Imperialism
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U.S. Expansion & Imperialism
10.1 – PRESSURE TO EXPAND
- Imperialism: The policy of extending a nation's power through diplomacy or military force to acquire territories.
- What is an Empire?: A group of nations or territories ruled by a single authority.
- Example: The British Empire was considered the largest empire at the beginning of the 20th century.
- Reasons for U.S. Imperialism:
- Economic: Desire for new markets and raw materials.
- Military: Establishing naval bases and global military presence.
- Ideological: Belief in cultural superiority and spreading democracy.
- Strategic: Maintaining power and competing with European nations.
- Schools of Thought on Imperialism:
- Expansionists: Supported imperialism for economic, strategic, and moral reasons.
- Anti-Imperialists: Opposed expansion on moral, political, and economic grounds.
10.2 – THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
- Underlying Causes:
- Economic interests in Cuba
- Spanish mistreatment of Cubans
- Expansionist sentiment in the U.S.
- Secondary Causes:
- Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized news reports fueling anti-Spanish sentiment.
- De Lôme Letter: Spanish diplomat criticized President McKinley, inflaming U.S. anger.
- Trigger:
- The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor (1898), leading to war cries.
- Declaration of War: U.S. declared war on Spain in April 1898.
- Treaty of Paris (1898):
- Ended the war.
- U.S. gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
- Cuba became independent but under U.S. influence.
- Challenges After the War:
- Philippines: Armed resistance against U.S. rule led to the Philippine-American War.
- Cuba: The U.S. maintained influence through the Platt Amendment.
- Gains in the Pacific:
- Hawaii: Annexed by the U.S. in 1898.
- China: U.S. promoted the Open Door Policy to ensure trade access.
10.3 – A NEW FOREIGN POLICY
- Panama Canal:
- Need: To create a faster sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
- Securing Rights: U.S. supported Panama’s independence from Colombia and signed a treaty to build the canal.
- Reaction: Mixed responses, with some Latin American countries resenting U.S. intervention.
- T.R.'s "Big Stick" Policy:
- Slogan: "Speak softly and carry a big stick."
- Purpose: Use diplomatic negotiations backed by the threat of military force.
- Roosevelt Corollary:
- Extension of the Monroe Doctrine.
- Stated that the U.S. could intervene in Latin America to maintain stability.
- Reaction: Latin American nations resented increased U.S. interference.
- Taft & Wilson Policies:
- Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy: Encouraged U.S. investment in foreign economies.
- Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy: Promoted democracy and opposed imperialist policies.
- Comparison to T.R.: Less reliance on military force, but still involved in Latin American affairs.
10.4 – DEBATING AMERICA’S NEW ROLE
- Anti-Imperialists' Arguments:
- Moral & Political: U.S. should not control other nations against their will.
- Racism: Some opposed imperialism due to concerns over racial integration.
- Economic: Imperialism could hurt domestic workers by bringing in cheap labor.
- Appeal of Imperialism to Americans:
- Economic growth through trade.
- Increased national power and prestige.
- Belief in spreading American values and civilization.
- Global View of American Imperialism:
- Mixed perceptions: Some saw the U.S. as a liberator, others as an aggressive power.
- Resentment from nations under U.S. control or influence.