (stronger) had to use their force against the uncivilized (weaker)

a. This would in theory result in the spreading of “superior” culture to the “inferior”. It is a policy version of Social Darwinism.

b. Civilized nations, however, should avoid conflict…a balance of power is needed.

Panama CanalB. Panama. An example of TR’s Big Stick policy. The SA War showed us

we needed a quick way to get between coasts. This is a national defense issue. 1. The isthmus of Panama would be the shortest route, but not the easiest. Also, Panama was a province of Colombia, who would have to be directly compensated for it.

2. TR is enraged after the Colombian Senate turns down the US compensation offer a. A quick "revolution" is arranged by American-led Panamanians…the "nation" of Panama is established in 1903…three days later the US officially recognizes it.

Panama

3. A treaty is signed ceding the 10 mile wide canal zone to the US. Finished in 1914. - TR brags that he took Panama from the Colombians.

Roosevelt CorollaryC. TR’s terms begin the era where we are the "Policeman" of the

hemisphere. Usually disregarding feelings of the nations involved. Our military polices several nations in LA (Cuba, Venez, DR)

1. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine is a major foreign policy statement.

a. We have the right to police nations in the West hemi. who threaten stability. TR did use troops to back up the policy.

b. This policy did benefit our economic concerns by protecting US overseas corporate investments. Some brutal

dictatorships also benefited….if they supported our interests

TR, wishing to be the international leader, negotiates the Treaty of Portsmouth..ending the Russo-Japanese War. a. It is an indication of US willingness to be a player in world geopolitics + TR's attempt to forge a balance of world powers. b. Gentlemen’s Agreement – no emigration of laborers

3.. TR sends the US naval fleet the “Great White Fleet" on a worldwide cruise to show off our power. It is a great success, but also shows the nations of the world that naval power, updated and strong, is a must for world politics.

D. TR continues our policy of non commitment in Europe. He is a world leader, but is not able to head off the worsening situation in Europe. Most see the continent heading to war soon.