The American Journey: A History of the United States. Vol 2 ; Chapter 22- Creating an Empire 

Imperialism- The practice of exploiting nations for the benefit of imperial power through military occupation and colonial rule. 

Roots of Imperialism:-

• From the Civil War until the 1890s, most Americans had little interest in territorial expansion:
  1. Imperial rule seemed inconsistent with America's republican principles
  2. The US did not welcome people with different cultures, languages and religion 

The 3G's= Gold, God and Glory

Why did the US look abroad?

• Americans were urged to build an overseas empire emulating the European model of imperialism - acquire and exploit colonies.
• By the mid 1890s, a shift had taken place in American attitudes toward expansion
• Why? Between 1870 and 1900, the European powers seized 10 million square miles of territory in Africa and Asia. About 150 million people were subjected to colonial rule. 
  
• Others favored a less formal empire where US interests and influence would be ensured through trade and investments. 
• Others advocated a cultural expansionism in which the nation exported its ideals and institutions. 

Ideological And Religious Arguments

• Many leaders provided interlocking ideological arguments for the new imperialism
• Social Darwinists- viewed the competition among nations as a struggle for survival
• Extreme Social Darwinists believed that their superiority gave Americans the right to rule "inferior people"
• John Burgess taught that we were destined to impose our political institution on the rest of the world.

White Man's Burden

• Became a popular expression that carried with it a duty to aid and uplift other people
• "None of the nations asking for help" 

Imperial Ambitions

1. What problems did the US face in the Philippines and what was the outcome? 

   • Emilio Aguinaldo led a revolt against the US trying to establish American control 

     • US had to fight a full scale war to put down the revolt--4x as many men [soldiers] as in Spanish-American War

       • Used brutal measures to control Filipinos 

       • Similar to what Spain had done

   • Anti-Imperialists were outraged and started protesting the war

   • 1902- Had established a colonial government headed by an American governor

     • Filipino involvement was limited

     • Our rule was benign

       • Established new schools and roads, public health system, and an economy tied to the US

2. What are “spheres of influence”? Why did some in the business community reject them?

   • Regions dominated and controlled by an outside power

   • Businesses felt if the market were open and equal the US would dominate but with exclusive spheres of influence it would limit the opportunity to compete.

3. What was the Open Door Policy in China and how was it established?

   • All major colonial powers would have an equal trading privilege in China. 

   • Secretary of State John Hay 1899:

     • No response, except Russia--said NO

     • Boxer Rebellion--Anti-Foreign Chinese

       • In China, Anti-Imperialist

       • Nationalists--Rose up --but put down by powers

     • US took no response as a Yes and promoted this informal and economic empire to gain own personal wealth for the US

4. Why did the Russo-Japanese war start? How did America mediate an outcome?

   • Japan attacked Russia because they were threatened by their possible expansion in Manchuria and Korea

   • Teddy Roosevelt got involved because they were worried a Japanese victory wouldn’t be good for the US either.

   • 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth: Japa won control of Russia’s sphere of influence in Manchuria.

     • Half the Russian island of Sakhalin and recognized its dominance of Korea

     • Teddy Roosevelt made sure neither side was too victorious for US’ sake.

5. What role did the war play in Japanese-American relations?

   • Ruined with Japan

     • Anti-American riots broke out in Tokyo [Japan thought they would have gained a lot more (which they could have!)]

     • 1906: San Francisco: Segregated Asian and white schools

     • Gentlemen’s Agreement: Japan agreed to deny passports to workers and US promised not to prohibit Japanese immigrants completely 

       • Segregated was revoked

6. What did America feel was their role in Latin America?

   • Strict Big Brother: protected against Europe but US economic and political rights came 1st. US often ignored Latin America’s wished and interest

7. Was Puerto Rico given its independence after the Spanish American War?

   • Not freed: US controlled

   • Good: Improved transportation, sanitation and developed public health and education

   • Bad: Not given full political freedom

   • 1917: Given citizenship and greater political rights but still territory. 

     • No promise of statehood

     • Economy taken over by US investors left most Puerto Ricans poor.

8. Was Cuba given its independence after the Spanish American War? What is the Platt Amendment?

   • Cuba: didn’t gain independence as promised

   • Good: Modernized its financial system; built roads and public schools, and developed public health and sanitation programs 

     • Eradicated yellow fever

   • Bad: US stepped up military government and only thought about withdrawing under Democratic pressure

   • 1901: US began removing troops and drafting Constitution but enforced:

     • Platt Amendment: Restricted Cubans autonomy in diplomatic relations and internal financial policies.

       • Required Cuba to lease Naval bases to US  and authorized US intervention to maintain order in China

       • Open Door Policy: Didn't apply in Latin American--US controlled this sphere and would use the military if needed.

9. What 2 obstacles were in the way of the US building a canal in South America?

   • Persuaded Great Britain to renounce its treaty and make joining deal with the US

   • Location: Panama? Nicaragua? 

     • Panama already started by French who bought the rights to the canal and equipment for $40million

10. How did the US eventually gain permission to build in Panama?

    • 1903: offered Colombia $10 million and $250,000 a year for 99 years

    • Colombia rejected it--wanted $40 million 

    • Teddy Roosevelt, French Panamanians, and Philippe Bunau-Varilla [French official of Panama Canal Co.] helped revolt against Colombian government

      • Once overthrown US signed the same deal with Panama

      • Panama because US protectorate until 1939--Latin America was very unhappy with the US

11. Why did Roosevelt need to issue his “corollary” in Latin America and what was the reaction?

    • US could exercise police power to intervene in Latin American internal affairs

    • 1905: Dominican Republic--needed help with debts

      • country in chaos---Great Britain threat

      • Latin America resented the US claim to authority so they created the Drago Doctrine: Prohibiting armed intervention to collect debts.

12. Explain Taft’s policy of Dollar Diplomacy. Who benefited more; America or Latin America?

    • Dollar Diplomacy: Replaced European interest

      • Promoted development and stability. Gain of profits for US bankers

        • “Dollars for bullets”

      • Increased American power and influence in Caribbean countries

      • Tied underdeveloped to US 

      • The US increased trade by 50% but did not help improve conditions in Latin America.

First Steps

1. What role did William Seward play in foreign affairs?

• William Seward put forward a different perspective through his visual understanding of financial opportunities and for the nationwide future. His idea was to expand America by trading and exporting American products to East Asia. This will make America obtain authority over the Caribbean.  In these times in the eyes of the public he had acquired a lot and the expansion was “purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, approved the navy’s occupation of the Midway Island in the Pacific, pushed American trade to reluctant Japan and repeatedly tried to acquire Caribbean naval bases”.

2. What role did James Blaine play in foreign affairs and how did Latin American nations reject his ideas?

• James Blaine also wanted American expansion but he took intense steps. He wanted more expansion in the Pacific and to have the canal in all of Panama to be of the America as also in addition to it the waterways should be theirs too. He also took the control that Latin America should use goods manufactured in America and not from any other country as they were from Europe. Latin Americans refused for this deal and felt that they were pressurized for this and “rejected Blaine’s plan. Instead they supported the establishment of what eventually came to be known as the Pan American Union” (645). They thought this union would be helpful and it also maintained peace.

3. How did the US affect Hawaii’s economy?

• At those times Hawaii was ruled by the native kings or queens, but soon the Americans started capturing over the people’s mind and their impact grew. Britain and France had appealed for Hawaii’s independence but instead it created a new issue which gave power to the white residents. “The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 effectively closed the U.S market to Hawaiian sugar producers, threatening their economic ruin”. 

4. Explain the steps taken by the US to eventually gain control of Hawaii?

• The US started to find every way to gain control of Hawaii.  The American laborers started to take over for the benefit of the United States and first they dethroned the queen who had taken control over the land and people’s mind. They ordered US marines that they wanted control over the Hawaiian government “which did not include any native Hawaiians, went to Washington to draft a treaty”. Nevertheless, they couldn't get senate approval but they didn’t take a step back.

5. What was the Venezuelan Boundary dispute over and why was its resolution significant?

• Great Britain wanted to expand its territory over to the place where Venezuelan Boundary was located. They had to decide a boundary peacefully to avoid any future conflicts with Great Britain. “As war swept the United States, Britain agreed to arbitration recognizing the limited nature of the issue that so convulsed Anglo-American relations”. The resolution was significant because Britain also didn’t want any war or any kind of dispute which would affect two countries' relations.

6. Why was Cuba revolting and how did the Spanish react?

• As the American influence grew more in Cuba, they started to revolt. They also revolted against the ruthless Spanish rule. But later in the year it erupted again, and caused another revolt which this time would control the towns and cities and the Spanish army. Due to the revolt being unstoppable, the Spanish started to reform which created an opposite effect on the Americans that caused them to gain sympathy for the Cubans. Therefore, “the Spanish herded most citizens into reconcentration camps where tens and thousands died of starvation and disease”.

7. Why were Americans so sympathetic to the Cuban rebels?

• The reason why Americans were so sympathetic towards Cuban people was the yellow press article which was published in New York and showed them only one side of the conflict, that Cubans were dealing with a lot of injustice from the Spanish army and the civilians. “Failure to intervene to protect the innocent from Spanish lust and cruelty” . This was an influence created by the yellow press which made Americans feel guilty for their no actions taken to save those Cubans.

8. Name and describe each incident that led the US into war with Spain.

• 1. American advocated intervention- As more of the Cubans were getting tortured the Americans tried to stop the carnage .
• 2.Cuba Disrupt- President McKinley started to ask for the citizens point of view and for later American ventures.
• 3.Cuba’s full independence- the president sent out warning and settlement advice to the Spanish government but it turned out that the Spanish sent a letter saying McKinley as “a weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd” .

9. What terms did the US demand Spain agree to?

• The US wanted peace for the Cubans and didn’t want them to go through any more of the torture. McKinley sent a warning to Spain saying that “demanded an armistice in Cuba, end to recon centration policy, and the acceptance of American arbitration, which implied Cuban independence” . Spain didn’t seem to be agreeing to this easily but if they did not agree to the terms they knew it may create a war and a lot of disruption.

10. Why did McKinley declare war on Spain if they agreed to our terms?

•     McKinley wanted to show off the power of America and also wanted Cuba to be counted under the United States but would let Cuba govern themselves. He had already prepared his naval officer for the war and sent out a permission letter to the Congress “in the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests” . They felt guilty that they couldn’t help out Cuba during the time they got attacked and so this will help in a way for the Cubans as they would be getting complete independence from the Spanish government.