The Spanish- American

War& American Imperialis

m1872-1912

American Imperialism

-> Imperialism is a phenomenon that usually happens when a country/culture goes through an Industrial Revolution.

-> At the end of the 19th century, this was caused by two main factors:-> A desire for new markets-> A feeling of superiority

• Imperial countries are also known as colonizers. They have industrial technology, advanced weapons, and are usually western - Europe and America.

• Countries that are colonized are usually in places that have not had an industrial revolution.

Cause: Desire for New Markets

• Imperialism is usually caused by two factors: one is a desire for new markets.

-> Imperialism is defined as the economic and political domination of a strong nation over other weaker nations.

-> At this point, most western countries had placed high tariffs (taxes) on goods they received from other countries.

• As a result, these countries looked for other places to sell their goods.

-> Many European countries looked overseas for places that would buy their products with no tariffs.

Cause: Desire for New Markets

-> At the same time, the growth of investment opportunities in western Europe had slowed-> Most of the factories, railroads, mines, etc that Europe’s economy

needed had been built - they started to “boost” the economies of countries that they colonized.

• To protect their investments, the European nations began exerting control over those territories where they spent money and sold their products.

-> Some areas became colonies.-> Others became protectorates - where the imperial power

allows the local rulers to stay in control and protected them. – In exchange for this protection, these rulers had to accept

“advice” from the Europeans as to how to run their countries.

Cause: Desire for New Markets• The United States saw that many European countries were

expanding overseas. • As the US industrialized, many US citizens wanted to take

advantage of the new imperialist world.-> Until the late 1800s, the US had been able to expand westward -

but by this point, the US stretched from coast to coast across North America.

• This meant that many Americans concluded that they too should expand overseas.

-> According to one senator, Albert Beveridge: “We are making more than we can use. Therefore, we must find new markets for our produce…new work for our labor.”

Cause: A Feeling of Superiority

• In addition to economic concerns, other key ideas convinced many Americans to encourage overseas expansion.

-> Many supporters of Social Darwinism argued that nations competed with each other politically, economically and militarily, and that only the strongest country would ultimately survive.

-> Some Americans took this idea even further - arguing that English-speaking nations had superior culture, character, and systems of government.

-> This became known as Anglo-Saxonism • It is an extension of Manifest Destiny• People believed that it was the responsibility of the white,

English-speaking races to dominate the world. This was also called the White Man’s Burden.

Expansion in the Pacific - Japan

-> Many American business leaders believed that the United States would benefit form trade with Japan.

-> Japan’s rulers, however, believed that excessive contact with the West would ruin their culture, and did not want to trade with America.

• In 1852, then-President Franklin Pierce decided to force Japan to trade with the United States.

-> Commodore Matthew C. Perry was sent to negotiate a trade treaty with Japan.

• On July 8, 1853, four American ships sailed into Tokyo Bay. The Japanese had never seen steamships before, and were impressed by the American technology.

-> Before much could happen, however, Perry and his crew were called back to the US for the Civil War.

Expansion in the Pacific - Japan

-> The Japanese government was faced with a choice:

- Industrialize/ Westernize before the

United States navy returned, and face off with them as equals.

- Stay true to their tradition and culture and risk getting colonized by the US.

• Ultimately, Japan industrialized in record time - gaining steam ships, locomotives, modern factories etc. in 50 years, Japan’s technology was suddenly equal to that of the western powers.

Expansion in the Pacific - Japan

-> Rather than becoming colonized by the United States, Japan itself became an imperialist power.– To show that it was

equal to the western countries, Japan began colonizing too.

– Japan took control of Korea, and set up imperial rule there - their goal was to conquer China.

Expansion in the Pacific - Hawaii

• As trade between America and Asian countries began to increase, many Americans became interested in Hawaii.

-> Ships traveling across the Pacific regularly stopped in Hawaii to rest and refuel.

• Missionaries and other settlers moved from America to Hawaii. Many American ships in the Pacific used Hawaii as a base of operations.

Expansion in the Pacific - Hawaii

-> Many of these early American settlers realized that the Hawaiian climate was perfect to grow sugarcane.

-> By the mid 1800s, there many sugarcane plantations had been established on the island.

• Further, when a recession struck the Hawaiian market, Americans stepped in, exempting Hawaiian sugar from costly tariffs.

Expansion in the Pacific - Hawaii

-> Later, when the American-Hawaiian trade treaty came up for renewal, the Americans insisted on exclusive trade rights.

-> Americans also demanded a naval base on the island.

• In order to keep American protection, the Hawaiians agreed to the treaty.

• Americans built a base at Pearl Harbor.-> However, not all Hawaiians were happy about this. With

the passing of the McKinley Tariff, it became more expensive to buy Hawaiian sugar, and the Hawaiian economy was in trouble.

Expansion in the Pacific - Hawaii

-> In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani ascended to the Hawaiian throne. Liliuokalani disliked the influence that American settlers had on Hawaiian citizens.

-> In January, 1893, the Queen unsuccessfully attempted to impose a new constitution that would have restored Hawaii to an older form of government.

- The Queen wanted to restore the monarchy - which would put her back in control.

Expansion in the Pacific - Hawaii

• In response, American settlers and Hawaiian sugarcane planters (who depended on American trade) attempted to overthrow the monarchy.

-> Supported by American marines, the planters overthrew the monarchy, set up a provisional government, and requested to be added as a state.

-> Hawaii would be annexed to America in 1898, but it would not become a state until 1959.

Trade and Diplomacy->The Pacific was not the only region where the United States wanted to increase its influence – it also focused on Latin America. •Most countries in Latin America bought their manufactured goods from Europe. -> American business leaders and government officials wanted to increase the sale of American goods in that region, instead of European goods. •Americans wanted Europeans to understand that America – not Europe – was the power in the region.

Pan-Americanism-> James G. Blaine was secretary of state through the 1880s, and he led early efforts to expand American influence in Latin America.•Blaine suggested that the U.S. invite the Latin American nations to a conference.•At this conference, all the nations would discuss how they could support peace and increase trade._. Pan-Americanism was a term coined to describe the United States working with Central and South America in order to support trade.-> The first Pan-American conference was held in 1889 – 17 Latin American nations attended

Pan-Americanism• The first Pan-American conference was held in 1889

– 17 Latin American nations attended.-> Blaine had two main goals for the conference.

-> Create a custom’s union between Latin America and the United States

• This would mean all countries in North and South America would have to reduce their tariffs (taxes) on imports and exports

-> Create a system for all nations in North and South America to work out their disputes peacefully without going to war

• Although most of the Latin American delegates rejected these ideas, the first Pan-American conference had one big success:-> The creation of the Pan-American Union – which works to promote cooperation between American countries.–This Union still exists today – it is called the Organization of American States (OAS)

The Sinking of the Maine

-> On the evening of February 15, 1898, an American ship anchored off the coast of Cuba exploded.-> Of the 354 officers and sailors aboard the USS Maine that night, 266 died. •No one is sure why the Maine exploded – but at the time, many Americans blamed the Spanish.•The Spanish controlled Cuba,but the Cubans were in the middle of a revolution.-> The sinking of the USS Maine is the trigger that started the Spanish- American war.

The Cuban Rebellion• Cuba was one of Spain’s

earliest colonies, and it produced 1/3rd of the world’s production of sugarcane. It was a source of a lot of money for Spain.

• In 1868, Cuban rebels declared independence.

• They launched a guerrilla war against Spanish authorities in Cuba.

• However, the rebellion did not have enough support and collapsed.

• Many of the rebels fled to the United States, and began planning another rebellion.

The Cuban Rebellion-> One of the leaders of the Cuban rebellion was José Martí. •Martí was a writer and a poet, who was passionate about Cuban independence. •He fled to New York City when the Cuban Rebellion was suppressed.-> While in NYC, Martí gathered supporters, raised money, and trained troops. Martí was planning to invade Cuba and take it for the rebels. -> Martí and his followers launched a new rebellion in February 1895. -> This time, the rebels were successful. The Republic of Cuba was established in September 1895.

Americans Support Cuba• When the Cuban Rebellion began, Pres. Grover

Cleveland declared that the U.S. was neutral.• However, many American citizens supported Cuba.-> Two major newspapers also published many stories

about the problems the Cubans were facing. -> The New York Journal – owned by William Randolph Hearst-> New York World – owned by Joseph Pulitzer

• These two newspapers were competing for readers, and so they would greatly exaggerate their stories.

-> These exaggerations became known as yellow journalism.

Americans Support Cuba• Although the press invented sensational stories to sell more

papers, there is no doubt that the Cuban people did suffer horribly.

-> The Spanish dispatched 200,000 troops to the island to put down the rebellion.

-> General Valeriano Weyler (aka The Butcher) was appointed to serve as governor.

• Weyler wanted to make sure that no Cuban villagers joined the rebels.

-> Weyler herded hundreds of thousands of men, women and children into “reconcentration camps” where many died from starvation and disease.

Americans Support Cuba• News reports of the treatment of these Cuban citizens helped

spur American support for the Cuban Rebellion.• Most Americans wanted to go to war with Spain. -> In 1897, Republican William McKinley became President of

the United States. -> McKinley did not want war, and instead tried to negotiate with

Spain.-> Pressured by McKinley, the Spanish removed Weyler from

power, and offered Cuba autonomy.– This would give Cuba its own government, but they would still remain a

part of the Spanish empire.

• Cuban rebels refused to negotiate – they wanted full independence, and would not compromise.

Americans Support Cuba• McKinley still did not want to

declare war, however, Congress authorized the president to spend$50 million on war preparation.

-> Throughout America, people called “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!”

-> Many, including McKinley’s own Vice President, Teddy Roosevelt, were furious that he would not declare war.– Roosevelt said McKinley had “no more backbone than a chocolate

éclair.”

-> Finally, on April 11, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain.

• For the first time in 50 years, the United States was involved in war with another country.

Spanish-American War• The United States had an advantage from the very

beginning.-> The Spanish in Cuba had been fighting for months, and

were tired, and weak. Many suffered from tropical diseases.

-> The Spanish warships were also in bad shape, and their crews were not well trained.

-> In contrast, the Americans had more battleships, and a fresh navy.

• Reinforcements for the Americans also had to travel far less to get to their destinations.

-> The United States knew that if they could defeat Spain at sea, the Spanish would not be able to get supplies to their troops in Cuba, and would have to surrender.

Spanish-American War• The United States Takes the Philippines• As part of the naval war, United States ships based in

Hong Kong (controlled by the USA’s ally, Britain) attacked the Spanish-controlled Philippines.

• George Dewey led his squadron into battle.-> Dewey and his fleet outnumbered

and outgunned the Spanish fleet, and were ready to take the Philippine land.

• Pres. McKinley was surprised – Dewey’s victory was so quick that he did not yet have extra troops to send.

-> Dewey called on Filipino rebels, led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

Spanish-American War• The United States Takes the Philippines• Dewey called on Filipino rebels, led by Emilio Aguinaldo

to help overthrow the Spanish rulers in the Philippines.-> Aguinaldo was happy to help at first, however, he soon

realized that the United States troops were not fighting for Philippine independence.

• When U.S. troops arrived at the Philippines (having taken over Guam on the way), they did not let the Filipino rebels help take the capital city.

-> Americans also refused to recognize the rebel government.

-> Relations between the U.S. troops and the Filipino rebels became more and more tense.

Spanish-American War• Battle in Cuba• On June 14, 1898, a force of about 17,000 American

troops landed on the shores of Cuba.-> The beach was protected by powerful shore-based

guns, and the American plan was to capture these

guns and use them to drive away the Spanish ships.

• American foot soldiers and cavalry led this portion of the war.

Spanish-American War• Among the American troops

advancing toward Santiago, Cuba (where many Spanish were stationed) were the Rough Riders.

-> The Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry unit from the American West.

• They were led by Colonel Leonard Wood.

-> Second in command was then- secretary of the navy future president, Teddy Roosevelt.

• The Rough Riders were flamboyant, and showy, but they were also well trained.

-> The Rough Riders, along with other American troops, helped to take major cities throughout Cuba.

Spanish-American War-> The Rough Riders helped to capture Kettle Hill – an important strategic location.•However, they were not alone. •The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments helped take Kettle Hill as well.-> The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were unique – they were the first all-black cavalry regiments in history.•Overall, one-fourth of the American troops fighting in Cuba were African-American.-> These soldiers were often nicknamed Buffalo Soldiers.

Spanish-American War• After American victories at El Caney and the San Juan

Heights, the Spanish commander in Santiago panicked.

-> The commander ordered all of the Spanish ships to flee.

-> As the Spanish ships raced out of the harbor, they were met by the American navy.

-> In the battle, every Spanish ship was sunk or beached.• Two weeks later, the city of Santiago was surrendered

to the Americans.-> On August 12, 1898, Spain and the United States

agreed to a cease fire.• The Spanish-American war was over.

Spanish-American War - Results

-> The United States and Spain signed a peace treaty-> Cuba would be given its freedom-> The United States would annex Guam and Puerto Rico -

these would now be United States territories.

• The big question was: What to do with the Philippines?

The Filipino Question:

Option 1: Remain true to Republican/Democratic ideals, and grant the Philippines its freedom

Option 2: Become an imperial power and take over the Philippines, monopolizing its resources.

Do Now: Which course of action do you think the United States should take? Why?

Decide on either option 1 or 2 and cast your vote on the board.

The Filipino Question• The argument for annexation:

– Economic and military benefits of adding the islands as a territory

– Provide the U.S. a military base in Asia– Large market for American goods– American responsibility to teach “less civilized” people how to

live (White Man’s burden)

• The argument against annexation:– Cost of an empire outweighs its benefits– Competition with cheap Filipino labor will drive down American

wages– Imperialism violates United States principles of freedom,

independence, and representation.

The Filipino Question• McKinley ultimately decided…

• The United States paid Spain $20 million for the Philippines.

-> The United States now has islands around the world - Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Now the USA is an imperial power.

“We could not leave [the Filipinos] to themselves - they were unfit for self government… and there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and to uplift and civilize and Christianize them.”

What do You Think?1. What was your original opinion? (from the in-class

activity). Did you vote for Filipino independence, or for the U.S. to add the islands as a territory?

2. After going over the pros and cons of annexing the Philippines as a territory, did your opinion change? Why or why not?

3. What did President McKinley ultimately decide?4. Why did he make this decision? What was his

reasoning?5. Do you think McKinley made the right decision? Why

or why not?

The Philippine-American War

• The United States learned that controlling its new empire would not be easy.

-> Emilio Aguinaldo called the American annexation of the Philippines a “violent and aggressive seizure”.

-> Aguinaldo and his troops continued to fight for their freedom – instead of fighting the Spanish, they were now fighting the new American invaders.

• The Filipinos engaged in guerilla warfare against the Americans.

-> General Arthur MacArthur was given the job of keeping the Filipinos in line.

The Philippine-American War

-> Arthur MacArthur decided that the best way to control the rebellious Filipinos was to take a page out of Spain’s book…-> MacArthur set up reconcentration camps to separate guerillas from civilians.-> These camps were designed to punish rebels, and to keep civilians from joining the rebels.

•Most Filipinos hated American rule. •Aguinaldo continued to lead his rebellion for 3 years.

How is this like what Spain did in Cuba?How is it different?

The Philippine-American War

• Not all Americans treated the Filipinos poorly.-> William Howard Taft was made the

American governor of the Philippines.-> Taft initiated several new measures:

-> Reforming the Filipino education system, and creating public schools-> Helping with transportation advances

• Railroads, bridges, and telegraph lines helped ease communication, and strengthened the Filipino economy

-> Creating a system for health care• New hospitals virtually eliminated deaths from cholera

and smallpox• These reforms slowly reduced Filipino hostility toward

Americans.

Changes in the Philippines

• In March 1901, American troops captured Aguinaldo.• The following month, Aguinaldo called on the guerrillas to

surrender to the Americans.• By the summer of 1902, the United States declared that

hostilities in the Philippines were at an end.

Eventually…-The United States would allow Filipinos more control in their own government-By the mid 1930s, the Filipinos were allowed to elect their own government leaders.-In 1946, the Philippines were granted their independence by America

Puerto Rico-> In 1900, Congress passed the Foraker Act •This officially added Puerto Rico as an unincorporated territory•What does this mean?

-> Puerto Ricans have no constitutional rights

-> Puerto Ricans are not United States Citizens

-> The United States Congress can pass any laws it wants in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico• Over time, like in the Philippines, Puerto Ricans gained

more and more rights.• 1917: anyone born in Puerto Rico is officially a citizen

of the United States• 1947: Puerto Ricans can elect their own government

(within Puerto Rico)• 2012: Puerto Ricans vote to decide the issue: will they

apply for statehood?

The 2012 results are unclear. Many Puerto Ricans want the island to become a state, but many do not.

Why would there be two sides of this issue? What are the pros and cons of statehood?

Issues in Cuba• Although following the Spanish-American War, Cuba was

granted its independence, the United States still had a lot of control there.

-> The United States forced the Cubans to agree to the Platt Amendment (added to their new constitution)

• The Platt Amendment said:-> 1. Cuba can not make any treaty with another country that will allow other countries to gain territory in Cuba-> 2. Cuba has to allow the United States to have naval stations in Cuba-> 3. Cuba’s debts must be kept low to prevent foreign countries from having an excuse to invade-> 4. The United States would have the right to intervene to “protect Cuban independence and keep order”.

Issues in Cuba• Most Cubans did not agree with the Platt

Amendment.• However, they realized that this was the only

way to keep the United States happy, and prevent war.

• Even though Cuba technically had its independence, the United States had a huge amount of control over Cuba

-> The Platt Amendment effectively made Cuba an American protectorate

Teddy Roosevelt• The election of 1900 was a victory

for McKinley.-> Roosevelt was McKinley’s running

mate – the vice presidential candidate running alongside him.

-> Roosevelt had been picked as McKinley’s running mate because Roosevelt was popular.

• He had gained fame during the Spanish-American War, and he was charismatic, and heroic.

• Though Roosevelt had won the vice presidency, the position was relatively powerless.

• No one planned on Roosevelt becoming President.

Teddy Roosevelt-> On Sept. 6, 1901, President McKinley was assassinated.•Leon Czlogosz (pronounced Choal-gosh) was an anarchist, who opposedall forms of government.-> Czlogosz fired two shots at McKinley. McKinley would die of his wounds two days later.-> Teddy Roosevelt became the youngest President in United States history – only 42 years old.-> Many people thought Roosevelt would be a bad president – that he would make too many changes, or that he didn’t know enough about politics.•Republican senator Mark Hanna said, “Now look, that damned cowboy is President of the United States!”

Teddy Roosevelt• Roosevelt planned to expand American power around the

world.-> Under McKinley, the United States had gained several

new territories: Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The United States also controlled Cuba (though Cuba was technically independent).

• Roosevelt wanted to expand American influence even more.

-> Roosevelt believed in Anglo-Saxonism, an extension of the idea of the “white man’s burden”. What does this mean?

This means that Roosevelt, like many Americans at the time, believed that the United States had a “duty” to shape the “less civilized” corners of the globe.

Teddy Roosevelt - Asia-> Roosevelt planned to increase trade between the United States and Asia.-> Thanks to new territories in the Pacific Ocean (Hawaii, Philippines), the United States had better access to these Asian markets.•Many American business owners were excited by the idea of trade with Asia – this was a new market for their goods, and they could make a lot of money!

Teddy Roosevelt – Open Door Policy

• Political Background:– 1894: Japan and China go to war. Japan is victorious, and

responds by conquering Korea and parts of China.– 1898: Russia responds by demanding that China lease territory

to Russia.– Many other Western countries follow suit – asking for leases of

Chinese land.• The United States was bothered by the idea of leasing land.-> Most Americans supported an Open Door Policy.-> An Open Door Policy would mean that all countries could trade

equally with China.– If some countries were allowed to lease Chinese land, this would

limit trading opportunities, and allow these countries to dominate the trade in these areas.

-> Secretary of State John Hay managed to get all leaseholders in China to agree not to discriminate when it came to trade.

-> This ensured that there would be a market for American goods in Asia, no matter what country was in control.

Teddy Roosevelt – Balancing Power

• Roosevelt faced several political issues in Asia, and worked to ensure that America maintained rights to trade.

-> The Boxer Rebellion broke out in China in 1900.-> The goal of these Rebels was to remove foreign influence in China. –United States troops stepped in and stopped the rebellion.

-> Because of the Boxer Rebellion, many European leaders wanted to split China into colonies.

-> Secretary of State John Hay convinced the European leaders not to do this.

- If China were divided up, America might lose access to Chinese markets.

- By convincing the European leaders otherwise, Hay ensured Americans could keep trading in China.

Teddy Roosevelt – Balancing Power

• Roosevelt’s goal with the Open Door Policy was simple. -> He wanted to prevent any one nation from monopolizing

trade in Asia. -> Because of this, Roosevelt would help negotiate an end

to the Russo-Japanese War (which would gain him a Nobel Peace Prize)

• Roosevelt also sent 16 battleships around the world to demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s power.

This Great White Fleet stopped in Japan, to show the Japanese that the United States would protect its “interests” in Asia through force if needed.

Teddy Roosevelt – Central America

• In 1903, Roosevelt acquired access to land in Panama.

-> In 1901, the USA and Great Britain signed the Hay- Pauncefote Treaty. This gave the USA rights to build and control any future canal through South America.

• At first, Roosevelt encountered some problems.– Panama was still part of Columbia, and

the Columbians thought the American offer to rent the land for the canal was too low.

– November 3, 1903, Panamanians revolted against their Columbian government.

-> By late November, 1903, the USA had rights to build the Panama Canal.

Roosevelt Corollary• Roosevelt wanted to expand his

“big stick” diplomacy.-> “Big stick” diplomacy came from

a Roosevelt quote:

-> The Roosevelt Corollary stated that the United states would intervene in Latin American affairs when necessary.

-> The goal was to “maintain economic and political stability in the Western Hemisphere”.

“Speak softly, and carry a big stick”.

What does this mean?

Roosevelt in the USA• Roosevelt was also interested in issues “at home”.-> He was a strong proponent of “social welfare” –

ensuring food products were safe to eat, and that working conditions were safe.

• Roosevelt also authorized the use of federal funds to help irrigate (give water to) western states.

-> Roosevelt supported conservation of natural resources, and forests.

-> Thanks to Roosevelt, the Agriculture department could inspect food, the Bureau of Corporations could monitor business and the attorney general could bring lawsuits more quickly.

Review for Test• McKinley – Roosevelt assignment