Chapter 27: Empire and Expansion (1890-1909)

America in the 1890s

America in the 1890s

Was very isolationist. But began to sell goods and import them from foreign markets. We no longer really had a frontier; we cut down most of our labor force. Race of the fittest. If America were to thrive, it had to be IMPERIAL.

New Imperialism

Historians' term for the late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century wave of conquests by European powers, the United States, and Japan, which were followed by the development and exploitation of the newly conquered territories.

Big Sister Policy

A foreign policy of Secretary of State James G. Blaine aimed at rallying Latin American nations behind American leadership and opening Latin American markets to Yankee traders. The policy bore fruit in 1889, when Blaine presided over the First International Conference of American States (Pan-American Conference).

Samoan Crisis of 1889

Standoff between the United States, Germany, and Great Britain from 1887-89 over the control of a small chain of islands in the South Pacific. The incident involved 3 U.S. Navy warships, 3 German warships, and 1 British warship keeping each other at bay over several months. A cyclone in March of 1889 wrecked all the warships in the harbor. The Tripartite Convention of 1899 split the island chain into American and German sections.

New Orleans lynchings (1891)

Murders of 11 Italian Americans and Italian immigrants in New Orleans by a mob for their alleged role in the murder of police chief David Hennessy after some of them had been acquitted at trial. Italy almost went to war with the U.S., in response.

Bering Sea Arbitration

Dispute between US and Canada over seal hunting in the Bering Sea, by the Pribilof Islands off the coast of Alaska. During the dispute, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service (now known as the U.S. Coast Guard) captured several Canadian fishing vessels. Dispute eventually settled through arbitration. The U.S. paid for damages to the fishing vessels and the 60 mile "sealing zone" was recognized.

Venezuela boundary dispute (1895)

This event pitted the U.S. against Britain during a dispute between Britain and Venezuela over the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. The U.S. intervened on the basis of the Monroe Doctrine, but the British didn't give a sh*t about that... although the US and Britain did not go to war over this issue, it strained relations. The US emerged from the conflict of words as the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere.

Boer Wars (1899-1902)

The wars in South Africa between the British, Dutch settlers, and Zulu tribes. The British won the rights to the gold mines, but they allowed the Dutch to establish racial control over the natives.

Hawaii before annexation

It was an island nation ruled by a monarchy. High sugar. In the early 1820s, New England missionaries from America had arrived to convert Native Hawaiians to Protestantism. A center of sugar production

McKinley Tariff of 1890

Tariff that raised tariffs to the highest level they had ever been. Big businesses favored these tariffs because they protected U.S. businesses from foreign competitions. Led to higher tariff on imported sugar, Hawaii's primary market. The higher taxes strained the relationships of American investors and sugar farmers in Hawaii, leading to the eventual annexation

Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom (January 17, 1893)

Event where Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokolani was overthrown by the Committee of 13 with the aid of the US Military per the authorization of US Minister John L Stevens. President Cleveland investigated, thought it wrong, and delayed annexation. Whites were the minority and annexation was not favored by locals. Hawaii touched off the imperialism debate.

Cuban Rebellion (1895)

Event - Cuban Jose Marti leads a revolt in 1895. It is brutally crushed by Spanish troops. The Americans are concerned, having LOTS of investment in Cuba. Cubans were forced into prison or concentration camps, published in US newspapers and pitied. These were caused by the insurrectos. Also damaged American interests on their land ($50 million in Cuba and an annual trade stake of about $100 million, all of it put at risk by revolutionary upheaval).

Yellow Press

A deliberately sensational journalism of scandal and exposure designed to attract an urban mass audience and increase advertising revenues. Very popular during the Spanish-American War.

Frederick Remington

Illustrator, sculptor of the west employed by Hearst to illustrate the revolution in Cuba and promote a war with Spain. Example: He drew Spanish officials stripping and searching an American woman, when in reality, Spanish women, not men, searched other women.

Dupuy de Lôme

The Spanish minister to the United States who found himself at the center of a scandal when his private letter maligning President McKinley was made public in 1898 by William Hearst.

USS Maine Explosion (February 15, 1898)

Event where the USS Maine, a U.S. battleship, explodes off the coast of Cuba in Havana harbor and helps contribute to the start of the Spanish-American War. NOT caused by Spain, but we put the blame on the Spanish as an excuse for war. In April 11, 1898, Congress authorized the use of force in Cuba. In April 25, 1898, Congress made this decision after the USS Maine was sunk.

Teller Amendment

This Senate measure stated that under no circumstances would the United States annex Cuba. The amendment was passed as many in the muckraking press were suggesting that the Cuban people would be better off "under the protection" of the U.S

Battle of Manila Bay (1898)

The defeat of the Spanish Pacific fleet by the U.S. Navy, resulting in the fall of the Philippines and contributing to the final U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War. Led by Commodore Dewey and his U.S. Asiatic Squadron from Hong Kong.

Annexation of Hawaii (July 7, 1898)

A resolution of Hawaii that was rushed through Congress and approved by McKinley. By 1900, residents of Hawaii were granted US citizenship and received full territorial status. (stepping stones across the Pacific)

Rough Riders

The First United States Volunteer Calvary, a mixture of Ivy League athletes and western frontier men, volunteered to fight in the Spanish-American War. Enlisted by Theodore Roosevelt, they won many battles in Florida and enlisted in the invasion army of Cuba.

Battle of San Juan Hill

One of the most important battles of the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, and Pershing's Buffalo Soldiers defeated the Spanish on Kettle and San Juan Hill.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

The treaty that concluded the Spanish American War. Commissioners from the U.S. were sent to Paris on October 1, 1898 to produce a treaty that would bring an end to the war with Spain after six months of hostility. From the treaty America got Guam, Puerto Rico. and they paid $20M for the Philippines, to avoid being America being seen as an imperial power. Cuba was freed from Spain.

Spanish-American War (1898)

War fought between the United States and Spain in Cuba and the Philippines. America intervened "on behalf of" Cuba and Philippines, but really wanted to establish itself in the Pacific. It lasted less than 3 months and resulted in Cuba's independence as well as the U.S. annexing Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Lasted only 113 days and affirmed America as a world power, gaining respect from Europe. Closing of the conflict between the North and South, which had been formed in the Civil War. But Latin American nations got suspicious.

Anti-Imperialist League

Organization that objected to the annexation of the Philippines and the building of an American empire. Idealism, self-interest, racism, constitutionalism, and other reasons motivated them, but they failed to make their case; the Philippines were annexed in 1900. The Philippines created the most heated debate on imperialism, since until now, the U.S. had mostly acquired territory from the American continent, and even with Alaska, Hawaii, and the other scattered islands, there weren't many people living there.

Rudyard Kipling (1864-1936)

English writer and poet; wrote the poem "White Man's Burden" (1899) as the duty of European and Euro-American peoples to bring order and enlightenment to distant lands. Urged America to keep the Philippines and "civilize them."

Foraker Act of 1900

Congress accorded the Puerto Ricans a limited degree of popular government and in 1917, granted then US citizenship. Worked wonders in education, sanitation, transportation, and more

Philippine-American War (1899-1902)

Rebellion in the Pacific in which the Filipino people attempted to gain their independence from the United States The campaign failed and the U.S. maintained control of the Islands. This newly gained territory allowed the U.S. to control/increase trade in Asia.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of the Filipino independence movement against Spain (1895-1898). He proclaimed the independence of the Philippines in 1899, but his movement was crushed and he was captured by the United States Army in 1901. Became the first ever president of the Philippines.

Philippine Commission

Committee led by William Howard Taft to resolve the challenges of how to govern the Philippines. He was fond of Filipinos, calling them his "little brown brothers." Sought improvements like in Puerto Rico.

Benevolent Assimilation

This was the term for helping the Philippines move into the mainstream of modern society. McKinley and the U.S. were trying to assimilate the Philippines to better their lot in life. American dollars went to the Philippines to improve roads, sanitation, and public health. Although the U.S. might have looked intrusive, they were actually trying to improve the condition of the Philippines.

First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)

War fought between the Qing Empire of China and the Empire of Japan. Japan took Korea during the war (also will annex Korea in 1910), which was a protectorate of China, and then invaded China itself. After invading Manchuria and destroying the Chinese navy, the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed, giving Japan its first two colonies: Taiwan and the Pescadores Island. Following the loss, China was carved into spheres of influence by European powers. Leaseholds on land for trade purposes.

Open Door Policy (1899)

Diplomatic policy by Secretary of State John Hay which established a system of equal trade and investment for the U.S. and Europeans, and to guarantee the territorial integrity of Qing China. Also urged European powers to respect the Chinese and their rights while they were trading. Signed because of our worry was become of Europe and Asian influences taking away American trade and commerce in China. Feared that Europe would monopolize the Chinese markets.

Boxer Rebellion (1900)

An uprising in China directed against foreign influence in Beijing, China, by a patriotic group known as the "Boxers." It was suppressed by an multi-national force of some eighteen thousand soldiers, including several thousand Americans. 200 died and many diplomats and foreigners were held hostage. The powers made China pay $333 million for damages, of which the U.S. was to receive $24 million.

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic candidate for president in 1896 under the banner of "free silver coinage" which won him support of the Populist Party.

1896 election

Campaign between Democrat William Jennings Bryan and Republican William McKinley. Bryan was backed by the Populist party, but disliking his Vice Presidential candidate, the Populists nominated their own candidate for VP. Bryan also lost the gold-bug Democrats who nominated their own candidate after he came out in support of bimetallism. McKinley SLAMMED; 7,218,491 to 6,356,734 popular votes, and 292 to 155 electoral votes.

Assassination of William McKinley (September 1901)

Event where President McKinley was shot on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition at the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York. He was shaking hands with the public when Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, shot him twice in the abdomen. His VP, Theodore Roosevelt, was sworn in as POTUS.

Theodore Roosevelt

American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist, and reformer who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. Increased size of Navy, "Great White Fleet". Added Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine. "Big Stick" policy. Received Nobel Peace Prize for mediation of end of Russo-Japanese war. Later arbitrated split of Morocco between Germany and France. The first modern president.

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty of 1901

A treaty signed between the United States and Great Britain, giving Americans a free hand to build a canal in Central America. The treaty nullified the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850, which prohibited the British or U.S. from acquiring territory in Central America.

Philippe Bunau-Varilla

Chief engineer of the French company that attempted to build a canal through the Panamanian isthmus, chief planner of the Panamanian revolt against Colombia, and later minister to the United States from the new Republic of Panama.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (1903)

Treaty that granted the US land to build the Panama canal in exchange for $10 million and annual payments to Panama. Occured shortly after Panama's independance.

Panama Canal

A ship canal 40 miles long across the Isthmus of Panama built by the United States. Began construction in 1904 and ended in 1914, at a cost of $400M.

Roosevelt Corollary (1904)

Roosevelt's extension of the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the United States has the right to protect its economic interests in South And Central America by using military force

Bad Neighbor Policy

Term used to refer to American policy by foreign nations when the U.S. was using military power to take over Latin American countries.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

A conflict that took place between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan. It was primarily fought over territorial disputes in East Asia, particularly in Manchuria and Korea. The war ended with the Treaty of Portsmouth, which was mediated by the United States and resulted in Japan gaining control over Korea and parts of Manchuria. The war had significant implications for both countries and profoundly impacted the balance of power in East Asia.

Treaty of Portsmouth (1905)

Treaty that the United States mediated the end of the Russo-Japanese War, in Portsmouth, NH. Negotiating the treaty in the U.S. increased U.S. prestige. Roosevelt received a Nobel Peace Prize for the mediation.

San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

A 7.8 earthquake major fires broke out; more than 3,000 people were killed, 80% of the city was destroyed. City decreed that due to lack of space, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean children should attend special schools becoming an international issue. Whites made the Asian children attend different schools for more land... growing segregation. But TR settled the issue.

Root-Takahira Agreement (1910)

Agreement between US and Japan officially recognizing the territorial sovereignty of each nation.