Imperialism and the War with Spain

Overview of the Class and Quiz Information

• Quiz scheduled for next Tuesday covering:

  • This week's class material

  • Previous Tuesday's class material

  • Chapters Five and Six of "Constructing the American Past"

• Notification of quiz grades sent to students' D2L email accounts

• Emphasis on transitioning from domestic affairs to foreign policy

Introduction to America's Foreign Affairs

• Focus: America's war with Spain in 1898

• Key Date: 1898

• Outcome of the Spanish-American War:

  • United States acquired an overseas empire

  • First time the U.S. became an imperial power

  • Territory included: Caribbean islands and the Philippines

• Historical context illustrated by a political cartoon:

  • Contrast between American territory in 1798 and 1898

  • In 1798: Territory from the Eastern Seaboard to the Mississippi

  • In 1898: Expansion to include islands in the Caribbean and the Philippines

• Agreement among historians on 1898 as a pivotal moment, though interpretations vary:

  • Some view war as aberrant behavior, a departure from anti-imperialism

  • Others see it as a culmination of growing American assertiveness and interest in overseas matters

• Preferred Interpretation:

  • War with Spain and imperialism reflect a natural growth in America's foreign relations

Factors Prompting U.S. Expansionism

• Shift towards looking outward post-Civil War

• Three Driving Factors for A Growing Interest in Overseas Expansion:

  1. Economic Factors

     • Need for access to foreign markets to sell surplus goods

     • Industrialization resulted in increased production with surpluses that needed markets

     • Fear of economic stagnation if overseas markets were not secured

     • Quote from a politician:

     • "American factories are making more than the American people can use. American soil is producing more than Americans can consume. Fate has written our policy for us. The trade of the world must and shall be ours."

     • Fascination with trade prospects in Asia, particularly with China (population of 400 million)

  2. Strategic Motives

     • Competition among European powers for colonies in Asia and Africa

     • U.S. concerns over being left out of global territorial claims

     • Anxiety over potential foreign domination of weak nations like China

     • Need to secure territories to be perceived as a major world power

  3. Ideological Motives

     • Cultural beliefs rooted in the notion of American exceptionalism; a mission to spread American civilization

     • Connection to Manifest Destiny and past beliefs regarding America's role in the world

     • Excerpt from Senator Albert Beveridge's speech:

     • Reflects the perspective that Americans were chosen to spread liberty

     • Racial elements of these ideologies; framing other nations as needing American guidance

Imperialists versus Anti-Imperialists

• Illustrative political cartoons from the period:

  • Metaphor of cleaning portrayed in cartoons, suggesting a civilizing mission

  • Uncle Sam depicted as a caregiver assisting 'savage' populations in reaching civilization

• Debate on America's role in relation to less developed nations:

  • Comparison of U.S. imperialism to European colonial missions and the duty to civilize non-white peoples

The Flashpoint: Cuban Rebellion

• Cuba as a Spanish colony in the 1890s planning for independence

• 1895: Rebellion by Cuban nationalists against Spanish rule

  • Results in widespread violence and numerous civilian casualties (approximately 200,000 Cubans died due to conflict)

• Growing American concern over the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, leading to public pressure for intervention

• President William McKinley's role:

  • Portrayed as weak and pressured into war, but historical records show he was actively applying diplomatic pressure on Spain

  • The sending of USS Maine as a show of force, intended to encourage Spanish concessions

  • Explosion of the USS Maine (February 1898) blamed on Spanish aggression, though likely caused by mechanical failure

• Ultimatum issued by McKinley to Spain:

  • Grant Cuba independence under American supervision or face war

  • Spanish refusal to accept ultimatum leads to U.S. declaration of war in April 1898

The War and Its Short Duration

• The Spanish-American War lasted only a couple of months

• Key battles occurred in the Caribbean and the Philippines:

  • U.S. military efforts focused on Cuba due to island's proximity

  • Notable engagement included Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders gaining fame

• Naval battle in the Philippines leading to a decisive U.S. victory against the weakened Spanish fleet

• Aftermath: U.S. acquired various territories, including Puerto Rico and the Philippines

Policy on Newly Acquired Territories

Cuba

• McKinley's decision against full independence for Cuba:

  • Belief that Cubans were incapable of self-rule

  • U.S. chose to exercise indirect control over Cuban governance

  • Establishment of Guantanamo Bay as a military base

  • Criticism from Cubans viewing this as a betrayal of their fight for independence

Philippines

• Unlike Cuba, Philippines posed a dilemma of governance due to distance

• Major debate in the U.S. over whether to grant independence or establish colonial control

• Arguments for colonial control included:

  • Strategic location for access to Asian markets and involvement in the region

  • Concerns that failure to govern would allow other powers to seize the islands

  • McKinley's belief in American responsibility to civilize Filipinos, framing it as a burden of superiority

Conclusion and Implications of 1898

• Marking America’s transition to a modern global power with lasting implications for foreign policy

• The ongoing debates on imperialism, race, and self-determination highlighted during this period.

• The acquisition of territories endorsed a shift towards a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy that would continue into the 20th century.

Final Remarks

• Recap of the significance of the Spanish-American War and its outcomes

• Encouragement for questions and dialogues on future classes on American foreign relations and implications of imperialism in history.