Unit 2a
U.S. Imperialism
U.S. Imperialism
Types of Imperialism
Imperialism means spreading the rule of one country over that of another country.
1) Colonial Imperialism: One country taking over another country usually by force.
2 ) Cultural Imperialism: One country’s culture impacts another country’s culture.
3) Political Imperialism: One country influences the government of another country.
4) Economic imperialism: One country controls key aspects of another country’s economy.
The Monroe Doctrine
European powers finally defeated Napoleon and wanted to reclaim their colonies in Latin America (1815).
The U.S. also felt threatened by Russia from the Northwest
–Russia expanded from Alaska and built trading posts in what is now California
James Monroe was elected in 1816.
In 1823 President Monroe gave a speech in Congress and warned outside powers not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere.
Do not try to make new colonies or try to overthrow newly independent republics --> he warned that the US would consider this “dangerous to our peace and safety”
Likewise, the US would not get involved in European affairs or interfere in existing colonies
Who: United States President James Monroe What: The Monroe Doctrine Where: United States When: December 2, 1823 Why: To assert American influence in the Western Hemisphere and discourage European colonization or intervention in the Americas.
Building a Modern Navy
Americans became increasingly willing to risk war to defend American interests overseas
Lead to a desire for a stronger navy to protect those interests
Captain Alfred T. Mahan wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783
Argued that European nations with powerful navies became prosperous and strong
Two senators, Henry Cabot Lodge and Albert J. Beveridge pushed for constructing a new navy
Perry Opens Japan
The Japanese initially believed that they would only benefit from trade with China and the Dutch
Commodore Matthew C. Perry was ordered to negotiate a trade treaty with Japan in 1852
Impressed with western technology, the Japanese agreed to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa
Opened two ports in Japan
Peace between the two nations
Help to any American sailor shipwrecked off the coast of Japan
Americans had permission to buy supplies like food, water, and coal
Annexing Hawaii
1891 🡪 Queen Liliuokalani gained the throne of Hawaii
She disliked the influence of Americans on Hawaii
January 1893 🡪 she attempted to assert her control over Hawaii
Planters responded with a US Marine backed overthrow of the government
President Cleveland did not like imperialism, so the provisional government in Hawaii waited until he was out of office to officially join the United States
Spanish-American War
America Supports Cuba
Americans began to support the Cuban rebels after hearing tales of Spanish atrocities in the major newspapers
Yellow Journalism - Sensational stories in which the authors often exaggerated and even made up stories to attract readers
Calls for War
William McKinley did not want to intervene but warned the Spanish that if the war did not end soon, the U.S. might have to become involved
January 1898 🡪 Spanish loyalists rioted in Havana, so McKinley sent in the USS Maine in case Americans need to be evacuated
February 15, 1898 🡪 The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor and sank
No one saw it explode
Americans believed that Spanish agents sabotaged the Maine
“Remember the Maine”
McKinley called for $50 million in war preparations
April 11, 1898 🡪 McKinley asked Congress to authorize the use of force
April 19🡪 Congress proclaimed Cuba independent
April 21 or 25 🡪 Spain declared war on the United States
African-Americans made up 10% of United States forces during this war.
The Battle of Manila Bay
May 1, 1898 🡪 Commodore Dewey’s fleet entered Manila Bay in the Philippines
Four American ships opened fire and destroyed the eight Spanish warships
Americans assembled 20,000 troops and shipped them from San Francisco to the Philippines
US troops seized Guam, another Spanish colony, on the way
Emilio Aguinaldo 🡪 Filipino revolutionary leader who had staged an unsuccessful uprising against the Spanish
Aguinaldo launched a second rebellion against the Spanish
Rebels took most of the islands, but Americans took Manila, the capital of the Philippines
American Forces in Cuba
The US army relied on volunteers to increase the size of the troops
Unable to supply and train them
Conditions were horrible in the training camps
June 14, 1898 🡪 17,000 American troops landed outside of Santiago
Theodore Roosevelt’s troop, known as the “Rough Riders” were included (made up of cowboys, miners, and law officers)
July 1 🡪 The charging of San Juan Hill
Spanish ordered the retreat of their troops to the bay, and American troops sank the ships
Two weeks later, the Spanish surrendered
Shortly afterwards, the Americans occupied Puerto Rico
Debate Over Annexation
Benefits of annexing the Philippines
Military bases on the islands, stopover on the way to China, large market for American goods
“Civilize” the native people
Anti-imperialists argued that America does not need to own people to trade with them and that the cost of an empire out-weighed the benefits
December 10, 1898 🡪 American and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris
Cuba became an independent nation
US acquired Puerto Rico and Guam
US paid Spain $20 million for the Philippines
Platt Amendment
Platt Amendment - Allowed Cubans to create a constitution, but under certain conditions
Platt Amendment:
Cuba could not make any treaty with another nation that would weaken its independence
Cuba had to allow America to buy or lease naval stations in Cuba
Cuba’s debts had to be kept low to prevent foreign countries from landing troops to enforce payment
US would have the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence and keep order
Made Cuba an American protectorate until 1934
Governing Puerto Rico
Foraker Act (1900) 🡪 established a civil government for the island
Provided for an elected legislature, governor, and executive council
1917 🡪 Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship
Puerto Rico continues today as a self-governing commonwealth of the US
Rebellion in the Philippines
Aguinaldo called the annexation of the Philippines a “violent and aggressive seizure” and ordered troops to attack American soldiers
Philippine-American War, or the Philippine Insurrection lasted more than 3 years
US adopted many of the policies that they had condemned the Spanish for previously
March 1901 🡪 American troops captured Aguinaldo and he ordered a surrender of his troops
July 4, 1902 🡪 US declared war over
1946 🡪 United States granted the Philippines their independence
Spanish-American War (A.I)
The Spanish-American War took place in 1898 between Spain and the United States.
The conflict was primarily fought over the issue of Cuban independence from Spanish colonial rule.
The war was triggered by the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor, which was blamed on Spain.
The United States supported the Cuban rebels and declared war on Spain in April 1898.
The war lasted for about four months and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in December 1898.
The United States emerged as the victor, gaining control over several Spanish colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
The war marked the rise of the United States as a global power and its expansion into overseas territories.
It also led to debates about American imperialism and the country's role in international affairs.
The war had significant consequences for Spain, as it lost its remaining colonies and its status as a major world power.
The conflict also had a lasting impact on Cuba, which gained independence but became heavily influenced by the United States.
New American Diplomacy
Open Door Policy
Diplomacy - Maintaining peaceful relations between nations, groups, or individuals
1894 🡪 War erupts between China and Japan over Korea
Japan easily defeats China and grants Korea their independence and gained territory in Manchuria
Russia did not like this, so together with Germany and France forced Japan out and made China lease the territory to Russia
Became a “sphere of influence” 🡪 an area in which a foreign nation controlled economic developments
President McKinley and Secretary of State John Hay supported an “open door policy”
Open Door Policy - All countries would be allowed to trade with China
America wasn’t in the leasehold
Hay sent notes to all of the countries with leaseholds in China to persuade them to agree to the Open Door Policy
They agreed as long as ALL of the countries agreed to it as well
Boxer Rebellion
Secret Chinese societies organized with the increasing influence of foreign nations
The Society of the Harmonious Fists (Boxers)
1900 🡪 Boxers decided to destroy the “foreign devils” and all of the Christian converts in China
Boxers, supported by some Chinese troops attacked foreign embassies, killed over 200 foreigners, and took many prisoners
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States sent in 50,000 troops to put down the rebellion
John Hay worked to convince foreign nations not to break up China into colonies, and instead accept compensation for damages from the rebellion
United States retained access to one of the most lucrative markets in the world
Roosevelt’s Diplomacy
McKinley chose Theodore Roosevelt (the hero of San Juan Hill) as his running mate
Focused on growing American prosperity
September 6, 1901 🡪McKinley is assassinated in Buffalo, NY by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist
Roosevelt, at 42, was the youngest person to become president
“Now look that… cowboy is president of the United States!” – senator Mark Hanna
Believed in increasing American influence around the world and in Anglo-Saxonism
Balancing Power in East Asia
Roosevelt supported the Open Door Policy and wanted to stop any nation from completely taking over trade in China
Roosevelt helped negotiate an end to the Russo-Japanese War in 1905
Convinced Russians to recognize Japan’s territorial gains and persuaded the Japanese to stop fighting for more territory
Earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906
Relations between Japan and the United States grew worse over time as they both wanted influence in China
Panama Canal
Roosevelt believed that displaying American military power would discourage other nations from fighting and promote peace
“Speak softly and carry a big stick”
1901 🡪 Hay-Pauncefort Treaty, gave the United States the exclusive right to build any proposed canal through Central America
A French company had attempted a canal in Panama in 1881, but gave up eight years later because of bankruptcy and disease
US considered two possible sites for the canal 🡪 Nicaragua and Panama
French company offered to sell its rights in Panama to the United States
1903 🡪 United States offers Colombia $10 million and a yearly rent of $250,000 for the right to construct a canal
Colombian government refused the offer
Panamanians feared lost of commercial benefits of the canal
French company feared the United States would build in Nicaragua instead
November 3, 1903 🡪 Panamanians revolted with France support
United States recognized Panama’s independence
Roosevelt claimed that he had advanced “the needs of collective civilization” by shortening the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific by 8,000 nautical miles
Roosevelt Corollary
United States became concerned when Venezuela defaulted on European loans and Britain, Germany, and Italy blockaded its ports
Roosevelt gave a speech known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
United States would intervene in Latin American affairs when necessary to maintain economic and political stability in the Western Hemisphere
Goal: Prevent European nations from using debts as a justification for intervening in the region
Dollar Diplomacy
William Howard Taft, the next president, continued Roosevelt’s policies in Latin America
Believed that if American business leaders support Latin American development, everyone would benefit
Dollar Diplomacy 🡪 American businesses would increase their trade and profits, and countries in Latin America would rise out of poverty and social disorder
Woodrow Wilson’s Diplomacy in Mexico
Wilson was more comfortable dealing with domestic policy, but his presidency would be marked with international affairs
Opposed imperialism and wanted to end the “nationalist self-seeking in American foreign policy
Believed that the world would be free of revolution and war by promoting democracy
Mexico Revolution
Porfirio Dìaz ruled Mexico as a dictator
Promoted industrialization of Mexico, but mostly foreign nations owned and financed the railroads and factories
1911🡪 Francisco Madero, a reformer who supported democracy, constitutional government, and land reform, led the revolution
Not an effective leader
February, 1913🡪 General Victoriano Huerta gained control
Wilson refused to recognize Huerta, believing that without US support, he would be overthrown
April 1914 🡪 American sailors are arrested for entering a restricted area
Quickly released but US demands an apology; Mexico refuses
Wilson asks Congress to use force and shortly learned that a German ship was bringing weapons to Mexico
Wilson orders the bombing of the Mexican harbor
Anti-American riots break out in Mexico
Wilson agrees to mediation to end conflict
Venustiano Carranza becomes president of Mexico
March 1916 🡪 Pancho Villa and a group of guerillas burned the small city of Columbus, New Mexico and killed 16 Americans
Wilson responded by ordering 6,000 troops under General John J. Pershing into Mexico to find Villa
They had no luck and were recalled in 1917
Questions
Don’t study: 6, 7, 17, 19
Alfred T. Mahan - Naval historian who advocated for naval power as the basis for a great nation; urged the U.S. to build a modern fleet
Big Stick Diplomacy - Theodore Roosevelt’s approach to international relations that depended on a strong military to achieve its aims.
Dollar Diplomacy - President Taft’s policy to encourage investment rather than use force in Latin America
Emilio Aguinaldo - Leader of Filipino nationalists who defeated the Spanish Army
Foraker Act - (1900) Established civil government in Puerto Rico with an appointed governor
Jose Marti - Organized and unified the movement for Cuban independence
Open Door Policy - Secretary of State John Hay’s policy of opposing European colonies and “spheres of influence” in China
Panama Canal - Waterway dug across Panama to shorten the trip between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
“Pancho” Villa - Mexican guerrilla and outlaw who eluded capture by General Pershing for 11 months in 1916-1917
Philippine Insurrection - Organized by Filipino nationalists against the United States after they decided to retain possession of the Philippines in 1899.
Platt Amendment - Addendum to Cuba’s constitution restricting Cuba’s independence from the United States
Queen Liliuokalani - Hawaiian monarch dethroned in 1893 by rebel American planters in an action backed by U.S. Marines.
Roosevelt Corollary - Roosevelt’s addition to the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the U.S. would intervene in Latin America in order to prevent European intervention
Spheres of Influence - Zones in China that gave European powers exclusive to commerce
Treaty of Paris - Ended the Spanish-American War and included U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico and the purchase of the Philippines
William Seward - Purchased Alaska in 1867 from Russia for $7.2 million
Yellow Journalism - Journalism that emphasized sensationalism over facts
two questions on type of imperialism
Why did the u.s. want Hawaii
(A.I) The U.S. wanted Hawaii for several reasons, including its strategic location in the Pacific Ocean, its potential as a naval base, its rich natural resources, and its economic potential for sugar and pineapple production. Additionally, American business interests and the desire for expanded markets also played a role in the U.S. interest in Hawaii.
Why was Wilson bad at international affairs + example
(A.I) There are several reasons why some critics argue that Woodrow Wilson was not successful in international affairs:
Treaty of Versailles: Wilson's idealistic vision for the League of Nations and his insistence on the inclusion of his Fourteen Points in the Treaty of Versailles led to opposition from other world leaders. The United States ultimately did not join the League of Nations, limiting its effectiveness.
Failure to secure Senate approval: Wilson faced significant opposition from isolationist senators who were skeptical of his internationalist agenda. The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles, preventing the United States from fully participating in the post-war international order.
Inability to prevent World War II: Despite Wilson's efforts to establish the League of Nations and promote collective security, his vision was not fully realized. The League of Nations was unable to prevent the outbreak of World War II, highlighting the limitations of Wilson's approach.
Latin American interventions: Wilson's interventions in Latin America, such as the occupation of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, were seen by some as imperialistic and undermined his claims of promoting self-determination and democracy.
Racial segregation: Wilson's administration implemented policies that reinforced racial segregation in federal agencies, which contradicted his rhetoric of promoting democracy and self-determination.
It is important to note that opinions on Wilson's international affairs vary, and some argue that he made significant contributions to the development of international relations.
President Wilson’s career would include being unable to conduct international affairs. He disliked imperialism, believing that democracy was the key to peace, however Wilson would go against this after refusing to recognize Huerta as the ruler of Mexico. He would send send troops to Mexico and order the bombing of the Mexican harbor. Tensions would rise, leading to anti-American riots and the capturing of American sailors. This shows that Wilson didn’t know what to do with International Affairs, leading to a decline in Mexico-America relations.
Pros and cons of Treaty of Paris of 1898
(A.I) Pros of the Treaty of Paris of 1898:
End of the Spanish-American War: The treaty marked the official end of the Spanish-American War, bringing an end to the hostilities between Spain and the United States.
Acquisition of Territories: The United States gained several territories as a result of the treaty, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This expanded American influence and provided strategic military bases in the Pacific.
Expansion of American Empire: The treaty solidified the United States' position as a global power and expanded its territorial holdings beyond the North American continent.
Economic Opportunities: The acquisition of new territories opened up new markets for American goods and provided opportunities for trade and economic growth.
Promotion of Democracy: The treaty allowed the United States to introduce democratic principles and institutions to the newly acquired territories, promoting self-governance and potentially spreading American values.
Cons of the Treaty of Paris of 1898:
Imperialistic Motives: The treaty reflected the United States' imperialistic ambitions, as it sought to expand its influence and control over other nations.
Violation of Self-Determination: The treaty disregarded the aspirations of the people in the acquired territories, as they were not given the opportunity to determine their own political future.
Resistance and Conflict: The acquisition of the Philippines, in particular, led to a prolonged and bloody conflict between the United States and Filipino nationalists who sought independence.
Cultural Assimilation: The treaty imposed American culture and values on the acquired territories, potentially eroding local traditions and identities.
Racial Discrimination: The treaty perpetuated racial discrimination, as the United States treated the inhabitants of the acquired territories as second-class citizens, denying them full rights and representation.
Overall, the Treaty of Paris of 1898 had both positive and negative consequences, with the expansion of American influence and economic opportunities being balanced by imperialistic motives, resistance, and cultural assimilation.