American Imperialism & Spanish-American War: Key Concepts & Debates

Imperialism

The cultural, economic, and political domination of a strong nation over a weaker nation/entity.

Time Period of Imperialism

Immediate post-Civil War period (1865-1900).

Top 3 Economies

U.S., Britain, and Germany.

Overproduction

"We're raising more than we can consume, we're making more than we can use." Need for new markets.

Standard Oil Company of New York (SOCONY)

An example of overproduction necessitating new markets.

Social Darwinism

Embraces the idea that some people are "just better than others" (corporations, countries) from natural selection.

Anglo-Saxonism

The belief that English-speaking nations were of superior character, laws, institutions, and system of government.

Joshua Strong

Christian Minister who popularized Anglo-Saxonism in the U.S. with his writings, including "Our Country."

Cultural Imperialism

The belief in a social and moral duty to civilize others, supported by Rudyard Kipling's poem 'White Man's Burden.'

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Argued a strong industrial nation should build a modern navy, acquire overseas territory, establish coaling stations, and build the Panama Canal.

Hegemony

One country having 100% dominance over a certain area/region.

Isolationism

Not getting involved in foreign affairs (Initial post-Civil War stance).

Monroe Doctrine

Policy of expressing isolationism, telling Europe to stay away and not interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

Acquisition of Alaska (1867)

Known as 'Seward's Folly' but proved to be an important step in the 'American Empire.'

Samoan Islands (Pago Pago - 1878)

Important coaling station for trade with Japan and China.

Significance of Hawaii

Known as the 'Crossroads of the Pacific.'

Bayonet Constitution (1887)

Increased power of U.S. planters/landowners in Hawaii.

McKinley Tariff (1890)

Prevented the free import of Hawaiian sugar, wrecking the Hawaiian economy and encouraging annexation.

Queen Liliuokalani

Tried to curb American influence in Hawaii.

Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani (1893)

Planters overthrew the Queen and set up a provisional government.

Annexation of Hawaii

President Cleveland refused annexation, but it was eventually annexed in 1898 under a non-isolationist president.

Venezuelan Boundary Dispute (1895)

U.S. intervened between Venezuela and British Guiana, asserting the Monroe Doctrine.

Pan-Americanism

The idea that the U.S. and Latin American nations should work together.

Banana Republic

Countries controlled by U.S. interests (e.g., the United Fruit Co. / Chiquita).

Cuban Rebellion (Began 1895)

Cuban rebels declared independence, fighting a bloody guerrilla war.

Economic Crisis in Cuba

The U.S. sugar tariff hurt the Cuban economy; U.S. investments were threatened.

Spanish Atrocities

Governor Weyler established Reconcentration Camps, leading to suffering and death.

Yellow Journalism

Used exaggerated/outrageous stories to sway public opinion and increase newspaper sales.

The De Lôme Letter

Spanish minister's letter published by the NY Journal (Hearst), insulting President McKinley and the U.S. public.

The USS Maine Sinking

The ship exploded in Havana Harbor; 258 U.S. sailors died. The press and public immediately blamed Spain.

President McKinley's War Message

Asked Congress to intervene for four key reasons: to stop suffering and starvation of the Cuban people, to ensure safety of Americans and their property in Cuba, to protect American business and trade, and because the war was a threat to American peace and stability.

Jingoism

Excessive, aggressive nationalism, popular with Republicans, pushing for war.

Teller Amendment

Congress declared war but added this amendment, promising the U.S. would not annex Cuba but only help it achieve independence.

Duration of the War

War ended August 12, 1898.

Pacific Theater

Commodore George Dewey sent the Pacific Fleet toward the Philippines and achieved a quick victory in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino revolutionary leader who later had hostility with the Americans.

Caribbean Theater (Cuba)

U.S. forces landed in Cuba on June 14, 1898. The Rough Riders and Buffalo Soldiers played key roles in battles like San Juan Hill.

Treaty of Paris

Ended the war in December 1898.

American Empire Debate

Debate over what to do with the newly acquired territories (Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines).

Pro-Annexation (Imperialists)

Cited economic/military benefits, Anglo-Saxonism, and religious duty.

Anti-Imperialists

Argued it was anti-American to own colonies and that the costs outweighed the benefits.

McKinley's Decision

Annex! The U.S. paid Spain $20 million.

Philippine Insurrection

Fighting broke out between Americans and Filipinos who felt cheated out of independence (Aguinaldo led the revolutionary government).

Insular Cases

The Supreme Court ruled that constitutional rights were not automatically extended to territorial possessions.

Congress's Power

Congress holds the power to decide which rights are given to people in the territories who were not considered citizens.

Puerto Rico Status

Decided that Puerto Rico will be an unincorporated territory, meaning there is no path to statehood.

Dependency

Only Congress can set tariffs and give rights.

Foraker Act

Sets up civil government for Puerto Rico; Congress controls everything.

Citizenship in Puerto Rico

Puerto Ricans are not citizens, and Congress makes the laws and appoints governors and other officials.

Jones Act

Provided citizenship to Puerto Ricans in 1917.

Home Rule

In 1947, Puerto Ricans were given 'home rule,' allowing them to run their own government.

Senator George F. ****

Assailed imperialists, arguing against the moral law for strong nations.

Professor William G. Sumner

A leading anti-imperialist who opposed the United States' 'civilizing mission' in the Philippines.

White Man's Burden

The moral obligation to civilize other nations, often criticized as a guise for imperialism.

Civilizing Mission

The justification used by nations to expand their influence and control over others.

Imperialistic Misery

The suffering caused by imperialism, often overlooked by those promoting civilizing missions.

American Energy vs. Spanish Sloth

The belief that American resources and commerce would surpass those of Spain in the Philippines.

Militant Manhood

Refers to the virile, ambitious young men of the republic seen as essential for expansion.

Cuba

A location where Americans aimed to establish a 'common-school civilization.'

Order of the Stars and Stripes

Symbolizes American citizenship and the ideals of the Great Republic.

Materialistic-Humanitarian Arguments

Arguments used by imperialists to justify annexation, focusing on economic and moral benefits.

Declaration of Independence

A foundational document emphasizing freedom and nonintervention, often cited by anti-imperialists.

Washington's Farewell Address

A speech advising against foreign entanglements, referenced in anti-imperialist arguments.

Emancipation Proclamation

A document that freed slaves in Confederate states, highlighting American principles of freedom.

Civilized Nation

A term used to describe nations that claim to have a civilizing mission.

Phariseeism

Hypocritical moralizing, often criticized in the context of imperialism.

French belief

The French believe themselves the guardians of the highest and purest culture, expecting oracles of thought and taste from Paris.

German mission

The Germans regard themselves as charged with a mission to save Americans from egoism and materialism.

Russian civilizing mission

The Russians talk about the civilizing mission of Russia in a manner similar to imperialistic rhetoric.

First principle of Mohammedanism

The first principle of Mohammedanism is that Christians are considered dogs and infidels, fit only to be enslaved or butchered by Moslems.

Corollary of Mohammedanism

Wherever Mohammedanism extends, it is believed to carry the highest blessings and would elevate the human race if it supplanted Christianity.

Spanish self-perception

Spaniards have considered themselves the most zealous Christians, charged by the Almighty to spread true religion and civilization globally.

Spanish view of others

Spaniards think of themselves as free and noble leaders in refinement, despising others as sordid money-grabbers and heretics.

National vanity

Each nation laughs at the manifestations of national vanity in others, including their own pretensions.

Repudiation of standards

Each nation repudiates the standards of others, leading to disdain from outlying nations towards civilized standards.

Assumption of American superiority

Americans assume that their practices and ideas are welcome blessings to Spanish-Americans and Filipinos, which is grossly untrue.

Hostility to American ways

Spanish-Americans and Filipinos are hostile to American ideas, religion, language, institutions, and manners.

Task from Spaniards

The most important inheritance from the Spaniards will be the task of suppressing rebellions.

American imperialism

If the United States assumes Spain's mission, it risks adopting the same vanity and self-conceit as Spain.

Liberty as an American principle

Liberty means allowing people to live their own lives in their own way, which is contradicted by imposing American ideals.

William Jennings Bryan's stance

Bryan favored giving the Philippines independence, opposing the Republican stance of retaining them.

Republican accusations

Republicans accused Bryan of prolonging the insurrection by holding out false hopes.

Aguinaldo cover story

A popular magazine featured a picture of the Filipino leader with the query, 'Who is behind Aguinaldo?' revealing Bryan's hawklike features.

McKinley's victory

McKinley triumphed by a handsome margin, with Republicans claiming a national mandate to retain the Philippines.

Bryan's bitterness

Bryan expressed his bitterness several months after the United States captured Aguinaldo.

Bryan's rebuttal

Bryan's strongest rebuttal to Republican charges was in response to accusations of prolonging the insurrection.

Bryan's prophetic abilities

The text questions how good a prophet Bryan was regarding the situation in the Philippines.

The Splendid Little War

A term referring to the Spanish-American War, noted for its brevity and the enthusiasm it generated among Americans.

deLôme letter

A letter from the Spanish ambassador to the U.S. that criticized President McKinley, indicating Spain's condescending view of the United States.

Maine

A U.S. Navy battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor, leading to increased tensions and the decision to engage in war with Spain.

African-Americans in the Spanish-American War

African-Americans served in various roles, contributing to the war effort despite facing racial discrimination.

splendid little war

A phrase reflecting the perception of the Spanish-American War as a quick and successful military engagement.

War Message

A speech by President McKinley urging Congress to declare war against Spain, highlighting the need to protect American interests.

annexation of the Philippines

The proposed acquisition of the Philippines by the United States, which sparked significant debate and conflict among Americans.

Cuban rebels and Spanish rulers

The conflict in Cuba during the late 19th century characterized by tensions between independence-seeking rebels and colonial Spanish authorities.

American perception of the Cuban conflict

Americans viewed the conflict as a struggle for freedom, leading to increased support for intervention.

U.S. government's initial stance

Initially adopted a neutral position regarding the conflict between Cuban rebels and Spanish rulers.

Impact of the Maine incident

The explosion of the Maine galvanized public opinion in favor of war against Spain.

Arguments for annexation

Proponents believed it would enhance U.S. power and influence, while opponents raised concerns about imperialism.

Diversity of anti-imperialists

The varied backgrounds of anti-imperialists like Gompers, Carnegie, and Washington strengthened the movement's appeal.