Imperialism and the U.S.

Mr. Calella

In 1800s, many people in U.S. wanted to join European powers and set up colonies

What are some reasons a country might want to establish colonies?

What wouldn’t a country want colonies?

Introduction

Why?: Natural resources, new markets, strategic bases, spread culture, cheap labor, international prestige, and manifest destiny was already achieved and need new goal

Why not?: Rebellion, spread out our military too thin, too far, moral considerations (WHICH? EXPLAIN!!!)

Some Ideas

Imperialism: policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.

Europeans been doing it for years in Africa and Asia.

What do you need to gain colonies? Industrial Age in U.S. so had a lot of surplus;

colonies could be new markets. U.S. believed that it had a superior culture

and that under Social Darwinism it had a responsibility to spread its culture around the world. WHY DID U.S. FEEL THIS WAY?

Imperialism

What is the meaning of this cartoon?

U.S. buys Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (1959, became 49th state)-Natural resources

Hawaii (U.S. government annexes it after U.S. civilians help to overthrow the native government-1959, became 50th state)-excerpt from textbook◦Strategic trading spot because ½ way between U.S. and China

◦Strategic base like Pearl Harbor because Japan getting powerful

Alaska and Hawaii

Map of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean

Spain, once one of the most powerful imperial power in the world, only had a few colonies left in 1900

Philippines, Guam in the Pacific

Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Sea

Spanish Empire

Show War with Spain clip

From Learn 360

Spanish Empire at its Height

The Caribbean Sea

1.Cuba was fighting a war for independence against Spain. The Spanish were brutally treating the rebels, like firing squads for prisoners. Many U.S. citizens wanted the government to get involved

2. Yellow Journalism: News stories which exaggerate the facts to sell more papers and engage readers. More public support for Cuban rebels.

4 Factors that led to Spanish-American War

3. The De Lome Letter: Letter written by Spanish diplomat that was stolen by Cuban rebel and printed by U.S. newspapers; criticized President McKinley calling him weak and willing to do anything to quiet the masses

4. The U.S.S. Maine explodes: The ship was ordered to Cuba to protect American property and on February 15, 1898 it mysteriously explodes (260 crewmen died)

How do you think Yellow Journalists reported the story?

Continued

The Maine explodes!

The Maine wreckage

New York World front page

“Remember the Maine” became rallying slogan◦April 20, 1898, U.S. declares war on

Spain  Philippines

War starts here; Admiral Dewey’s fleet destroy entire Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.

U.S. troops land and help Filipinos gain independence

The War

Unlike naval forces in Philippines, U.S. forces here were poorly trained, equipped, and led.

Exceptions: Buffalo Soldiers (African American soldiers who fought in the Indian Wars) and Rough Riders (cavalry unit under Teddy Roosevelt’s leadership) Both groups fought in the most famous battle of the war, San Juan Hill in Cuba

Roosevelt becomes a national hero (like Jackson)

War in the Caribbean

Rough Riders take San Juan Hill

Treaty of Paris (Dec. 12,1898): ended the war; Spain gave U.S. Puerto Rico and Guam and sold Philippines to U.S. for $20M◦Plat Amendment

Most important result of the war: the rest of the world recognized the U.S. as an imperial power; U.S. becomes an imperial power.

End of the War

American Empire

Part IIU.S. as a World Power

Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines came under control of the U.S. as a result of the Spanish-American War.

Puerto Rico: becomes U.S. territory; Puerto Ricans have right to U.S. citizenship

Cuba: became a U.S. protectorate, which means a country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power .

Allowed U.S. military bases like Guantanamo Bay.

Acquiring New Lands

Treaty of Paris: provided for U.S. annexation of the country

Philippine-American War: Filipinos want freedom so they rebel for independence; U.S. steps in Spain’s shoes

Guerilla Warfare: hit and run; hid among civilians

Results: U.S. forcibly moves 1000s of civilians to designated zones; many die from starvation, poor sanitation and disease.◦ 20,000 Filipinos die fighting; 4,000 US soldiers die;

200,000 civilians die◦ Becomes a US territory, but gains independence in

1946

Philippines

Review: 1901, President McKinley assassinated and Teddy Roosevelt becomes president

Why did U.S. want Panama Canal: cut travel time between 2 oceans (strategy for defense)

2 Problems with building◦ Panama was territory of Columbia; Columbia did not

want to make a deal with U.S.◦ Disease, drain swamps, accidents

Solutions◦ US encourages/supports Panama’s independence

then cuts deal with Panama (hurt relations with Columbia)

◦ Used locks

Teddy Roosevelt and his Canal

Teddy Roosevelt

Panama Canal

Show U.S. Foreign Policy clip

From Learn 360

Latin American Loan Problems: countries got big loans from European nations and TR feared that European powers would intervene in case of default

Monroe Doctrine: TR reminded European nations of this doctrine which said European countries must stay out affairs of Latin America.

TR’s Policy in Latin America was to “Speak softly and carry a big stick”◦Meaning: be prepared to get your way by force

Roosevelt’s Policy in Latin America

Speak softly, carry a big stick

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine:

 Corollary: an additional statement  What it said: U.S. would step in and use FORCE in any Latin American country where political and economic stability was in question

Effect: It made the US into an “international police power”

Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine