Imperialism and World War 1

officially ended the Spanish-American War, marking the end of Spain's empire in the Americas and the rise of the U.S. as a global power:

• Spain renounced claims to Cuba, ceded Guam and Puerto Rico to the U.S

• and transferred sovereignty over the Philippines for $20 million

Result of Treaty of Paris (Spanish American War)

• The United States public and media blamed Spain for the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine.

• While a U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry in 1898 concluded the ship was destroyed by an external mine

Who was blamed when the U.S.S. Main Blew up?

increase newspaper circulation and boost profits by sensationalizing stories

Goal of Yellow Journalism?

• Economic Protection: A strong navy was required to protect merchant ships and secure vital trade routes to overseas markets.

• Strategic Bases: To maintain that navy, the U.S. needed to acquire coaling stations and colonies (like Hawaii and the Philippines) to refuel and repair ships.

• The "Big Stick": Beyond just pride (nativist pride), a powerful fleet served as a deterrent and a way to project American influence globally.

Alfred T. Mahan and the importance of a navy?

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was killed in Saravejo, Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. This event triggered a "domino effect" of alliances that pulled the major world powers into war.

What triggered WW 1?

Germany used U-boats (Unterseeboot), which would submerge under water (A.K.A submarines) to bypass the British Royal Navy's surface blockade, which was the strongest in the world at the time.

How did Germans get around the British navy ships?

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

M.A.I.N.:

Nations were locked in an arms race, aggressively expanding their armies and navies (influenced by Mahan’s ideas).

M.A.I.N: Militarism

A "web" of secret treaties meant that if one country was attacked, their allies were obligated to join the fight, turning a local dispute into a world war.

M.A.I.N: Alliances

Global powers were competing for colonies and resources in Africa and Asia, leading to constant diplomatic friction.

M.A.I.N: Imperialism

Intense pride in one's country—or the desire for ethnic groups (like the Serbs) to break away from empires—created a "powder keg" in Europe.

M.A.I.N: Nationalism

the primary goal was military mobility: Building the canal dropped that trip to about 5,000 miles, which was crucial for

• A Two-Ocean Navy: It allowed the U.S. to quickly shift its fleet to defend either coast or its new territories like Hawaii and the Philippines

• National Defense: Following Mahan's logic, the U.S. needed to move its "Big Stick" fast to remain a global power

• Trade Efficiency: While the military was the priority, it also made shipping commercial goods between the East and West coasts much faster and cheaper.

What was the main reason why the U.S. was interested in building a canal in Panama?

a secret message from Germany to Mexico that became the final "smoking gun" for the U.S. to enter WWI:

• Germany promised to provide military and financial support for Mexico to reconquer its lost territory (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona)

• if Mexico attacked the U.S. to keep them occupied and out of Europe.

Zimmerman Telegram:

(Quadruple Alliance) Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Ottoman Empire:

• Germany and Austria-Hungary were the original members, entering at the war's outbreak in August 1914

• The Ottoman Empire joined shortly after in October 1914

• Bulgaria was the final member to join, entering the conflict in October 1915

Central Powers (List)

• England (United Kingdom), France, and Russia formed the core "Triple Entente" at the start of the war in 1914

• Italy was originally allied with Germany and Austria-Hungary but switched sides to join the Allies in May 1915 after signing the Treaty of London

• The United States maintained neutrality but supported the Allies with supplies before entering the war as an "associated power" in April 1917, primarily due to Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare

Allies (List):

The resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany in early 1917, which included the sinking of American merchant ships and the denial of freedom of the seas

Most significant cause for U.S. entry into WW1?

President Woodrow Wilson won reelection in 1916 using the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War." He strongly believed the U.S. should serve as a neutral mediator to negotiate a "peace without victory”

Which president wanted the US to remain neutral during WW1?

“ The world must be safe for democracy”

Wilson's famous quote (WW1)

Plane, tanks, poison gas, U-Boats and some more are:

• Machine Guns: Perhaps the most lethal weapon of the war, responsible for the stalemate of trench warfare.

• Heavy Artillery: Long-range cannons (like "Big Bertha") that caused the majority of combat casualties.

• Flamethrowers: First used by German forces to clear out enemy trenches at close range.

• Bolt-Action Rifles: The standard-issue weapon for almost every infantryman (like the British Lee-Enfield or German Mauser).

• Grenades: Essential for "trench dusting" when soldiers finally reached enemy lines.

WW1 weapons (List)

The creation of the League of Nations, an international organization designed to resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than war.

Other key themes included:

• Freedom of the seas (no more submarine warfare issues).

• End to secret treaties (alliances should be open).

• Self-determination (allowing ethnic groups to form their own nations).

• Reduction of armaments (disarmament).

14 Points: Woodrow Wilson'speace plan.

Organization to establish peace and preventing war:

While it successfully settled some minor disputes in the 1920s, it ultimately failed to prevent WWII because it lacked an army, and major powers—including the U.S.—never joined.

League of Nations

• United States: Represented by President Woodrow

• Wilson.Great Britain: Represented by Prime Minister

• David Lloyd George.France: Represented by Prime Minister

• Georges Clemenceau.Italy: Represented by Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando

• Russia was not invited because it had already dropped out of the war

What nations attended the treaty of Versailles following World War I? (List 4)

League of Nations:

The U.S. wasn't okay with another country telling us what to do.

What was the most controversial aspect for the U.S. government when it came to the Treaty of Versailles/ 14 points?

This clause forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for the war.

While the Allies used it as the legal basis to demand reparations, it caused deep national resentment in Germany and became a powerful tool for Nazi propaganda:

War Guilt Clause?

Allied Powers

Germany actually did finish paying off its World War I debt, but it took 92 years.

The final payment of approximately $94 million (70 million euros) was made on October 3, 2010, the 20th anniversary of German reunification.

Reparations: They amounted to 33 billion to the

France (52%), Great Britain (22%), Italy (10%), and Belgium (8%)

The primary recipients of the reparations from Germany were..

• American expansionism shifted from settling the continental West to securing global trade and naval power.

• This transition was largely fueled by the Industrial Revolution, which created a production rate that outpaced what Americans could consume.

Why did Americans promote expansionism in the late 1800's?

In 1893, a group of American businessmen and sugar planters, supported by U.S. Marines, overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Where did the U.S. dispose a Monarch to gain control of their territory? (Hawaii)

The purchase occurred in 1867 and resulted in the assumption of natural resources: energy, gold, fisheries, and critical minerals

Long-term affect of the purchase of Alaska?

The US would protect American assets in foreign countries government would protect business interests ( so essentially a trade-off):

• Investmentnt: The U.S. government encouraged American banks and businesses to invest in "unstable" regions like Latin America and East Asia

• Protection: In return, the U.S. government promised to use its diplomatic and military power to protect those businesses if they were threatened by local revolutions or debt defaults

Dollar Diplomacy

By 1899, European powers (and Japan) were carving China up like a pie into "spheres of influence." The U.S. was late to the game and feared being locked out of the world’s biggest market:

• Trade Equality: Secretary of State John Hay sent notes to the big powers saying, "Everyone should have equal access to Chinese ports." No one could charge higher taxes or railroad rates to other countries.

• Keep China Whole: The U.S. wanted to prevent China from being broken into separate colonies. This wasn't because they were "being nice" to China—it was because a unified China was easier for American businesses to trade with.

Open Door Policy

Monroe Doctrine, keep Europe out.

Roosevelt Corollary was built upon the

Teddy Roosevelt said to show your might in finances, protecting your interests and power

Big Stick Diplomacy (Speak Softly and carry a big stick) TEDDY?

William Taft:

He famously described the policy as "substituting dollars for bullets."

Taft believed that using American financial power to bail out foreign debts and build infrastructure would create stability and keep European rivals away more effectively—and cheaply—than constant war.

Which president is credited with dollar diplomacy?

Military shies through, not to make money:

• Main Goal: Military speed.

• The Problem: Ships took 2 months to sail around South America.

• The Fix: Cut the trip to 10 hours.

• Result: A "Two-Ocean Navy" that could defend both coasts quickly.

• Secondary: Faster trade with Asia.

Purpose of building Panama Canal/

Colombia originally owned the land, but they refused the U.S. offer to build the canal.

In response, President Theodore Roosevelt supported a Panamanian revolution by sending U.S. warships to block Colombian troops. Panama won its independence, and the new government immediately gave the U.S. control of the Canal Zone.

Who did Panama gain independence from prior to the canal being built?

Money: Least Important: Direct Profit (it wasn't built as a business venture).

Least important reason for construction of the canal?

• Top Reason: Military Defense (moving the Navy between oceans quickly)

• Secondary Reason: Trade Efficiency (faster shipping to Asia).

The sinking of the USS Maine on February 15, 1898, was the final spark that ignited the Spanish-American War:

• The Event: A massive explosion destroyed the ship in Havana Harbor, Cuba, killing 260–268 Navy Men were blown up or drowned

• The incident pushed the U.S. into war, leading to a swift victory and the acquisition of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

U.S.S Maine