What is Imperialism?

The practice of building an empire by founding or conquering other nations.

Why practice imperialism?1. Build naval bases to protect shipping.2. Raw materials for industrial growth.3. New markets to sell goods.4. National pride.

U.S. Imperialism• End of Isolationism• Alfred Thayer Mahan• The Influence of Sea

Power Upon History• Strong navy could

protect economic interests abroad

• Economic growth would increase military power.

U.S. Imperialism

U.S. Imperialism

U.S. Imperialism

• U.S. buys Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (2 cents per acre).

• People laugh at Sec. of State William Seward (call it Seward’s Folly”).

• U.S. supports American businessmen who own sugar plantations in Hawaii.

• Group overthrows Queen, installs pro-American government. U.S. annexes in 1898.

Open Door Policy in China• Countries compete

for Chinese resources.

• U.S. left out, John Hay calls for “Open Door Policy”.

• Everyone should get a piece of the “carved melon”.

Spanish American War• Cubans fighting

Spanish for Independence.

• American newspapers exaggerate stories.

• Called “yellow press” • Joseph Pulitzer – New

York World• William Randolph

Hearst – New York Journal

Spanish American War• US battleship Maine

explodes in Havana harbor.

• US declares war on Spain.

• Congress passes Teller Amendment – U.S. has no interest in taking control of Cuba.

Spanish American War• George Dewey defeats

Spanish Philippines.

• TR’s Rough Riders take San Juan Hill in Puerto Rico.

Cuban Independence

• Anti-Imperialist League• U.S. Ideals forbid U.S. from becoming

Imperialist Power.• Temporary military government installed –

Gen. Leonard Wood.• Platt Amendment – limited Cuba’s right to

make treaties, U.S. could intervene in affairs, had to lease land to U.S. for naval bases.

Panama Canal

• U.S. supports Panama’s break with Colombia.• Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty – U.S. pays $10

million, plus $250,000 per year for 99 year lease of 10-mile wide canal zone.

U.S. Foreign Policy• Roosevelt: “Speak

softly and carry a big stick”.

• Roosevelt Corollary (Monroe Doctrine) U.S. will be police force of Western Hemisphere.

U.S. Foreign Policy• Taft: dollar diplomacy• Roosevelt: U.S. would use military strength to protect

American investment in foreign countries.• Wilson: U.S. had a moral obligation to promote democracy

in Latin America.