1.4 Why did the USA emerge as a world power and what was the impact on international relations?

Closing of the Frontier

By 1890 the U.S. had expanded across the continent, pushing policymakers to look overseas for new opportunities

Manifest Destiny

Belief that U.S. expansion was inevitable, divinely ordained, and would spread American values

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

U.S. policy warning Europe not to interfere in the Americas

Industrial Growth Factors

Raw materials, population growth, mass production, railroads, corporations, and investment capital

Panic of 1893

Major economic depression caused by bank and railway failures, increasing interest in overseas markets

Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890)

Book arguing national greatness depended on strong naval power

Naval Expansion

Growth of a modern U.S. steel navy, influencing future Great White Fleet

Panama Canal (1914)

Canal built after U.S.-supported Panama revolt against Colombia, giving U.S. strategic control

Cuban Revolt (1895)

Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain, threatening U.S. business interests

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news that exaggerated events to push public opinion toward war

USS Maine Explosion (Feb. 15, 1898)

Ship explosion killing 268 Americans, used by press to blame Spain

Teller Amendment (1898)

Declared U.S. intervention in Cuba would not lead to annexation

Spanish–American War (1898)

Short war where U.S. defeated Spain in Cuba and the Philippines

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Ended the war

Platt Amendment

Allowed U.S. intervention in Cuba and granted a naval base at Guantanamo Bay

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft’s policy encouraging U.S. investment in Latin America to reduce European influence

Lodge Corollary

Extension of Monroe Doctrine blocking foreign corporate investment in the Western Hemisphere

Philippine Declaration of Independence (1898)

Filipinos declared independence, but the U.S. refused to recognize it

Battle of Manila Bay (May 1, 1898)

U.S. naval victory over Spain, beginning U.S. control in the Philippines

Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of Filipino nationalist resistance against U.S. occupation

Philippine–American War (1899–1902)

Conflict between U.S. forces and Filipino nationalists over independence

Filipino Guerilla Resistance

Tactics used by Filipino fighters throughout 1899–1900

Controversy Over U.S. Motives

U.S. claimed it aimed to “uplift and Christianize” Filipinos despite harsh military actions

Anti‑Imperialist League

Group formed in the U.S. criticizing imperialism in Cuba and the Philippines

U.S. Emerges as Imperial Power

By early 1900s, U.S. held overseas territories and pursued global influence