The United States and the Age of Imperialism

U.S. HistoryMrs. Toth

What is Imperialism?It is the quest for colonial

empires

It is when a country extends their power and/or authority over other lands or territories

It is the practice of establishing and controlling colonies

What are the reasons for Imperialism?

For Economic Purposes:◦To gain control over lands that were

not colonized

◦Factories needed more supplies which made countries need more raw/natural resources

◦To expand trade and their economy

What are the reasons for Imperialism?

For Military Reasons◦New inventions, such as the repeating

rifles and machine guns, made warfare and conquering lands easier

◦Countries would take over lands for military/naval bases

◦Countries would take over lands to create refueling stations

What are the reasons for Imperialism?

For Humanitarian Reasons:◦Many individuals felt that it was their

moral duty to spread Christianity

What are the reasons for Imperialism?

For Nationalistic Reasons:◦Nationalism is a devotion to one’s

nation

◦To gain control over lands that were not colonized

◦To expand the economy of a nation

History of America’s Policy Impacting Imperialism

President George Washington’s Farewell Address:◦Reminded Americans he was an

isolationist◦Alliances will drag our new nation

into war

◦Isolationism is when countries avoid political entanglements in other nation’s affairs, as well as, alliances

History of America’s Policy Impacting Imperialism

The Monroe Doctrine:◦1823, Pres. James Monroe

◦Stay in your own Hemisphere

◦You stay out of west, we’ll stay out of east

◦Protector of the Americas---we became known as the International Police

History of America’s Policy Impacting Imperialism

Age of the Manifest Destiny:◦1830-1860, Pres. James K. Polk

◦Expanding past the 13 colonies

◦From “Sea to Shining Sea”

◦New territories being added to the United States made Expansionism explode: We begin to turn away from isolationism

Reasons for Shift: Isolationist to Expansionist

Needed new markets for their products---New inventions, whose going to buy?

Alfred T. Mahan: The Influence of Sea Power upon History◦Encouraged naval build up◦Gain control, est. fueling stations◦New markets, raw materials ◦He encouraged “militarism”

Reasons for Shift: Isolationist to Expansionist

Nationalism Grew:◦Social Darwinism—believing the

strongest nations will prevail over weaker countries

Major Evangelistic Movement:◦Religious Evangelism was a major

movement that pushed the U.S. further from isolationism

Examples of U.S. Embracing Expansionism

◦1867-U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia William A. Seward (Secretary of State):

negotiated the purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million dollars

Purchase called “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox”

Turned out to be an EXCELLENT idea: for $.02 an acre the US. Acquired: timber, minerals, and oil!

Examples of U.S. Embracing Expansionism

Acquiring Hawaii—◦Descendents of American Missionaries were

wealthy landowners and sugar cane farmers

◦Controlled the economy

◦ King was a puppet on strings

◦Group of Businessmen: Bayonet Constitution—instituted Hawaiian

monarchy, king’s a figurehead with no real power

Examples of U.S. Embracing Expansionism

◦ U.S. attempting to annex Hawaii

◦ King dies, leaving power to sister, Queen Liliuokalani (Queen Lilly)

◦ Tried to overturn the Bayonet Constitution

◦ Overthrown by Americans

◦ (1898)—President Harrison and government annexed Hawaii

◦ (1959)—50th state

Expansionist vs. Anti-Imperialist

Expansionist Views:◦Josiah Strong

Congregational minister

Wrote “Our Country”

Anglo-Saxon mission to expand overseas and to civilize people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America

Expansionist vs. Anti-Imperialist

Expansionist Views◦Alfred T. Mahan

Wrote “The Influence of Sea Power on America”

Stressed the world’s greatest nations had risen largely because of their sea power

Greatness depends on sea power

Colonies overseas provides raw materials and refueling stations

Expansionist vs. Anti-Imperialist

Anti-Imperialist Views:◦Americans are hypocrites

US govn’t established on the principle of having a right to “self-government by the people” and that we would deny this right to areas we took over

We are rejecting the “liberty for all” principle

Racism was used as an argument

Expansionist vs. Anti-Imperialist

Anti-Imperialist Views:◦Expansionism raised costs (taxation,

debt, and military service)

◦Samuel Gompers raised unemployment as a concern (immigrants coming to take over jobs of

conquered areas)

◦Jane Addams, Samuel Gompers, Mark Twain, and Andrew Carnegie

Events Leading to Spanish-American War

Cuba was Spain’s last important possession in the America’s

(1895) Cuban patriots took up arms and fought for independence

Rebels were led by Jose Marti◦Exiled from Cuba and went to the U.S. ◦Wrote about cruelty of the Spanish and

gained sympathy from the U.S.

Events Leading to Spanish-American War

◦Returned to lead another rebellion and was killed in the fighting

General Weyler, (Spanish), began herding Cubans in to concentration camps and over 200,000 died◦Victims of Malnutrition and disease◦Journalists labeled Weyler “the butcher”

Events Leading to Spanish-American War

William Randolph HearstJoseph Pulitzer

◦Yellow Journalism◦Favored Cuban rebellion, war sold

newspapers◦“You provide the pictures and I’ll

furnish the war”◦Americans identified with “wanting

to be free”

Events Leading to the Spanish-American War

(1898)—Cubans intercepted letter from Spanish Minister—Enrique Dupuy De Lome◦Sent it to Hearst◦Described McKinley “weak and a

would-be politician”◦McKinley opposed war fearing a

depression◦Public opinion began changing his

position in war

Events Leading to Spanish-American War

January 1898◦Pres. McKinley sent U.S.S. Maine to

Cuba for protection from attack◦February 15, 1898, in Havana Harbor, the Maine exploded and quickly sank

◦266 Americans were killed◦April 11, 1898, US declares war on

Spain◦Spain didn’t want war against the

U.S.

The Spanish-American War

Teller Resolution◦United States fight for Cuba but wanted

no control

◦Spain broke off all relations with the U.S.

◦Went from not wanting war to “trying to prevent a war”

August 1898—Spain Surrendered

Major Battles During the Spanish-American War

Manila Bay Fighting◦Manila Bay Philippines (located in

Pacific Ocean)◦U.S. Navy, led my Commodore Dewey was dispatched from Hong Kong and his fleet entered Manila Bay April 30, 1898

◦Joined Emilo Aguinaldo and the Filipinos

◦American fleet outgunned the Spanish ships

◦1 American killed---BY HEATSTROKE!

Major Battles During the Spanish-American War

Fighting in Cuba—The Rough Riders◦Teddy Roosevelt resigned as Sec. of

Navy◦Accepted leadership if Rough Riders

A Calvary regiment that fought at San Juan Hill

◦Horses didn’t arrive, fought on foot◦Only horse belonged to Teddy Roosevelt◦Cowboys, Indians, well-known athletes◦Suffered from dysentery and malaria,

spoiled food and hot uniforms

Major Battles During the Spanish-American War

Capture of Santiago, Cuba◦Avoiding U.S. Navy by putting ships in

Santiago Harbor◦Bottled Spanish up and attacked ◦Forced Spanish to a village in San Juan

Hill◦Rough Riders and African American

soldiers took San Juan hill Aug. 1, 1898◦Spanish fleet was blasted by Americans◦1 American Killed

Major Battles During the Spanish-American War

The war only lasted 100 DAYS!

“The Splendid Little War”◦McKinley’s Secretary of State

Provisions of the Treaty of Paris 1898

Treaty ended Spanish American War

Independence from Spain

Leave Cuba!!!

Cede territories to U.S.◦Guam and Puerto Rico

U.S. bought Philippine Islands for $20 Million

United States Governing Cuba and Puerto Rico

Platt Amendment (US and Cuba)◦No treaties, jeopardizes freedom◦US intervention; imperative to independence◦US leasing Cuban Land

Made Cuba an American Protectorate◦Protecting from others, intervening if

necessary

Jones Act of 1917◦Puerto Rico: American Citizens

U.S. Relations: Beginning of the 19th Century

China:◦For Centuries: “NO TRADE”◦Mid 1800s, opened 5 Ports◦Japan attacked in 1895

U.S. Relations: Beginning of the 19th Century

China Continued…◦Europe took advantage

◦GB, France, Germany, Russia and Japan carved “spheres of influence”

◦United States was left out

◦Sec. of State, John Hay, instituted the Open Door Policy “Don’t close doors to traders from other

countries”

U.S. Relations: Beginning of the 19th Century

China Continued…◦ “Fists of Righteous Harmony” or “Boxers”

◦ Blamed for troubles economically and religiously

◦ (1900) attacked Western Missionaries and traders….killed 200! (Boxer Rebellion)

◦ Westerners sent armies

◦ John Hay, Second Open Door Policy Equal trading rights Guarantee Chinese independence

President Teddy Roosevelt1901-1909

Promises interventions in Foreign Policy

“Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick”◦Management of domestic issues by

breaking up trusts and regulating the economy

President Teddy Roosevelt1901-1909

Panama Canal◦ 1904-1914◦ Needed to guard

America’s Empire

Where to Build?◦ Panama

Shorter, mtns, jungle

◦ Nicaragua Longer, level

President Teddy Roosevelt1901-1909

Why Did the U.S. Choose Panama?◦French Company led by Philippe Bunau-

Varilla

◦$280 Million: 20,000 Lives Lost

◦US aided Panama in their independence from Colombia 10 Mile Canal Zone $10 Million up front $250,000 a year (later $2 million) 10 miles Wide, 50 miles long

President Teddy Roosevelt1901-1909

Building the Canal◦ Walter Reed

Yellow Fever by Mosquitoes

◦ Colonel George W. Goethals 10 yrs to build US spent $400

Million

President Teddy Roosevelt1901-1909

Roosevelt Corollary◦Extension of the Monroe Doctrine◦“We will enforce the Monroe Doctrine;

so don’t mess with any countries in the Americas”

◦Policeman of the Caribbean

◦Provisions: United States renounces further expansion US claims herself the “Big Brother” of the

Western Hemisphere nations

President Teddy Roosevelt1901-1909

Russo- Japanese War◦(1904) threatens “Open Door Policy”◦Endangered American Interest◦China was threatened by war◦Asked to keep China neutral

Portsmouth Conference (1905)◦Meeting to gain peace b/w Japan and

Russia◦Roosevelt served as the mediator◦Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1906