TP 7.1 - 7.3 (Age of Imperialism)

Becoming a World Power

Time Period 7.1 - 7.3

• Overview of the United States' rise as a world power, marked by its economic, military, and cultural influence on a global scale.

The Age of Imperialism

• Defined as the expansion of an empire, characterized by one country exerting political, economic, and cultural control over another.

• Key features include:

  • Sovereignty and indirect control mechanisms.

  • Cultural imposition on indigenous nations.

  • Little to no movement of citizens to the controlled territory.

• The U.S. entered the imperialist stage later than other nations, with notable events during the McKinley, Roosevelt, and Taft administrations including:

  • Annexation of Hawaii (1898)

  • Acquisition of Puerto Rico and the Philippines post-Spanish-American War.

  • Construction of the Panama Canal.

Definition of Imperialism

• Political and economic control by one power over another.

  • Considered "empire building."

  • Often enforced by force with a cultural assimilation effect.

  • Differentiates from colonialism primarily in the minimal population movement.

Key Events and Figures

The U.S. Opens the Door to Japan (1855)

• President Millard Fillmore and Commodore Matthew Perry initiated the opening of Japan, ending over 200 years of isolation.

• Treaty of Kanagawa features:

  • Protection for American sailors.

  • Japanese ports provided resources for American ships.

  • Establishment of an American consulate in Japan.

American Imperialism

• Goals:

  1. Economic expansion (need for raw materials, new markets, cheap labor).

  2. Military might (support for a strong naval presence).

  3. Cultural influence via Social Darwinism and scientific racism.

• Notable Advocates:

  • Henry Cabot Lodge: Senate Majority Leader and imperialist.

  • Commodore Matthew Perry: Key figure in opening Japan.

  • William Seward: Strong supporter of American territorial expansion, including Alaska.

Early Imperialism

• Alaska Purchase (1867):

  • Acquired from Russia for $7.2 million, known as "Seward's Folly."

  • Significant in establishing a framework for further U.S. expansion.

• Hawaii (1893-1898):

  • Economic interests and military strategic importance led to tensions and eventual annexation despite initial opposition.

The Open Door Policy (1899)

• Aimed at securing equal trading rights in China through negotiations led by Secretary of State John Hay.

• Helped avoid being locked out of spheres of influence; claimed a diplomatic victory although no other nations responded positively.

Spanish-American War (1898)

Causes of the War

• Events leading to war included:

  • The DeLome Letter, which insulted President McKinley.

  • The explosion of the USS Maine (causing public outrage).

  • Influence of yellow journalism promoting U.S. intervention.

  • Financial investments in Cuban sugar plantations heightened U.S. interest.

Insular Cases (Supreme Court Rulings)

• Distinction between incorporated and unincorporated territories post-war, affecting citizens' rights and applicability of the Constitution.

Tagalog Insurgency and Response

• Following Spanish defeat, Filipino expectations for freedom were dashed as the U.S. clashed with Filipinos after Aguinaldo declared independence.

The Progressive Era & Foreign Policy

Teddy Roosevelt, Taft, & Wilson

• Analysis of varying degrees of progressive foreign policy:

  • Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy emphasized military readiness as a means of negotiating power.

  • Taft's Dollar Diplomacy focused on economic investment to secure influence.

  • Wilson's Moral Diplomacy promoted self-determination, though inconsistently applied.

Anti-Imperialist Perspectives

• The Anti-Imperialist League argued for self-determination and against U.S. expansion, reflecting concerns about overreach and loss of American values.

Conclusion

• Overall, the U.S. navigated complex political dynamics during this period, shaping its identity and role as a world power.