History 8.1 - 8.3

US Pre WW1 and Spanish - American War

Imperialism

a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force

Annex

to incorporate a country or territory into the domain of another country or state

Yellow Journalism

sensational, exaggerated journalism on controversial topics; Yellow Ink used led to the name

Dollar Diplomacy

a policy of using financial power to reap international influence that was used by the US in Latin America

Yellow Journalism - Section

• Many newspapers exaggerated and created stories to create sympathy for the rebels and entice readers (think “Click Bate”)

• However, the rebels suffered terribly during this fight. Rural men, women, and children were rounded up and put in concentration camps where 1,000’s died; Spain sent almost 200,000 troops to squash the rebellion

• Yellow ink used in newspapers led to the name of yellow journalism

Rough Rider

a volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War

Protectorates

a nation that is under the control and protection of another nation

Autonomy

the right of self-government

Jingoism

extreme nationalism marked by aggressive foreign policy

Sphere of Influence

area of a country where a foreign nation enjoys special rights and powers

Open Door Policy

a policy that allowed all countries to trade freely with China

Guerilla

armed fighter who carries out surprise attacks

Colonialism

the practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Big Picture - Imperialism

• This policy expands throughout Europe in the late 1800’s - Italy, Belgium, and Germany all joined the party; while France, Portugal, Spain, and Great Britain were imperial empires prior to the American Revolution

• The US began to annex new lands for both religious (Christianity) and economic reasons

• Alaska 1867; Hawaii 1899; and American Samoa 1899 - these lands provided agriculture, strategic trade, and ports

Foreign Policy

• The US sought to be the dominant force in the Western hemisphere - the Monroe Doctrine said the Americas were no longer open to colonization and any attempt to do so would be seen as a threat to the US

• The expansion of the US Navy sought to reinforce this idea. The US wanted political, economic, and moral influence in these areas whereas Europe sought colonization

• Pacific Expansion: Treaty of Kanagawa opened up trade and ports with Japan; Hawaii was wanted for sugar plantations and a naval base; annexed by the US in 1898 after a power struggle with their Queen and wealthy planters

Perry Opens Japan

• Japanese rulers believed western influences would destroy their culture.  

• Up until 1853, Japan only traded w/ the Dutch and Chinese

• July 8, 1853 - Four American warships commanded by Commodore Mathew Perry landed in Edo Bay (Tokyo Bay)

• American ships, firepower, clothing, and technology stunned the Japanese people

• Soon the Japanese signed the Treaty of Kanagawa allowing trade between the US and Japan

• This treaty was a prelude to future U.S. Pacific endeavors.  By the turn of the century, Japan would have powerful navy in a strong Asian empire 

• (Japan instituted sukoku in 1630s, “locked country”)

Age of Empire

• The 1880s and the early 1890s saw the powers of Europe divide and colonize Africa and parts of Asia using Imperialism. (Economic domination of a strong nation over a weaker nation)

• In the years immediately following the Civil War most Americans had no interest in the outside world

Annexation of Hawaii

• The United States had not added territory since negotiating a deal with Russia to purchase Alaska in 1867

• In the 1800s the island kingdom of Hawaii was inhabited by American sailors, traders.

• Hawaii was rich in sugar and fruit among other products

• The issue of Hawaiian annexation bounced around in the Harrison and Cleveland administrations but was never completed

• Finally, President McKinley decided to back annexation once he was made aware that Japan had its eye on the territory

• Hawaii will become the 50th state in 1959

Supporting Cuba and Calls for War

• Cuba - one of the oldest Spanish colonies and a major sugar producer

• 1868 - Cuban rebels declare independence from Spain, but after a decade rebellion collapsed - many rebels fled and came to US

• 1890’s - US - Cuba economically tied due to sugar exports and US investments; US tariffs crumbled Cuban economy and caused another rebellion

• Rebels gained control of eastern Cuba; US President Cleveland declared our neutrality, but many Americans believed horrendous news stories and supported the rebels

Problems in Cuba

• In 1898 the Battleship USS Maine was sent to Havana Harbor just to observe and to evacuate American citizens if needed

• On February 15th 1898, the USS Maine exploded, killing 260 American sailors

• Both the United States Navy and the Spanish conducted investigations into the explosion

• The Spanish concluded it was an accident but the Americans said it could have been the result of a submarine or mine attack

Spanish - American War

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt decided to act

• Roosevelt contacted commodore George Dewey commander of the Atlantic fleet and told him to attack the Spanish held Philippine islands if was declared

• On April 11th 1898, McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war with Spain

• Congress also passed the Teller Amendment which stated that once Spanish rule was overthrown, Cuba would be given its freedom

• On May 1st 1898 Commodore Dewey carried out his orders and enter Manila Bay

• The Spanish fired first and were quickly destroyed by the far superior American ships

• Dewey brought Filipino revolutionary leader Emilio Aguinaldo out of exile in Hong Kong to lead a rebellion until American troops arrived

• Manila fell in August and 400 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines was over

• The Spanish surrendered Cuba, and the American forces turned to Spanish held Puerto Rico, capturing it as well

• The war was over and cost only 345 American lives (2,500 died from disease)

• Spain met the United States in Paris to sign the peace treaty (Treaty of Paris)

• Spain gave the Cubans Freedom

• Spain turned over the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the US

Panama Canal

• The US controlled the Panama Canal from 1914 until 1979

• It began as a French project - disease and mudslides resulted in over 20,000 French deaths. Eventually, they sold the rights to the canal to the US for $40 million

• Panama was part of Columbia - we wanted an independent Panama so the US assisted with military needs - after Panama independence we paid $10 million to Panama to take possession of the Panama Canal Zone

• The US endured some of the same French problem, but was able to complete remaining construction in just over 10 years and with only a quarter of the number of deaths

• Canal was finished on August 15, 1914

• The Spanish-American War reignited the possibility of canal in Central America

• The main problem had was the Clayton-Butwer Treaty established in 1850 with the British

• The treaty said that if a canal was built it would be open for use by both US and Britain and neither would have soul ownership 

• By 1901 with negotiations by Secretary of State John Hay the British were willing to allow the United States to back out of the treaty.

• A French company that had attempted and failed to build a canal across Panama offered to sell its land and equipment to the United States for $40 million.

• Roosevelt accepted the deal and Congress agreed.

• Roosevelt had to negotiate with Columbia which controlled Panama at the time.

• The Columbians rejected American offers for a six mile wide zone across Panama.

• Instead of dealing with the Columbians Roosevelt decided to support a rebellion by the Panamanians who had tried several times to break away from Columbia.

• Once the rebellion started the US Navy prevented Colombian troops from crossing Panama to put it down.

• 3 days after the rebellion Roosevelt signed a treaty with the new Panamanian minister and widened the zone to ten miles.

• Panama gained its independence and the United States gained the right to build the canal.

• Construction began in 1904.

• After ten years and $400 million the canal was completed in 1914. 

• The Panama Canal remains the largest construction project in the western hemisphere.

Roosevelt Corollary

• “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”

• In the early 1900s several Central and South American nations began to default on the debts they owed several European powers.

• Germany actually went so far as to bomb a town in Venezuela in 1903.

• Even though the Europeans were just trying to collect on a debt, Roosevelt saw this as a clear violation of the Monroe Doctrine.

• Roosevelt decided to strengthen the longest standing U.S. foreign policy with what became known as the Roosevelt Corollary.

• The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine states that the United States could:

• Intervene in Latin American countries to pay off debts

• Intervene to stabilize failing governments

• The Corollary basically said that only the United States could get involved in the affairs of countries in Central and South America.

• In the future the corollary would be used to justify military interventions, and also served to create animosity between many Latin American nations and the United States.