Imperialism

Unit 7 - Period 7: 1890-1945

Topic 7.1 Contextualizing Period 7

Learning Objective: Explain the context in which America grew into the role as a world power.Time Span: 1890 to 1945

• The transition from horses and buggies to automobiles and airplanes marked significant technological advances, facilitating faster communication and transportation. This shift paved the way for increased commerce and interaction both domestically and internationally.

• During this period, the United States participated in two world wars, experiencing monumental societal changes and economic upheavals. The Great Depression (1929-1939) resulted in widespread job loss and economic despair but also led to significant governmental reforms and social safety nets.

• By 1945, the U.S. emerged as a leading global power due to its economic strength and military capabilities.

Economic Growth:

• The U.S. surpassed Great Britain as the leading industrial power by 1890, which was pivotal for its emergence as a world power.

• The nation shifted from a rural agricultural economy characterized by small farms to a robust urban industrial economy marked by large factories and a significant labor force.

• The growth of large corporations led to cycles of economic booms and busts, culminating in the Great Depression, highlighting the volatility of industrial capitalist economies.

Stability and Democracy

Progressive Era & New Deal:

• The Progressive Era focused on addressing economic instability and corruption, prompting reforms such as:

  • The creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913, aimed at stabilizing the economy and providing a flexible money supply.

  • Election reforms, including the direct election of U.S. senators through the Seventeenth Amendment (1913), enhancing democratic representation.

  • Women's suffrage was a landmark achievement, culminating in the Nineteenth Amendment (1920), granting women the right to vote and promoting gender equality.

• The New Deal emerged as a response to the Great Depression, establishing a welfare state designed to address widespread unemployment and poverty.

  • Key components included the Social Security Act (1935), which provided financial assistance to the elderly, disabled, and unemployed, along with the establishment of numerous agencies aimed to regulate banks and the stock market.

  • This period also saw the ideological emergence of American liberalism, which influenced political discourse and policies.

Conflicts in Culture and Society

Cultural Shifts:

• The expansion of pop culture through mass media, particularly radio and motion pictures, transformed entertainment and communication, shaping public opinion and cultural norms.

• Conflicting cultural values arose around issues such as education, religion, and the teaching of science, notably with debates surrounding evolution versus creationism.

• The era witnessed a surge in immigration, which sparked heated debates over national identity and immigration policies. This included the Immigration Act of 1924, which set quotas that drastically limited immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.

• A resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan during this time targeted various groups, including African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and immigrants, reflecting racial and ethnic tensions in society.

Shifts in Foreign Relations

Historical Context:

• The era of imperialism and the world wars sparked significant debates regarding the role of the U.S. on the global stage.

• Following the Spanish-American War, territorial acquisitions raised questions about America's commitments to freedom, self-determination, and whether it would impose its values abroad.

• Disagreements erupted concerning participation in World War I and the subsequent rejection of the League of Nations, largely influenced by isolationist sentiments.

• However, World War II ultimately solidified America's position as a global power, leading to the establishment of the United Nations (1945) and a pivotal commitment to collective security to prevent future global conflicts.

Analyze the Context

Federal Government's Role in Economy (1890-1945):

• There was a marked increase in federal government intervention necessary to stabilize the economy and address the crises resulting from market fluctuations and the Great Depression.

United States' Role in World Affairs (1890-1945):

• The progression from isolationism to active global involvement characterized this period, as the U.S. transitioned from a national focus to adopting a more engaged role in international affairs, establishing itself as a world power.

Landmark Events: 1890-1950

• 1890: U.S. becomes the leading industrial power.

• 1898: Spanish-American War begins, signaling the U.S. burgeoning imperial ambitions.

• 1901: Theodore Roosevelt becomes president, implementing significant domestic policies and assertive foreign policies.

• 1917: U.S. enters WWI, marking its arrival as an engaged global power.

• 1920: Women gain the right to vote through the Nineteenth Amendment.

• 1924: Restrictive Immigration Quota Law enacted, reflecting growing nativism.

• 1929: Great Depression begins, dramatically affecting the U.S. and global economies.

• 1941: U.S. enters WWII, directly impacting the outcome of the global conflict.

• 1945: WWII ends, setting the stage for the U.S.'s role in post-war reconstruction and international relations.

Topic 7.2 Imperialism: Debates

Learning Objective: Explain attitudes about the nation's proper role in the world.

Historical Background:

• U.S. foreign policy since 1790 primarily focused on westward expansion and the protection of national interests.

• The post-Civil War era was marked by increasing American interest in overseas trade and the acquisition of foreign territories.

Expansion after the Civil War

• William H. Seward: Served as Secretary of State and was a key figure in promoting American expansionism, most notably through the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. He also sought to annex Hawaii, though this was met with considerable opposition in Congress.

Economic Interests

• The changing global economy heightened the demand for foreign resources and markets, particularly among industrialists and agrarian sectors eager to expand market opportunities.

Political & Military Power

• Alfred Thayer Mahan: His advocacy for naval expansion was influential in shaping U.S. military strategy to secure foreign markets. By 1900, the U.S. Navy had become the third largest in the world, reflecting the nation's growing military capabilities and assertiveness.

Opposition to Imperialism

• Opposition to imperialism stemmed from various sources, including:

  • A belief in self-determination for all peoples.

  • Rejection of the racial theories that justified imperialism and a general preference for isolationism.

  • Concerns about the financial costs associated with maintaining an empire.

Latin America

• The Monroe Doctrine established the U.S.'s commitment to protecting Latin America from European imperialism and interference.

• Pan-American Diplomacy: This initiative promoted cooperation among North and South American republics, supporting a framework for diplomatic relations in the region.

• Cleveland and Olney: Asserted U.S. interests in Latin America, notably through intervention in the Venezuela boundary dispute, demonstrating an unexpected assertiveness in foreign policy.

Topic 7.3 The Spanish-American War and U.S. Foreign Policy to 1917

Learning Objective: Explain causes and effects of the Spanish-American War.

Cuban Nationalism:

• The rise of Cuban nationalism ignited U.S. interest due to American investments in Cuba and a desire to intervene against Spanish colonial rule due to humanitarian concerns.

Causes of the War

• The war was fueled by several influences, including:

  • Jingoism, where nationalistic fervor pushed for war.

  • Economic interests, as American businesses sought to protect their investments in Cuba.

  • Humanitarian concerns over the oppressive Spanish response to Cuban nationalists.

  • The sensationalist reporting known as Yellow Journalism heightened public outrage and support for intervention.

  • Events like the De Lôme Letter, which insulted President McKinley, and the explosion of the USS Maine catalyzed public sentiment for war.

Fighting the War

• The U.S. secured quick victories in both the Philippines and Cuba, leading to an expedited conclusion of hostilities.

  • Notable events included Commodore Dewey's decisive victory at Manila Bay and the successful charge of the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

• The Treaty concluded the war, resulting in several significant outcomes:

  • Recognition of Cuban independence from Spain.

  • The U.S. acquired territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, spurring debates on U.S. imperialistic intentions versus its proclaimed principles of democracy.

Legacy of the Spanish-American War

• The war confirmed the United States as a global power, leading to new foreign policy directions.

  • The Open Door Policy established by Secretary of State John Hay emphasized fair and equitable trade access in China, reflecting America's interest in maintaining its influence internationally.

  • Theodore Roosevelt's policies illustrated a willingness to engage in global affairs, epitomized by the construction of the Panama Canal and the proactive coastal interventions in Latin America, setting a precedent for future U.S. foreign policy endeavors.