A New EmpireAmerican Foreign Policy

Annexation and Empire Newly acquired land after the Spanish-American War:

Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines Debate over American ideals of independence OR

ruling a foreign country without the consent of its people

Annexation- one country taking political, economic, or military control of another country

Annexation and Empire

Pros- The Imperialists More markets for

American goods Business opportunities Natural resources Military bases Help “less civilized”

people “Free oppressed

people”

Cons- The Anti-Imperialists

Cost of empire > economic benefits

Cheap foreign labor drives down American wages= unemployment

Imperialism violates American principles

Annexing the Philippines

McKinley decides to take-over the Philippines Reasons:

Pride- Giving them back to Spain would be cowardly and dishonorable

Competition- Giving them over to another European power would be bad for business

Superiority- The Filipinos are unfit to rule themselves

No other choice but to take them, educate them, civilize them, and Christianize them

Filipino Response

Philippine-American War-Filipino troops attack American soldiers, lasted for 3 years

4,300 American soldiers die 50,000-200,000 Filipinos die Americans set up reconcentration camps-

Thousands die from disease or starvation Governor of the Philippines, William Howard Taft

tries to improve education, roads, bridges, transportation, health care

Philippines granted independence in 1946

Platt Amendment and Cuba

Amendment to the Cuban ConstitutionCan’t make treaties with other nations

that might weaken its independenceU.S. can set up naval bases in CubaDebts kept low to avoid European

interventionU.S. can intervene to protect Cuban

independence

Foraker Act and Puerto Rico

Established government in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican government controlled by the U.S. but Puerto Ricans not U.S. citizens

Debate over Puerto Rican statehood still debated today

Open Door Policy Sphere of Influence- area where a foreign nation

controlled economic development U.S. interested in developing trade with Asian countries like China

Open Door PolicyAll countries are allowed to trade with ChinaCountries not allowed to interfere in the

businesses of other countries

Panama Canal Theodore Roosevelt believed a

strong military presence discouraged fighting=peace

“Speak softly and carry a big stick”

Needed a faster way to Asia Important for U.S. military power

in the world Canal would save time and

money for the military AND commercial/business shipments

Roosevelt Corollary U.S. concerned about European enforcement of debt

repayment for Latin American countries. Ex. Venezuela

Roosevelt Corollary added on to the Monroe Doctrine

U.S. will intervene in Latin American countries to maintain economic and political stability in the Western Hemisphere

Prevent Europe from using debt repayment as an excuse to get involved in Latin America

Established the United States as an international “police power”

Dollar Diplomacy Constant U.S. intervention in Latin America to protect U.S.

interests and investments Latin American countries begin to get fed up with American

influence William Howard Taft shifts intervention emphasis from

military to industry American businesses help Latin American businesses=

everyone benefits U.S. Benefits: American businesses increase trade and

profit Latin American Benefits- raise standard of living, help

keep social order, bring wealth to the poor Replaced European loans with American loans to keep Europe

out