Focus on imperialism and empire building during the late 19th century.
Inclusion of key events and objectives shaping U.S. expansion.
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Learning Objectives
Understand U.S. empire growth starting in the West.
Initial influence in both Atlantic and Pacific Islands.
U.S. expansion driven by the U.S.-Mexico War precedes efforts to exert power farther afield.
Analyze the role of the Spanish-American War in shaping the U.S. global identity.
The U.S. historically was not viewed as a significant global power until late in the 19th century.
Examine how both military and economic ambitions lead to U.S. imperialism.
Key Concepts
Definitions and Debates on Empire Building
The notion of empire involves exerting control over territories that are not integral to the mother country, exploring the exterritorial ambitions of nations.
Historical context highlights U.S. motivations rooted in earlier territorial growth, particularly during the U.S.-Mexico War.
U.S.-Mexico War (1846-1848)
Background
Aimed to expand U.S. geographical boundaries inwardly and outwardly.
Indicative of long-standing ambition under the concept of Manifest Destiny.
Important Events
Conflict began in 1846 pushing U.S. governance into former Mexican territories (Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico).
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ceded significant territories from Mexico to the U.S., establishing the Rio Grande as the border.
Significance
Departure point for consideration of U.S. as an becoming empire.
Initiated debates on further territorial conquests, foreshadowing involvement in other regions.
Spanish-American War (1898)
Prelude
Economic interests in Cuba amid Cuban revolts against Spain.
The rise of yellow journalism rallied public opinion for intervention.
Key Figures
President William McKinley reluctant to engage in war but ultimately led to military action following the USS Maine incident.
Events of the War
Quick victory for the U.S. militarily led to the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines after the Treaty of Paris.
Major Consequences
Transition of the U.S. from an extant nation to an imperial power.
Initiated the debate on the implications of American imperialism.
Major Themes
U.S. Imperialism
Discussions centered around the dichotomy between Democratic Republic values and expansionist desires often led to tension among policymakers.
Perspectives:
Expansionists emphasized the need to establish a naval presence and new markets.
Anti-imperialists argued that empire building contradicted American values of liberty.
Internal Conflict
The U.S. employed military force in the Caribbean and Central America under Roosevelt's vision of manifest destiny transformed into explicit imperialism.
The Philippines Conflict
Resistance to U.S. Rule
Transition from liberator to conqueror as Filipinos resisted American dominance.
Guerrilla warfare ensued from 1899 to 1902 resulting in significant casualties.
Moral and Ethical Implications
Atrocities committed by U.S. forces compared to those previously denounced in Spanish actions.
Revealed the complexities and contradictions of American foreign policy motivations.
Roosevelt Corollary and Panama Canal
Roosevelt's foreign policy heavily focused on the Caribbean and Central America.
The U.S. asserted the right to intervene in Latin American affairs under the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
Panama Canal
Revolution supported by the U.S. facilitated American control while reinforcing naval capabilities.
Revolutionized American economic interactions by reducing travel times and bolstering economic opportunities in Asia.
Conclusion: The U.S. and Global Positioning
Debate continues regarding America's role as an empire versus a democracy.
By the early 20th century, the U.S. became a pivotal power, engaged in both imperial pursuits and advocating for global stability.
The dichotomy between freedom versus control remains a recurring theme in U.S. foreign policy discourse.
Discussion Prompts
Consider the implications of the U.S.'s newfound global power on democratic ideals.
Discuss connections between U.S. foreign policy in the late 19th century and current geopolitical strategies.