Spanish-American War and U.S. Imperialism Overview

Democratic Convention of 1912

  • Wilson's Nomination

    • Wilson attends the Democratic Convention in 1912.
    • It is a crowded field of candidates; the nomination process goes through 46 different ballots.
    • Wilson is finally nominated for president.

  • Acceptance Speech

    • Upon winning the nomination, Wilson delivers his first acceptance speech.
    • Unveils his "new freedom" agenda as a response to Theodore Roosevelt's "new nationalism."

Electoral Results

  • Candidates and Votes

    • Notable candidates include Eugene Debs, who received 6% of the vote.
    • Wilson wins the election with only 42% of the popular vote.
    • He does not win a majority of the vote but claims victory by winning 40 of the 48 states.

  • Democratic Majority

    • The Democratic Party performs better overall, winning majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
    • This allows Wilson to implement his progressive legislative agenda during his first term.

Economic Concerns and Capital Distribution

  • Geographic Distribution of Capital
    • Wilson and the Democrats focus on the South and West for support.
    • Concern over capital concentration in banks and cities of the Northeast, making it harder for farmers nationwide to access necessary capital.

Federal Reserve Act

  • Structure and Function
    • The Federal Reserve system includes 12 regions, each with its own Federal Reserve Bank.
    • All banks in a region must subscribe 6% of their capital to their respective Federal Reserve Bank.

Anti-Trust Regulations

  • Antitrust Legislation
    • Competition in the markets is regulated; for example, a competitor like Nike cannot buy stocks in Adidas.
    • Early antitrust laws date back to the Sherman Antitrust Act, culminating in the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914.

Imperialism in the Early 20th Century

  • American Beliefs on Colonialism

    • By the early 20th century, there was a belief in the U.S. serving as a central colonial superpower, similar to European nations like England and France.
    • Examples of imperialism in Africa highlight how local populations were excluded from decisions.

  • Rudyard Kipling's "White Man's Burden"

    • Illustrates the justification behind imperialism, with the notion that Western powers must civilize other nations.

U.S. Foreign Policy and The Monroe Doctrine

  • Closing of the Frontier

    • The U.S. declared its frontier closed by 1893, demonstrating a shift towards overseas expansion rather than continental.

  • Intervention in the Caribbean

    • Military intervention in territories like Puerto Rico and Cuba was executed often through leveraging debt.
    • Depicted through imagery of Theodore Roosevelt and his foreign policy strategies, emphasizing military presence.

The Spanish-American War (1898)

  • Causes and Context

    • As a demonstration of military intervention, the Spanish-American War became a focal point for U.S. expansionism.
    • The war was provoked by a mix of humanitarian reasons for Cuba's independence and imperial ambitions of the U.S.

  • Cuban and Philippine Involvement

    • Cuba and the Philippines were both Spanish colonies and battlegrounds during the war.
    • U.S. intervention was framed under the banner of promoting self-determination for Cubans but disregarded Filipino aspirations.

  • The Role of the Media

    • Sensationalist journalism by figures such as William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer created a narrative pushing for war, dubbing them "yellow press."
    • They reported on Spanish atrocities, intensifying public outcry and justifying military intervention.

  • The Sinking of the USS Maine

    • The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor escalated tensions.
    • Speculations about the cause fueled demands for war against Spain — exemplified by the rallying cry, "Remember the Maine!"

  • Military Outcomes and Theodore Roosevelt's Role

    • The Spanish-American War concluded with a swift U.S. victory but highlighted the underlying conditions that soldiers faced, including outdated supplies leading to disease.
    • Theodore Roosevelt gained fame as a war hero through his leadership in the Rough Riders.

Post-War and Imperial Justifications

  • The Philippines Post-War Stance
    • Following the war, opinion on annexation shifted, with McKinley's arguments reflecting an imperialistic rationale where self-government was deemed unsuitable for countries like Cuba and the Philippines.
    • The principle of the