Chapter 7 American Imperialism

Economic Motive for Imperialism

Focused on getting access to foreign markets

Political Motive for Imperialism

America feels pressured into having their own empire caused by Berlin Conference

Social Darwinism

The bigger the empire you have the healthier you look

White Man’s Burden

Whites have the duty to lift up the rest of the world (also used by British)

Missionary Impulse: Josiah Strong

combines the idea of Social Gospel with Social Darwinism, “Whites should help people because they are the best”

William Seward

prioritizes stepping stones to Asia (places to store supplies), 1867 spearhead the purchase of Alaska but made fun of “Seward’s Icebox”

Alfred Mayhand

A naval strategist who believed having a powerful navy is key to having a successful civilization

Hawaii’s Annexation

American planters attracted to sugar production but 1880s tariff was placed on foreign produced sugar, will cause damage to Hawaii economy so plan to take. Sandford Dole staged coup to capture monarch, no immediate annexation by President Cleveland because doesn’t want imperialism, later annexed by President McKinley.

“Yellow Journalism” by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst

exaggerated news. Both will exaggerate the severity of treatment in Cuba

“Reconcentration” Policy

concentration camps by General Weyler used in Cuba to suppress insurrection includes women and children

De Lome Letter

Criticizes the American government, states that McKinley is weak and always does what the people want, a bidder for popular favor.

Destruction of USS Maine

On 1898 February, 260 Americans killed, assume that Spanish did it, cause growing hatred towards Spain. Caused McKinley to go to congress to get declaration of war

Teller Amendment

Declared that the United States would not establish permanent control or sovereignty over Cuba

“That Splendid Little War”

The rough riders led by Theodore Roosevelt fought in battle of San Juan Hill, seen first use of machine guns from both sides and new technology by Spanish. America sails to Phillipines and ambush Spanish led by Dewey. 

Treaty of Paris

US gets territory small island on Guam and Puerto Rico and purchase the Phillipines for 20 million dollars.

Platt Amendment

(1) any foreign treaty needs to be approved by US (2) not allowed to go into debt (3) US have the right to intervene militarily to restore order (4) US gains control of naval bases in Cuba.

Phillipines Rebellion

Emilio Aguinable vs William H. Taft, both sides used guerilla warfare. 5000 americans were killed only 400 killed in combat, the rest by disease.

Open Door Policy (1899)

Europeans trying to establish their sphere, US pressured to issued by Hay to send Open Door Policy letter to gain access trade to China. 

Boxer Rebellion

young Chinese men rising against because they feel like their losing culture. Target any foreign looking (whites) and Chinese who became westernized. Western government send forces to crush the Boxer uprising.

Imperialistic Presidents: McKinley (1897-1901)

Republican, famous for annexing Hawaii, killed by polish anarchist immigrant.

Teddy Roosevelt: Roosevelt Corollary (1904) to the Monroe

Roosevelt's declaration that the U.S. could intervene in Latin American affairs as an "international police power", strengthens Monroe Doctrine

Teddy Roosevelt: Big Stick Diplomacy(1901-1909)

"speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". It meant negotiating peacefully while backed by the threat of military, specifically naval, force. It was used to assert U.S. dominance

Teddy Roosevelt: Great White Fleet 1907

A US Navy expedition in order to project Americans sea power and demonstrate naval strength to the world, especially Japan.

Teddy Roosevelt: Panama

was the driving force behind the construction of the Panama Canal, considering it his most important foreign policy achievement.

Taft (1909-1913) Dollar Diplomacy

aimed to use US economic power to promote American commercial interests in Latin America and East Asia “substituting dollars for bullets” to avoid military conflict.

Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) Moral Diplomacy

no working with corrupted governments