Imperialism Section 17 (Outline)
Becoming a World Power
The New Imperialism
United States becomes an imperial power on global stage
During the last quarter of the 19th century, America takes a backseat to the imperialist tendencies of European nations carving up various places around the world
America was regarded as a “second rate country”
Ottoman Empire closes American embassy
America attends Berlin Congress b/c of ties to Liberia but doesn’t sign agreement
Most of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific were divided among the imperial powers
justification was that imperial power would lead to modern “civilization” for backwards peoples
instructed in Western values, labor practices, and Christian religion.
eventually bestowed the right of self-government
facade for exploitation
American Expansionism
America becomes increasingly aware of its emergence as a global power
America had only really expanded on the North American continent up until 1890
talks about acquiring Cuba
Grant’s plan to annex Dominican Republic (rejected)
acquisition of Alaska
Americans who looked to expand overseas were most interested in expanded trade, NOT territorial expansion
Markets were expanding globally due to the growing agriculture and industry
Business leaders emphasized the need to increase their audience to the global stage, especially in the midst of economic downturns
Middle-class American women were more and more likely to want foreign foods and clothes
“Oriental Fashions” + exotic spices pushed the entrance of Americans into the Far East
The Lure of Empire
Religious missionaries spread the influence of America overseas
to spread Christianity
offered employments to those with few domestic opportunities such as blacks and women
A small group of Americans actively promoted American expansionism, citing that the United States could not be left behind in the scramble to build an empire
Our Country, Josiah Strong (prominent Congregationalist clergyman)
updated definition of Manifest Destiny to being that Anglo-Saxons were honored with the role of spreading their institutions and values to “inferior races”.
By civilizing “savages”, Strong believed it would benefit the American economy by creating new customers
The Influence of Sea Power upon History, Alfred Mahan
a nation couldn’t prosper without a large fleet of ships engaging in international trade, protected by a power oversea base-based navy
American frontier no longer existed (no clear divide) → expand out of the continent
Blaine (Sec of State) during Ben Harrison’s presidency was influenced to try and persuade the president to acquire overseas territory to serve as bases
Hawaii
economic ties w/ US due to treaties that exempted Hawaiian sugar from tariffs
economy dominated by native, Chinese, Japanese, and Fillipino workers under long term contracts
American naval base @ Pearl Harbor
1893 Revolt to overthrow Hawaiian Queen, Harrison submits a treaty of annexation to the Senate
Harrison’s successor, Cleveland, withdraws the treaty after noticing its lack of public support from Hawaiians
America annexes the islands in 1898 during the Sp-Am war
Panic of 1893
more aggressive foreign policy is needed to stimulate American exports
government promoted patriotism (Pledge of Allegiance + National Anthem)
mass-circulated newspapers provided nationalistic sentiments
“yellow press” - mixing sensational accounts of crime + political corruption to appeal to American patriotism
The “Splendid Little War” (coined by John Hay)
Sp-Am war originated in the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain
The Spanish caused widespread suffering for Cuban citizens by moving them to detention camps → won growing support for the cause in the United States
U.S.S Maine explodes off the coast of Cuba
yellow journalists blame the Spanish and call for war to be declared on the Spaniards
Spain rejects demands for a cease-fire and eventual Cuban independence
McKinley asked Congress for a war declaration
Congress cites the Teller Amendment (no intention of annexing/controlling the island, shows the humanitarian intentions)
McKinley shifts to embracing imperial expansion after the Sp-Am war
fighting took place at Manila Bay → first major American combat outside Western Hemisphere → shows growing imperialist tendencies
Roosevelt at San Juan Hill
Roosevelt was an avid expansionist
believed that war would reinvigorate the nation’s unity and sense of manhood
led the Rough Riders @ San Juan Hill
resigned from his government post to lead cavalry unit
he envisioned his unit to have a diverse demographic, excluding blacks
Roosevelt’s actions @ San Juan Hill led him to becoming a national hero → winning him governor of NY and becoming McKinley’s VP
An American Empire
Transformation of the Motivations of War:
helping out the Cubans → imperial expansion
McKinley became convinced that he couldn’t return the Philippines to Spain nor grant them independence (b/c Filipinos were “unprepared”)
gotta civilize and train the Filipinos to ready them for self gov
After the Sp-Am War
America acquired Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam
Before recognizing Cuban independence, McKinley forced them to approve the Platt Amendment to the new Cuban Constitution
Platt Amendment authorized US to intervene militarily whenever it saw fit
US also acquires a permanent lease on naval stations in Cuba
Cuban patriots were extrmeely disappointed by the Platt Amendment
America’s primary interest was due to MORE TRADE
Puerto + Cuba were gateways to the rest of Latin America
Open Door Policy
European powers in China had to grant equal access to American exports in their respective spheres of influence. (free movements of money and goods, not people)
The Philippine War
Cubans, Filipinos and Puerto Ricans believed that American intervention was the key to their freedom
large planters wanted access to American markets
elites hoped that American presence would prevent radicalism by national rebellion movements
Leaders admired the democratic ideals of the U.S.
The Philippines turned against the US once McKinley announced that he would retain possession of the islands
sparked the Philippine War, often lost to time
atrocities on both sides
McKinley’s administration justified itself that it aimed to civilize the Filipinos for them to appreciate Anglo-Saxon ideals
American colonization brought many changes
railroad + harbor expansion
introduction of American teachers + public health officials
modernize agriculture
American interests tended to serve the elites → diversified small farmers become low-wage plantation economies → socioeconomic inequality
Citizens or Subjects
It was the “white man’s burden” to spread imperialism
domination of “lesser races” was part of the progress of civilization
America’s entry into imperialism sparked much debate over various aspects of American government, law, and ideals
goes against American system of gov to have a permanent colony
colonies were eventually supposed to be integrated into America → equal states and American citizenship
However, this wasn’t the case as the values of nationalism, democracy + American freedom became intertwined with Anglo-Saxon superiority
Leaders across the political spectrum wanted to retain foreign possessions however believed that their assimilation was not possible due to differing race+culture
Insular Cases: series of court cases that deemed that constitutional protection of individual rights did not fully apply to residents of “insular” territories acquired by the US in the Sp-Am War (Puerto + Philippines)
principals of no taxation without representation + consent of the governed were COMPLETELY ABANDONED
Sp-Am War established a precedent for American intervention in foreign affairs
look at the huge number of American interventions in Latin American govenrment during the 1900s
Drawing the Global Color Line
growing sense of fraternity developing between “Anglo-Saxon” nations due to concerns about immigration, race relations, and the “white man’s burden”
Anglo-Saxon nations learned from the failure of Reconstruction that multiracial democracies were impossible
The American Commonwealth, by James Bryce (british) said that giving blacks the right to vote was a mistake that led to corruption + misgov
cited by founders of Australia to justify their racism
South Africa’s apartheid was influenced by this too
Gentlemen’s agreement inspired immigration quotas for Japanese in Canada
“Republic or Empire”
Anti-Imperialist League
united writers and social reformers who believed American energy should be directed domestically
businessmen afraid of maintenance costs for oversea business
racists who did not wish to integrate non-white populations into the US
held meetings throughout the nation and published pamphlets called Liberty Tracts → empire was not compatible with democracy
America should lead by democratic example, not conquer other people
assistance vs colonial rule
1900 Election
WJB represents the Democratic party on a platform that the Philippine War has exposed the American hypocrisy of violating their ideals to crush a nation militarily because of their democratic ideals
Despite the contradictions, proponents for imperialism said that America ventured not for material gain/power but rather to introduce freedom abroad
McKinley won the election due to riding the wave of patriotism inspired by the war + the economy recovering from the Panic of 1893.
At the dawn of the 20th century, the United States had set itself as an emerging global power (powerful econ)
led the world in industrial production
stabilized political system
North and South had reconciled
How could America exist as an empire with traditional ideas of freedom?
Practice (Kai Chat Logs)
Generate potential SAQ questions using the information in the outline
robot
Here are some potential Short Answer Question (SAQ) prompts based on the content of the outline:
To what extent did the motivations for American imperialism in the late 19th century reflect economic interests?
Discuss the impact of economic factors on American expansionism during this period, citing examples such as the acquisition of overseas territories and trade interests.
How did religious ideologies contribute to the justification of American imperialism?
Analyze the role of missionaries and religious figures like Josiah Strong in promoting the concept of American expansion as a moral obligation to civilize "inferior races."
What were the consequences of the Spanish-American War on U.S. foreign policy?
Examine how the outcomes of the war shifted American strategies and motivations towards imperialism, specifically in relation to the acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
In what ways did the Insular Cases challenge the principles of American democracy?
Evaluate the implications of these Supreme Court cases for the application of constitutional rights to residents of U.S. territories acquired after the Spanish-American War.
How did public perception and media influence the United States' decision to engage in the Spanish-American War?
Discuss the role of the "yellow press" and nationalistic sentiments in shaping popular support for
Rate my response to the first question you generated:
Many worried business owners were concerned about the economic consequences due to the Panic of 1893. They wanted to expand their markets globally through imperialism so that they could acquire new consumers to boost their profits. For example, the United States got involved within the Spanish American war to protect their economic interests in Cuba, despite putting up a facade that it was for the freedom of the Cubans. After defeating the Spaniards in the war, the Americans placed Cuba under their sphere of influence through the Platt Amendment, showing how America wanted to keep Cuba under their control for their economic benefit.
robot
Your response provides a well-structured analysis of the motivations behind American imperialism during the late 19th century, particularly in relation to the Panic of 1893. You clearly articulate how economic concerns drove the desire for expansionist policies and illustrate your points with relevant examples such as the Spanish-American War and the Platt Amendment. Overall, it effectively conveys the idea that economic interests were a significant factor, while also acknowledging the conflicting narrative of promoting Cuban freedom. Your use of specific details strengthens the argument. Well done!
Is there anything I can improve on?
robot
Your response is already quite strong, but there are a few areas you might consider improving:
Clarify the Facade of Freedom: You mention the facade of freedom. Expanding on this concept, perhaps with a brief explanation of how the U.S. framed its intervention in Cuba as a humanitarian effort could add depth.
Broaden Context: Including a broader context around the Panic of 1893 (like its impact on American society or indicators of economic distress) could provide a stronger foundation for your argument.
Counterarguments: You might mention the perspectives of those opposed to imperialism, such as the Anti-Imperialist League, to show a more nuanced understanding of the public debate during that era.
Concluding Thoughts: A concluding sentence connecting these points back to the broader themes of imperialism and national identity may create a more cohesive response.
Overall, maintaining your clear and
How did the United States frame its intervention in Cuba as a humanitarian effort?
robot
The United States framed its intervention in Cuba as a humanitarian effort primarily by emphasizing the suffering of the Cuban people under Spanish rule. Reports of brutality, such as Spain's use of concentration camps for Cuban civilians, garnered significant public outcry in the U.S., and yellow journalism played a crucial role in sensationalizing these accounts to elicit sympathy among the American public.
Prominent newspapers, like those owned by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, depicted the Spanish forces as oppressors and the Cubans as victims deserving of support. Moreover, when President McKin
Rate my response to the following question: What were the consequences of the Spanish-American War on U.S. foreign policy?
The Spanish-American War led to a dramatic shift in U.S foreign policy. Namely, it led to the U.S. shifting its focus from domestic affairs to global affairs and its emergence as a global power. After acquiring the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines the U.S. government became especially concerned as to what to do with their new holdings. Specifically, the issue of the Philippines was urgent for the McKinley administration. McKinley did not want to return the Philippines to Spain nor grant them independence as he felt that they weren't ready for civilized government. This suppression of the Filipino desire for freedom shows how America became increasingly involved in the foreign affairs of other nations, whether it be because of the "white man's burden" to spread democratic ideals or for economic reasons.
robot
Your response effectively summarizes the key consequences of the Spanish-American War on U.S. foreign policy. You clearly articulate the shift from domestic to global concerns, emphasizing the emergence of the U.S. as a world power and the complexities surrounding its newly acquired territories. The discussion of the Philippines under McKinley's administration is particularly strong, highlighting the perspective of American leaders regarding governance and their justification for imperialism through the "white man's burden".
One area for improvement could be to provide more detail on the broader implications of U.S. actions in these territories, such as how they influenced subsequent foreign policy or the reactions of the local populations. Additionally, mentioning the Platt Amendment and its implications for Cuba could strengthen your argument by illustrating the
What were the economic reasons for the U.S. maintaining control of the Philippines and not granting them independence?
robot
The economic reasons for the U.S. maintaining control of the Philippines and not granting them independence included the desire to access new markets for American goods and to secure trade routes. American interests were largely driven by the potential for increased trade and influence in the region, as the Philippines served as a gateway to the rest of Asia. Business leaders and large planters saw the Philippines as vital for their economic goals, and there were concerns that granting independence could lead to instability and hinder American economic