Imperialism

Imperialism is the economic and political domination of a strong nation over a weaker one.

American imperialism dates back to the early-1800s when Americans began moving West and claiming lands that Native Americans had occupied.

New motives that the US embarked on the New Manifest Destiny

  • trade into asia and latin america

  • keep up with europe

  • annex strategic islands in the South pacific and caribbean sea; military bases

  • become the trade center of the world

  • build a canal

  • international policemen

  • large naval presence

Anglo-Saxonism is the idea that English-speaking nations had superior characters, ideas, and systems of government and were destined to control other nations.

The United States first engaged in imperialism in Hawaii and the Phillipenes.

Alfred T Mahan was a Naval officer who said a strong navy is vital to be a world power. He encouraged congress to build the first navy.

Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan in 1853 and opened the country to trade with the United States. Japan realizes that they must adopt Western ways due to them being the stronger nation.

Queen Liliuokalani was the only queen and last sovereign monarch before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Business owners from the United States led an overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani and asked to be annexed by the US.

Queen Liliuokalani’s fought for the independence and was against the annexation.

Reasons to Support Imperialism

  • strategic military locations

  • raw materials and markets

  • improved healthcare

  • introduction to organizeed government religion

Reasons Agaisnt Imperilaism

  • disregard if the native culture

  • overseas territories open to attack

  • exploitation of people and resources

  • maintaining military forces to protect oversea interest is costly

Jose Marti was the leader of the Cuban rebellion that brought together Cuban exiles in the US.

Valeriano Weyler was a Spanish general that implemented concentration camps to suppress rebellious Cubans.

Yellow journalism angered many Americans in the Spanish-American war to the point where they got ready for war. It got them emotionally involved in conflict.

The U.S.S. Maine was a U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, leading to the Spanish-American War. It had been sent there to protect American interests during Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain. Though the cause was unclear, many blamed Spain, fueling public outrage and conflict.

Steps leading to the Spanish-American War

  • Cuban Revolt

  • Yellow Journalism

  • USS Maine Explosion

  • US Ultimatm and War Declaration

The Teller Amendment allowed the United States the right to use military or naval force to help Cuba gain its independence

Emilio Aguinaldo was the Philliines’ revolutionary leader. He first fought against Spanish Imperialism. Later, he fought against Americnas.

The Spanish American War was fought in the Cuba and the Phillipenes.

The Rough Riders were led by former Secretary of Navy Theodore Roosevelt. They were heroes at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba.

As a result of Spain losing the Spanish American War, The Treaty of Paris 1898, stated that: Spain must recognize Cuba’s independence. Also, give up Phillpenes, Guam, and Puerto rico to the U.S in return for $20 million dollars.

The Platt Amendment stated:

  • Cuba could not make any treaty with another nation that would weaken its independence

  • Cuba had to let the U.S. lease naval stations in Cuba (bases)

  • Cuba’s debts had to be kept low to prevent foreign countries from landing troops to enforce payment

  • The U.S. had the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence and keep order.

Big stick diplomacy meas that the US shouldn’t provoke other nations, but be ready to show its miltary strength if needed (by showing other nations this, they would think twice before engaging gin conflict, which helped maintain peace without war).

Sphere of influence is A section of a country (China) where a foregin nation enjoys special rights and powers.

The open door policy allowed each foregin nation in china to trade freely in the other  nation’s speres of influence (adopted by the US to open trade with china in the late 1800s).

The chinese in the Boxer Rebellino were revolting against foreign influence.

In the Russo Japanese War, the Japanese were trying to expand into Asia. This led to a war with Russia.  President Teddy Roosevelt settled the conflict by negotiating the Treaty of Portsmouth which recognized Japan’s control in Korea in return for ending its continued push into China.

The Monroe Doctrine states that European nations must stay out of Latin American affairs or be seen as hostile. Such acts would be seen as act of aggression requiring the US to intervene.

The Roosevelt Corollary states that the U.S. would use force to maintain economic and political stability in the “WESTERN HEMISPHERE”

Roosevelt believed that the Panama Canal was important to American power in the world because:

  1. make it quicker to send the US Navy from one side of the world to another

  2. it would shorten the distance for trade

-   Imperialism – economic and political domination of a strong nation over a weaker one

-     Protectorate – country being controlled by a more powerful country

-     Anglo-Saxonism – idea that English-speaking nations had superior  character, ideas, and systems of government and were destined to control other nations

-     Alfred T. Mahan – naval officer who said a strong nation was vital to be a world power

-          Queen Liliuokalani – queen of Hawaii, last sovereign monarch before the overthrow of Hawaii.

-          Jose Marti – leader of the Cuban rebellion

-          Yellow journalism – writing in which they often exaggerated or lied to get readers emotionally involved in conflict

-          USS Maine – battleship that exploded, sent to aid or protect Cuba under Spain’s rule

-          Jingoism – extreme belief that your own country is the best

-          Valeriano weyler – Spanish general, reconcentration policies aimed at Jose Marti and insurrects, implemented concentration camps to suppress Cubans

-          George Dewey – sailed to the Philippines and confronted the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay

-          Rough Riders/San Juan hill – heroes at the battle of San Juan hill in Cuba/ group of tough cowboys, miners, and lawmen, led by the former secretary of the navy-teddy Roosevelt

-          Platt amendment – gave the US extensive control or influence over Cuban affairs

-          Big stick diplomacy – teddy Roosevelt’s belief that the US shouldn’t provoke other nations, but be ready to show its military strength if needed “speak softly but carry a big stick”

-          Emilio Aguinaldo – Philippines revolutionary leader fought first against Spanish imperialism

-          Roosevelt corollary – Roosevelt invoked his big stick policy to expand upon the Monroe doctrine (Latin America)

-          Boxer rebellion – Chinese revolt in late 1800s against foreign influence

-          Sphere of influence – section of a country where a foreign nation enjoys special rights or powers

-          John Hay/Open door policy with China – US Secretary of state/adopted by US to open trade with China

-          Great white fleet – groups of US Navy battleships that traveled around the world to demonstrate growing American military power

-          Panama Canal – vital for US trade, connects Atlantic to pacific ocean

-          Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy – encouraged US to invest in foreign nations, advance US authority and ensure stability