how did the u.s. deal with its new territorial possessions at the beginning of the 20 th century ?
TRANSCRIPT
How did the U.S. deal with its new territorial possessions at the
beginning of the 20th century ?
Spanish-American War
Driven by the “Yellow Press”
Pulitzer and Hearst Hearst – “You furnish
the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”
Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine makes war inevitable
U.S. victory and the 1898 Treaty of Paris
Puerto Rico and Guam become American possessions
Cuba would be independent (protectorate) The Philippines would be annexed Hawaii would also be annexed * (not part of
the treaty)
Puerto Rico
Foraker Act- gave U.S. power to appoint governor
Two-house legislature established 1950- Constitution is drafted 1952- Commonwealth status U.S. handles external affairs still
Cuba
Independence is “hazy” Unofficial status as a
protectorate Platt Amendment-
series of provisions that gave the U.S. authority to make major decisions for Cuba
Cuba (con’t)
Economic and military domination Troops sent back and forth to support
political groups 90% of Cuba’s foreign trade was with U.S. Strategic importance of Cuba always
highlighted 1934- Platt Amendment abrogated, but
Guantanamo Bay base remained
Hawaii
Influence of U.S. dates to 1820’s
Sugar plantations owned by White Businessmen
Force changes in Constitution
Eventually revolution led by white business interests overthrow
Queen Liliuokalani►
Hawaii (con’t)
Cleveland’s representative condemns action of the whites/ Cleveland calls for return of Liliuokalani
instead, Republic of Hawaii is established by white plantation owners ( Sanford Dole made president)
Congress resists using force against “their own” and votes to interfere no further in Hawaii
1898 –voted a territory
The Philippines
Rebellion vs. Spanish had been on-going
U.S. recognizes the rebels as rightful reps. of the people (led by Emilo Aguinaldo)
U.S. gains control and changes its mind► bloody war of occupation ensues
Independence in 1946
Insular Cases
Series of Supreme Court Cases that established that the constitution did not “extend with full force to the new *” territories
Gives Congress a free-hand in deals with the territories
* Bailey, Thomas. The American Pageant. Houghtin-Mifflin: Boston, 1998. p.656
The Great Republic is now an Empire. Will it meet the fate of history’s other great republic ?