SS Notes 4.7.26

ANTO MINGO BIG STICK American Foreign Policy 1865-1917

IMPERIALISM

  • Definition of imperialism: acquiring territory or gaining control over the political or economic life of other countries.

  • Historical context: The term was widely discussed within the American press as early as 1798, emphasizing the reach of the U.S. empire across vast distances ("ten thousand miles from tip to tip" - Philadelphia Press).

  • Motivations for imperialism:

    • Needed worldwide markets for growing industrial and agricultural surpluses.

    • Sought sources of raw materials for manufacturing industries.

    • Gaining overseas territories could distract the populace from labor violence and farmer unrest.

    • Politicians allied with businesses that sought more markets, leading to governmental support for imperialist actions.

INTERNATIONAL/SOCIAL DARWINISM

  • Concept described as the survival of the fittest applied to nations.

  • Belief that the U.S. must demonstrate strength by acquiring overseas territories.

WHITE MAN'S BURDEN

  • Idea that Westerners had a Christian duty to bring their "superior" civilization to less fortunate peoples of the world.

  • Originated from Kipling’s poem "White Man's Burden."

OPPOSITION TO IMPERIALISM

  • Anti-Imperialist League led by William Jennings Bryan opposed the idea of imperialism.

STEPS TO BECOMING A WORLD POWER

  • Commodore Matthew Perry was commissioned by President Millard Fillmore to persuade Japan to open trade by demonstrating U.S. naval power:

    • 1853-1854: Perry visited Japan.

  • Treaty signed in 1854 with the Tokugawa Shogunate:

    • Ended Japan’s policy of national seclusion.

    • Opened ports to American ships and ensured American safety in Japan.

  • Context of the U.S. actions:

    • Napoleon III's occupation of Mexico (1865) during the U.S. Civil War;

    • Secretary of State William Seward invoked the Monroe Doctrine to threaten military action, leading to the French withdrawal.

SEWARD'S FOLLY

  • In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

  • Initially referred to as "Seward’s Folly" due to the perceived lack of value in the land.

ALFRED T. MAHAN

  • Published "The Influence of Sea Power" highlighting the need for a strong navy to secure world markets and assert U.S. power.

  • Resulted in Congress funding the construction of steel ships and acquiring territories like Samoa for supply stations.

  • By 1900, the U.S. had the 3rd largest navy in the world.

HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION

  • In 1893, American settlers overthrew Queen Liliuokalani.

  • Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898 and a state in 1959.

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (April to August 1898)

CAUSES:

  • Jingoism: An intense form of nationalism advocating for an aggressive foreign policy.

  • Cuban Revolt: Nationalists revolted against Spanish colonial rule, leading to U.S. involvement.

    • U.S. and Spanish plantations were destroyed, leading Spain to send 100,000 troops under General Weyler to suppress the revolt.

  • Yellow Press: Sensational journalism by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst promoted war fervor through exaggerated stories about Spanish atrocities.

  • De Lome Letter (1898): A leaked letter from Spanish diplomat Dupuy de Lome criticizing President McKinley, contributing to rising tensions.

  • Sinking of the USS Maine: February 1898, the battleship sank in Havana Harbor, killing 260 and escalating calls for war against Spain.

CONGRESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

  • President McKinley's war message to Congress demanded a ceasefire in Cuba and restoration of peace.

  • April 20, 1898: The Teller Amendment stated that the U.S. could not establish permanent control over Cuba, corresponding with Congressional declaration of war.

MAJOR EVENTS DURING SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

  1. Philippines:

    • Theodore Roosevelt ordered a fleet under Commodore Dewey to engage Spanish forces in the Philippines.

    • May 1, 1898: The fleet opened fire on Spanish ships in Manila Bay.

    • August 13, 1898: American forces captured Manila with the help of Filipino rebels.

  2. Cuba:

    • June 1898: U.S. volunteer forces landed in Cuba, engaging Spanish forces.

    • Significant deaths from disease (around 5,000) outnumbered combat fatalities (about 500).

    • The Battle of San Juan Hill: A notable cavalry charge by the Rough Riders, led by Roosevelt.

    • July 3, 1898: The Spanish navy was destroyed at Santiago Bay leading to Spain’s surrender.

TREATY OF PARIS (December 10, 1898)

  • Resulted in:

    • Recognition of Cuban independence.

    • U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico and Guam.

    • U.S. payment of $20 million for the Philippines, stirring debates about U.S. involvement in Asian affairs.

AFTERMATH OF THE WAR

  • U.S. emerged as a colonial and global power, signaling the end of Spain's 400-year empire.

  • Increased anti-Catholic sentiments in the U.S. due to Spain's Catholic background.

  • Greater cordiality emerged in U.S.-British relations.