US Imperialism

EMPIRE

Economic:

• The US wanted to spread its business around the world.

• More trade with the world.

• More places for US business (Back then, there was no Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, etc.)

Military

• The US wanted to improve it’s navy

• Control its colonies

• More bases

Political

• Spread democracy

• The US wants the colonies to be controled by US gov’t

Ideological

• Wanted to spread liberty and Democracy

• Social Darwinism Racist Ideas (SDRI) that American Whites were Superior to all and fit for gov’t and everyone else had to be “civilized and American”.

Religious

• They wanted to spread Christianity.

Envy

• EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING IT

• The US was late

Never gonna give you up

US Declares War on Spain:

Why?

The explosion of the USS Maine

And to “free” the remaining Spanish colonies.

US wants to be an imperial power.

During the war:

US had better ships than Spain. US ships were made out of metal, steam-powered, and had blast shells. Spain had wooden, sail, and cannon ships.

Outcome:

US won and got Puerto Rico and Guam for free

US buys the Philippines for $20,000,000.

Filipino American war:

US Imperialized Philippines

Emiliano was not happy with us imperializing Philippines because the US promise Philippines Independence

So, Philippines Declares war on the US

US is brutal on the Filipino citizens. Concentration camps, burning villiages, and killing

War lasts for 3 years

Platt Amendment:

Cuba can’t sign treaties that limit or threaten Cuban independence

US could come and intervene in Cuba

US could buy and lease land in Cuba

Teller Amendment:

Tells Cuba that the US has no plans to imperialize Cuba.

“Butch” Weyler sends the Cubans to the Concentration camps.

US Hypocrisy:

We fought a war against Britain to escape Britain’s rule. But, now the US is ruling other countries. US didn’t imperialize Cuba, but we did to Philippines. The US is putting Filippinos in camps, the same thing as Spain did in Cuba.

Why did US buy Alaska??

1. $0.02 per acre

2. A lot of raw resources(Gold, Oil, and Wood)

US annexed Hawaii. Why?

1. Pearl Harbor

2. Pineapples

3. Plantations

The US expansion was driven by economic desires for greater trade and business opportunities worldwide. Militarily, the focus was on strengthening the navy and asserting control over colonies. Politically, the ambition included spreading democracy and managing colonies under US governance. Ideologically, there was a belief in American racial superiority, necessitating the 'civilization' of other nations, along with a mission to spread Christianity. Influenced by the attitude of 'everyone else is doing it', the US pursued imperialism, declaring war on Spain in response to the USS Maine explosion and intentions to liberate Spanish colonies. This conflict resulted in American victories that led to the acquisitions of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the purchase of the Philippines. However, this also ignited the harsh Filipino-American War, contradicting US promises of independence to the Filipinos. The Platt Amendment imposed restrictions on Cuba's sovereignty, despite the Teller Amendment assuring no annexation of Cuba, underscoring the hypocrisy of the US in its imperial ambitions while reflecting on its own fight for independence. The purchase of Alaska was motivated by its abundant resources, and Hawaii was annexed for its strategic importance and agricultural advantages.