American Imperialism Notes
American Imperialism
Objectives
Analyze the causes and course of America’s growing role in world affairs from the Civil War to World War I.
The influence of the ideas associated with Social Darwinism.
The purchase of Alaska from Russia.
America’s growing influence in Hawaii leading to annexation.
The Spanish-American War.
Describe the causes and course of the Spanish American War and explain the consequences.
Imperialism
Definition: Stronger nations extend their economic, political, military, or cultural control over weaker territories or countries.
Imperialistic countries often impose their culture, and economic and political system on the weaker country or territory.
Forms of Imperialism
Colony: Territory that an imperial power rules directly through colonial officials.
Protectorate: Territory that has its own government, but its policies are guided by an imperial power.
Sphere of Influence: Region of a country in which an imperial power has exclusive investment or trading rights.
Imperialism (Continued)
European nations such as England, Spain, France, Russia, Portugal, Germany, and Belgium carved Africa into colonies by the late 1800s.
Britain’s empire included a quarter of world’s land and people.
Japan joined Europe in imperialist competition in Asia (China).
Imperialism and Economics
By the late 1800s, the growing industrial economy of the U.S. was producing more goods than the nation could consume.
The overabundance of industrial goods led Americans to look for new markets abroad.
Albert J. Beveridge, an Indiana Senator, pushed for new territory on economic grounds.
Achieve a Favorable Balance of Trade
Americans wanted to export (sell) more goods to foreign markets than to import (buy) goods from foreign markets.
Imperialism and Military Strength
Admiral Alfred T. Mahan.
The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890):
Argued that naval power was key to success in international politics.
The nation that controlled the seas held the decisive factor in modern warfare.
Need a strong navy to defend shipping lanes.
Need naval bases for supplies.
U.S. built a modern fleet, becoming the 3rd largest in the world.
Social Darwinism
Idea that humans, like animals and plants, compete in a struggle for existence in which natural selection results in “survival of the fittest.”
Based on Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution.
Herbert Spencer, an English sociologist, coined the phrase “survival of the fittest” to describe the outcome of competition between social groups.
Imperialism and White Superiority
Social Darwinism and racial superiority justified imperialism.
U.S. had a responsibility to spread Christianity and civilization to inferior peoples.
Purchase of Alaska from Russia
1867 – Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaskan territory from Russia for 7.2 million.
Thought to be a frozen wasteland, referred to as “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox.”
Seward wanted to end Russia’s influence in America.
Later, huge gold and oil deposits were discovered.
Became an organized territory in 1912.
Admitted as 49th state in 1959.
America’s Growing Influence in Hawaii Leading to Annexation
Hawaii was strategically important in the Pacific: a provisional stop for American whalers and commercial shippers.
During the 19th century, Americans constantly worried that Hawaii would be colonized by a European imperial power (military issue).
American Protestants established missionaries (religious / cultural issue).
American settlers set up sugar plantations, gaining political influence and power (economic issue).
Hawaii (Continued)
1875 - treaty allowed the sale of duty-free Hawaiian sugar.
1890 - McKinley Tariff eliminated duty-free sugar (hurt U.S. sugar planters).
1893 - Americans led a revolt against Queen Liliuokalani when she refused to grant Americans more control.
Sanford B. Dole played a major role.
Hawaiian Annexation
American sugar planters gained control of Hawaii’s government and economy.
Americans established a provisional government; Sanford B. Dole is president.
The new government wanted U.S. Annexation.
At first, the U.S. said “no.”
1898 - after the Spanish-American War started, the U.S. annexed Hawaii.
1959 - Hawaii became the 50th state.
Causes of the Spanish American War
Imperialism
Economic
Humanitarian
Yellow Journalism
De Lôme Letter
Sinking of U.S.S. Maine - IMMEDIATE CAUSE!
Imperialistic Causes
Cuba was the last major European colony in Latin America.
Cuba was a major source of sugar, economically very beneficial.
Cuba was strategically important should the U.S. want to build any Central American canal, which would help control the Caribbean.
Economic Causes
American capitalists invested millions of dollars in sugar plantations.
1895 – Cubans launched a revolt against the Spanish.
American economic interests were seriously affected when both Cubans and Spaniards destroyed American property and disrupted American trade.
Humanitarian Causes
1896 – Spain sent Gen. Valeriano Weyler to put down the revolt.
Cubans fought a guerrilla war, controlling the countryside; the Spanish controlled cities and towns.
To cut rebels off from supporters, the Spanish herded most civilians into “reconcentration camps.”
Tens of thousands died of starvation and disease.
Yellow Journalism
Yellow Press:
William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer
Deliberately sensationalized stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba.
“You give me the pictures and I’ll give you the war.” - William Randolph Hearst
De Lôme Letter
The Spanish Minister to the U.S. wrote a letter to a friend in Cuba, severely criticizing President McKinley, calling him weak.
The letter was stolen and published in U.S newspapers.
It angered Americans, who wanted war with Spain.
U.S.S. Maine
McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to protect American lives and property.
It was anchored at Havana Harbor.
February 15, 1898 - mysteriously blew up, killing 266 Americans.
Although with no proof, American newspapers blamed Spain.
“Remember the Maine” – rallying cry for U.S. intervention.
U.S. Invades Cuba
Naval blockade of Cuba.
The U.S. army was ill-equipped – old guns, inadequate uniforms, inexperienced volunteer force.
Rough Riders – volunteer cavalry – Theodore Roosevelt and Leonard Wood.
Battle of San Juan Hill – a major victory for U.S.
Treaty of Paris
Fighting lasted only 16 weeks.
Treaty of Paris:
Cuba would become independent.
Spain gives Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S.
U.S. pays 20 million to Spain for the Philippines.
U.S. Involvement in Puerto Rico
Puerto Ricans were disillusioned with the U.S. military government and its attitude of superiority.
Foraker Act (1900) – denied citizenship to Puerto Ricans; gave the President power to appoint the governor and members of the upper house.
1917 – U.S. granted the right of citizenship and the right to elect members of both houses.
Cuba Becomes a Protectorate
Teller Amendment (1898) – U.S. did not intend to annex Cuba.
Platt Amendment (1900) – U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba to maintain order; Cuba could not make treaties that permit a foreign power to control its territory.
Protecting American Business Interests
American corporations invested heavily in sugar, tobacco, and mining.
American troops intervened 3 times in Cuban affairs between 1906 and 1917.
U.S. established a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
Objectives (Cont.)
U.S. expansion into Asia under the Open Door policy.
President Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
America’s role in the building of the Panama Canal.
President Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy.
President Wilson’s intervention in Mexico.
China and Open Door Policy
European powers and Japan established spheres of influence in China.
Sec. of State John Hay proposes the Open Door Policy – European nations share trading rights in China with the U.S.
Boxer Rebellion – Chinese rebellion against Western influences – kill missionaries, foreigners, Chinese converts.
U.S. and European powers quell Boxers.
Roosevelt and the World
Russo-Japanese War – tensions over Korea – Japan defeated the Russian navy.
TR hosted negotiations between Russia and Japan – Treaty of Portsmouth (1905).
TR builds 16 white battleships to tour the world, demonstrating U.S. naval power.
American Involvement in Panama
U.S. recognized the strategic need for a canal during the Spanish-American War.
France offers to sell its rights and properties in Panama to the U.S.
Congress agrees only if Columbia, which owned Panama, would allow the U.S. to control the canal zone.
Columbia, seeking more money, refused.
The U.S. supported Panamanian independence.
Roosevelt sent American ships to prevent Colombian troops from entering Panama.
Roosevelt immediately recognized Panama as a republic.
Panama Canal
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty - granted the U.S. the right to a 10-mile wide canal zone and control of the canal in return for the protection of Panama; payment of 10 million and an annual rental fee.
1921 - U.S. paid Columbia 25 million as compensation for the loss of Panama.
1978 - Panama Canal Treaty - negotiated as a result of anti-American feelings in Panama; gave control of waterway to Panama New Year’s Eve, 2000; U.S. maintains military base.
President Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
Monroe Doctrine (1823): Declared that the U.S. had an interest in the Western Hemisphere and that European powers must not meddle in the affairs of any developing nations there.
Roosevelt Corollary
European powers had begun using military power to force Latin American governments to pay their debts.
The Roosevelt Corollary was an "amendment" to the Monroe Doctrine.
The U.S. was willing to seek leverage over Latin American governments by acting as an international police power in the region.
Roosevelt Corollary (Continued)
The U.S. will intervene in Latin America to protect U.S. interests.
“Big Stick” Diplomacy
Speak softly but carry a big stick.
Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
U.S. businesses invest in many Latin American countries; use trade instead of warships to influence Latin American governments.
Providing economic assistance to Latin America would bring stability to underdeveloped areas and power and profit to U.S. bankers.
Used to justify keeping Europe out of the western hemisphere.
Wilson’s Intervention in Mexico
Missionary Diplomacy – pressure Latin American nations to establish democratic governments.
Wilson refused to recognize governments that came to power through violence.
1913 – General Victoriano Huerta overthrew the Mexican dictator – Wilson appalled @ power grab.
Supported Venustiano Carranza.
Wilson’s Missionary Diplomacy
Carranza toppled Huerta – Wilson shifted support to Francisco Villa.
Carranza’s increasing support in Mexico and the U.S.’s preoccupation with WWI led the U.S. to recognize Carranza’s government.
Villa began terrorizing New Mexico and Texas.
1916 – Wilson ordered troops under General John J. Pershing to pursue Villa into Mexico – angered Carranza.
Wilson eventually ordered troops to withdraw – soured U.S.-Mexican relations.