Imperialism (Late 1800s–Early 1900s)

William McKinley

President during Spanish-American War (1898), annexed Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii

Theodore Roosevelt

Led Rough Riders, pushed “Big Stick Policy,” built Panama Canal

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval officer, argued for a strong navy (The Influence of Sea Power)

Henry Cabot Lodge

Senator, supported imperialism

Sanford B Dole

First president of Hawaii after overthrow of monarchy

Imperialists

Supported expansion for power, markets, and resources

Anti-Imperialists

Opposed expansion, argued it violated American ideals of democracy

Significance of 1898

Spanish-American War; US became a world power

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated news to push war (Hearst, Pulitzer)

USS Maine

Ship that exploded in Cuba, sparked war with Spain

De Lomé Letter

Spanish diplomat insulted McKinley; fueled war support

Protectorate

Territory controlled and protected by a stronger nation

Open Door Policy

US policy for equal trade rights in China

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft’s policy of using economic power to expand influence

Roosevelt Corollary

Extension of Monroe Doctrine; US can intervene in Latin America

Big Stick Policy

Roosevelt’s foreign policy: “speak softly and carry a big stick"

Philippine Revolution

Filipinos resisted US rule after Spanish-American War

Panama Canal

Built under Roosevelt; faced disease and engineering challenges

Annexation of Hawaii

US took over Hawaii (1898) for sugar, naval base

Cuba

US helped win independence but kept influence through Platt Amendment

Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines

Acquired after Spanish-American War; Puerto Rico still U.S Territory

Areas of US interest

Caribbean, Pacific, Latin America, Asia

Benefits to people in new territories

Modernization, infrastructure (though often limited self-rule)