Imperialism and Progressivism Summary

Imperialism and Progressivism (1895-1914)

Unit Overview

  • Industrialization led to significant changes in the role of the U.S. government.
  • Shift from isolationism and laissez-faire to greater involvement in foreign affairs and ensuring public welfare.
  • Imperialism: Stronger nations dominating weaker ones.
  • Progressivism: Movement to reform the government, regulate the economy, and ensure the welfare of the people.
  • Key Presidents:
    • William McKinley (R - 1896 – 1901)
    • Theodore Roosevelt (R – 1901-1908)
    • William H. Taft (R – 1908 -1912)
    • Woodrow Wilson (D – 1912 – 1920)

Spanish American War (1898)

  • Cuban Revolution (1895) and Spanish response.
  • U.S. intervention was influenced by:
    • Yellow Journalism (Pulitzer, Hearst).
    • De Lome Letter, USS Maine.
  • War Declaration: April 25, 1898.
  • "Splendid Little War" - Armistice on August 12th.
  • Outcomes:
    • Cuba: Independence (Platt Amendment).
    • Puerto Rico, Guam annexed to US.
    • Philippines: U.S. occupation and war (1898-1901).

American Imperialism in the Pacific

  • Increased U.S. interest in the Pacific due to the Spanish American War.
  • Desire for bases, markets, and trading partners.
  • Key Events:
    • Japan: Matthew Perry (1854).
    • Russo-Japanese War: Theodore Roosevelt's involvement, Great White Fleet (1904).
    • Alaska: Seward’s Folly (1867).
    • Hawaii: Annexation due to sugar and fruit plantations, Pearl Harbor (1898).
    • China: Open Door Policy (1898), Boxer Rebellion.

American Imperialism in Latin America

  • U.S. presidents aimed to expand influence in the Americas.
  • Theodore Roosevelt: Big Stick Diplomacy, Roosevelt Corollary (international police force).
  • William Howard Taft: Dollar Diplomacy.
  • Woodrow Wilson: Moral Diplomacy.
  • Puerto Rico: Foraker Act (1900), Jones Act (1917).

Debate Over Imperialism

  • Arguments For:
    • Social Darwinism and Anglo-Saxonism.
    • Nationalism and competition.
    • Economic benefits (markets, resources).
    • Naval bases.
  • Arguments Against:
    • Contradicted American ideals.
    • Anti-American sentiment overseas.
    • Led to violence.

The People’s Party (Populists)

  • Agrarian Revolt: Addressed Debt, Drought, Deflation.
  • Economic Factors: Overproduction, Railroads, Monopolies, Tariffs.
  • Platform: Government Warehouses, Abolition of National Bank and Free Coinage of Silver, Regulation of Railroads, Graduated Income Tax, Direct Election of Senators.
  • Election of 1892: James B. Weaver as presidential candidate.

The Election of 1896

  • Republicans: William McKinley (Conservative).
  • Democrats: William Jennings Bryan (Cross of Gold Speech).
  • Populist Party endorsed Bryan, which divided the party.
  • Role of third parties: force major parties to adopt new ideas

Causes of Progressivism

  • Gilded Age conditions and the need for reforms.
  • Middle Class seeking reforms.
  • Women active in moral reforms and settlement movements.
  • Labor Movement seeking better conditions.
  • Economic Factors: Poverty, Economic Swings (Panic of 1893).

Causes of Progressivism: Muckrakers

  • Journalists exposing societal problems.
  • Examples:
    • Upton Sinclair: The Jungle
    • Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives
    • Lincoln Steffens: The Shame of the Cities
    • Ida Tarbell: Standard Oil

The Progressive Movement

  • Urban movement led by educated middle-class Americans and active women.
  • Grew from local to state and then national level.
  • Goals:
    • End Political Corruption
    • Regulate Business
    • Promote Social Welfare

The Progressive Movement: Politics

  • Changes designed to empower the people.
  • State and Local: City Manager Systems, Secret Ballots, Direct Primaries.
  • National Changes:
    • 17th Amendment: Direct Election of Senators.
    • 19th Amendment: Woman Suffrage.

The Progressive Movement: Social and Economic

  • State and Local Changes: Child Labor Laws, Workingman’s Compensation, Minimum Wage, Building and Safety Codes, Temperance.
  • National Changes:
    • Theodore Roosevelt: 3 C’s (Control of Corporations, Consumer Protection, Conservation), Square Deal, Trustbuster.
    • William H. Taft: Antitrust Cases, Mann Elkins Act, Children’s Bureau.
    • Taft faced the Ballinger-Pinchot Dispute, and other progressive reforms.

Election of 1912

  • Republican Convention split: Taft (Old Guard) vs. Roosevelt (Progressive/Bull Moose Party).
  • Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) won.

The Progressive Movement: Social and Economic (Wilson)

  • Woodrow Wilson: New Freedom.
  • Triple Wall of Privilege: Tariffs, Banks, and Trusts.
  • Reforms:
    • Underwood – Simmons Tariff – 16th Amendment – Income Tax
    • Federal Reserve Act
    • Clayton Antitrust Act and Federal Trade Commission
    • Workman’s Compensation, Adamson Act
    • 18th Amendment - Prohibition

Minorities and the Progressive Movement

  • Women: Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
  • 19th Amendment: Women's Suffrage.
  • African Americans: Largely ignored by the Progressive movement.
  • Key Figures: Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, Ida B. Wells.
  • Organizations: NAACP, National Urban League.
  • Guinn v. United States: Grandfather Clauses unconstitutional.

The Environmental Movement

  • Rapid development and exploitation of the West.
  • Naturalists (Preservationists): John Muir, Sierra Club.
  • Conservationists: Gifford Pinchot, Intelligent Use.
  • Theodore Roosevelt: Conservationist and Naturalist, Newlands Reclamation Act.
  • National Park System and United States Forest Service.