The Spanish American War

Imperialism

Imperialism

A policy or practice of controlling a foreign territory or people through acquisition on political, economic, or cultural domination

• The U.S. practices the last two mostly

Manifest Destiney

American imperialism began with westward expansion, Americans were destined to expand west to bring their culture cuz Native Americans were savages who weren’t using the land properly

• Divine purpose → divine right by God to expand, White folk are his chosen people

The Monroe Doctrine

U.S. foreign policy that warned European powers against further colonization or interference in the Western Hemisphere

• when something was going on in the western hemisphere, america had the right to intervene if it affected them)

Hawaii

The island had a monarchy with a king, in 1875, the king signed a reciprocity treaty with the U.S. allowing a U.S. military base in Hawaii

• The Hawaiian League’s new constitution reduced the kings power as he was forced to sign it

• In 1893, the Queen created a new constitution giving her and her people more power, businessmen did not like this so they got the marines/navy to overthrow the monarchy

• She advocated the throne and a provisional government was created under Sanford B. Dole

The Hawaiian League

In 1887, the Hawaiian League, a secret organization created by Dole and Thurston for American and European businessmen, sought to abolish the Hawaiian monarchy and annex the kingdom of Hawaii to the U.S.

• they drafted a new constitution that reduced the kings power, increased power of the legislature, allowed non-citizens to vote, and made it difficult for natives to vote 

The Black Legend

A form of anti-Spanish and anti- catholic propaganda that criticized Spanish colonial interaction with natives in the new world

Yellow Journalism

Takes over the Black Legend, news that actually happened just exaggerated, stories of what the Spanish are doing that are taken out of context or keep crucial parts out to paint Spain as evil

• villainized the Spanish and other European nations while heroically portraying the actions of America intervention abroad

• Created by Pultizer and Heart’s journalism rivalry 

The Spanish American War

After Spain instilled a dictator in Cuba Mckinley was pressured to protect American economic interest in the region

• The Spanish minister spoke of Mckinely as weak and in 1896 while the U.S.S. Maine sat on the dock of havanna Cuba, to protect American investors, it exploded and sank killing 260 men (got blamed on the Spanish)

• Americans desired to prove their superiority (won the war) 

Teller Amendment 

The U.S. would not permanently annex Cuba, they’ll just have control over Cuban law (the us pres. is able to veto laws in cuba)

Platt Amendment (1901)

Established the conditions for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Cuba after the Spanish-American War

• the U.S. was granted the right to intervene in Cuban affairs and allowed for a U.S. naval base (Guantanamo Bay)

U.S. Philippine War

The Philippines was controlled by Spain so when the U.S. intervened they were supportive as the U.S. was seen as rescuing the Philippians from Spain

• However, the Philippines was not given sovereign recognition and revolutionary Aguinaldo led an insurgency against the U.S.

• The war lasted until 1902 with U.S. victory, the Philippians is under U.S. control until 1934 indirectly but officially in 1996 cuz of Japan

• Philippines receive a non citizen us nationality status 

Emilio Aguinaldo

A revolutionary who defeated the Spanish and fought the U.S. after they failed to give sovereignty to the Philippines

• Aguinaldo sent flyers to soldiers asking to desert the American army to join the Phillipino cause (some White and African Americans joined the cause, but it only led to distrust among AA soldiers)

Treaty of Paris (1898, McKinley)

Officially ended the Spanish-American War by having Spain cede Puerto Rico, Guam, and sell the Philippines for $20 mill

Open Door Policy

A policy that ensured equal trading rights for all countries in China and the pacific, preventing any single nation from monopolizing commerce

• Expanded American influence in Asia

Spheres of Influence

Regions where a dominant power exerts significant political, economic, or cultural control over a less powerful nation without direct territorial annexation

Economic Imperialism

A nations control over another primarily through economic means to gain access to resources, markets, and labor 

• The ability to command economic influence in South East Asia and the pacific was crucial to American interest

White Man'‘s Burden

A racial concept which argued that Western powers had a moral duty to colonize and civilize non-white societies

• justification for imperialism, American needed to help Caribbean and Pilipino people

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign and anti-imperialist uprising in China, with the goal of expelling foreigners and their influence from China