US Imperialism

Isolationism

US looked inward and did not try to influence the world

Imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, socially, and economically.

Rationale for American Imperialism

1. God's Plan

2. Social Darwinism

3. Overseas Markets to Sell Goods

4. Global Power Race

5. Defense of the Western Hemisphere

Triad Foreign Policy

Europe- NOT be very aggressive, trade with them

Pacific Islands- We WILL be very aggressive

North and South America- US will be forceful here, clean up backyard first before we expand

Acquisition of Alaska

1867- Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 Million ("Seward's Folly")

Annexation of Hawaii

Economic importance: sugar and travel
1898- Hawaii declared an American Territory
1959- Hawaii becomes the 50th state

Yellow Journalism

style of writing that exaggerated the truth to get people to read more articles

William Randolph Hearst

Yellow journalist, New York Journal

Joseph Pulitzer

Yellow journalist, New York World

US Sends USS Maine to Cuba

Jan 24, 1898:

1. Protect American interests

2. Show of force

De Lome Letter

Letter from De Lome to a friend in Cuba calls McKinley weak and don't be afraid of US. Placed in NY Journal by Hearst.
Americans angry, McKinley takes high road

Sinking of the USS Maine

Feb 15, 1898- 266 of the 355 US crew died. Mystery surrounding the cause but blamed on Spanish. Led to US declaring war.

Teller Amendment

Legislation that promised the US would not annex Cuba after winning the Spanish-American war

War in the Pacific (Philippines, Guam)

Philippines- Battle of Manila Bay, US destroys Spanish fleet in hours

Guam- US captures Guam in 30 min w/o firing a shot

War in the Caribbean

Naval blockade of Cuba, Training camps didn't have enough supplies, Heavy wool uniforms

John J. Pershing

First time leading troops, lead the "Smoked Yankees" in Cuba, nickname Black Jack

Rough Riders

Volunteer regiment of US Cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt during the Spanish American War

San Juan Heights (El Caney, Kettle Hill, San Juan Hill)

Rough Riders and Smoked Yankees captures San Juan Heights. Major Spanish outpost and forced retreat of Spanish fleet from Santiago Bay

Treaty of Paris 1898

1. Spain freed Cuba

2. America received Guam and Puerto Rico

3. America paid $20 million to Spain for Philippines

Platt Amendment

Legislation that severely restricted Cuba's sovereignty and gave the US the right to intervene if Cuba got into trouble

Philippine-American War

Filipinos rebel after US doesn't grant their independence. 3 year rebellion. Costly for America: 4,000 dead, $400 million. Kept Philippines until 1946

Open Door Policy

1899- Share trading rights to China with the US, No nation would receive a monopoly on Chinese trade

Boxer Rebellion

1899 rebellion in Beijing, China started by a secret society of Chinese who opposed the "foreign devils". Coalition of imperialistic nations put down the rebellion

Panama Canal

(TR) , The United States built the Panama Canal to have a quicker passage to the Pacific from the Atlantic and vice versa. It cost $380m to build.

Roosevelt Corollary

TR policy that United States has the right to protect its economic interests in South And Central America by using military force. "Speak softly and carry a big stick"

Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft's policy based on the financial stability of a region while protecting and extending U.S. commercial and financial interests

Moral Diplomacy

Wilson's policy to support countries with democratic governments and to economically injure non-democratic countries

Mexican Revolution

Wilson brings troops to Mexico to deal with Pancho Villa and the revolution. Forced to recall troops as WWI was on the horizon