Imperialism
Imperialism (def.) The policy of extending the rule of one country over other countries or colonies, usually in order to control raw materials, markets, or military bases.
American Foreign Policy -- 19th Century
Monroe Doctrine--US opposed European colonization and political interference in the western Hemisphere
Avoid Alliances through non-involvement
Monroe Doctrine --Used in two conflicts involving Mexico and Venezuela. Inability of European nations to challenge the US establish the validity of the doctrine.
Difference between Imperialism and Manifest Destiny?
American Manifest Destiny possibly would have continued if not for the Civil War.
US Expansion before 1900
Alaska 1867 -- Sewards Folly 7.2 MillionMidway Islands 1867 --Coaling StationHawaii 1891 -- Queen Liluokalani (annex 1898)American Samoa 1878 - 1899 -- Pago PagoRationale for Expansion
Frederick Jackson TurnerThe principle of the frontierAvailability of free land enabled Americans to move westAmerica needed to expand to have a New FrontierAdmiral Alfred MahanHave a strong NavyBuild a canal across central AmericaAnnex Hawaii to establish a naval baseJosiah StrongDarwins Theory--survival of the fittest.Belief--White race divinely chosen to Christianize the worldThe Spanish American War
Jingoism -- extreme national pride.
Yellow Journalism --Shaped public opinion.
Joseph Pulitzer -- New York World
William Randolph Hearst -- New York Journal
Americans--large sum of money invested into Cuba in the Sugar Plantations.
America sent the USS Maine to Havana Harbor to protect American interest. Exploded 2/15/1898.
McKinley -- unwilling to start a war.
Offered a peace settlement.
Spain rejected--claiming nothing to do with the Maine
Theodore Roosevelt-Assistant Sec. of the Navy, contacted Commodore George Dewey. In case of war--Dewey was to attack the Manila Harbor in the Philippines. When war was declared, Dewey carried out his orders.
200,000 Americans Volunteered. (Jingoism)
Roosevelt resigned naval position -- formed the Rough Riders for San Juan Hill.
August 12, 1898, America took Puerto Rico
The USS Maine
February 15, 1898 USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor
USS Maine Captain Sigsbee
New Your Journal (Hearst) took great liberties with reporting the facts of the incident.
Yellow Journalism -- shaped public opinion
US called for a formal hearing Captian Sigsbee was held in high regard by American government. Sigsbee was allowed to sit in on the panel during the questioning of witnesses.
260 Killed
90 Survived
Key Question: Was the explosion internal or external?
Some evidence lent credence to the theory of an external explosion, but the court had no real access to the ship.
Spanish investigation turned up evidence against external explosion.
Second US investigation in 1911 dry-docked area to study the ship. US discovered the original investigation was slipshod.
Admiral Rickover (1976) determined that the explosion was internal and a result of spontaneous combustion from coal.
Explosion of the USS Maine gave America a reason to declare war.
Treaty of Paris 1898
Sec. of State John Hay "A splendid little war"
1.Cuba became Independent
2.Spain gave Puerto Rico and Guam to the US
3.US would pay Spain $20 million for the Philippine Islands
Platt Amendment (1902) Limited Cuban Independence when. . .
1.US reserved the right for Naval Bases on Cuba (Guantanomo Bay)
2.US reserved the right to intervene militarily
Impact of the Treaty of Paris 1898 on . . .
Puerto Rico
1900 US passes Foraker Act
1.made Puerto Rico a territory (no citizenship)
2.gave the President to power to appt. a governor and legislature
3.Insular Case Does the Constitution follow the Flag?
NO! (very limited constitutional rights)
4.1917 made Puerto Ricans citizens
Philippines Trading Spanish rule for US rule . . .
1.3 year war between Filipinos and US
2.Led by Emilio Aguinaldo
3.President Taft appointed military governor
China and the Open Door Policy
US saw Philippines as a gateway to China
1."Sick man of Asia" Qing Dynasty was crumbling
2.John Hay "Open Door Policy" (1899)
Sphere of Influence US pressured European nations to
accept China's independence and allow all to trade.
3.Boxer Rebellion secret society rebelled against "foreign devils"
(hatred of foreigners) Anti-Christian - US and Europe joined
together to put down the rebellion.
4.Increased America's power.
Japan Commodore Matthew Perry establishes "Open Door"
As a result,
1.Japan became industrialized
2.War with China (acquired Taiwan)
3.Annexed Korea
4.Started a War with Russia
US- Japanese relations become strained
America feared losing influence in Asia
1.Roosevelt and the Russo-Japanese Peace Treaty
2.Japan resented America's intervention
3.Led to attack on Pearl Harbor
