Imperialism: America Claims an Empire
Source: The Americans Cd-Rom
Overview:
Global competition (especially with European nations) causes the United States to expand
its influence and territory (especially in Latin America), engage in conflicts around the
globe, and build the Panama Canal.
Section 1: Imperialism and America
Beginning in 1867 and continuing through the rest of the 1800’s, global competition causes
the United States to expand its power and territory around the world.
A. Four (4) Reasons For U.S. Imperialism/Expansionism (“MMCC”)
Identify the four reasons that are identified by your textbook (see pages 342-344). Use the mnemonic
device “MMCC” to help you remember these reasons.
1. Markets (the desire for new):
a. U.S. farms, factories produce more than Americans can consume
b. U.S. needs raw materials, new markets for goods
1. caused U.S. to want additional markets in which to sell its goods
a. increased foreign trade = solution to overproduction, unemployment,
depression
2. Military (the desire to expand and use):
a. Admiral Alfred T. Mahan urges U.S. to build up navy to compete with imperial European
nations
b. U.S. builds modern battleships, becomes third largest naval power
c. we believe we need islands in the Pacific as refueling stations and military bases
1. will bring the U.S. nearer to Asian markets
3. Competition (with Europe):
a. Imperialism—policy of extending control (economic, political, military, etc.) over weaker
nations
b. In 1800s, Europeans divide up most of Africa, compete for China
c. Japan joins race for China; U.S. decides to expand overseas
4. Cultural superiority (feelings of):
a. Some Americans combine Social Darwinism and the belief in the superiority of White Anglo-
Saxons Protestants (“WASP’s)
b. Argue U.S. has duty to Christianize, civilize “inferior peoples”
B. The United States Acquires (Buys) Alaska
1. Early Expansion
a. William Seward—Secretary of State under Lincoln, Johnson
b. 1867, arranges purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million
1. many see the purchase as a mistake – they mistakenly believe that Alaska is only
home to cold and ice
2. the reality is that Alaska is full of timber, wildlife, and fish and valuable minerals and
deposits of oil.
C. The United States Takes Hawaii
1.The Desire for Annexation (adding it to the U.S.)
a. Hawaii was attractive because it was a useful refueling station for ships, it had great
harbors, and a valuable resource in the form of sugar.
b. Hawaii’s economy, based on sugar production, soon became dependent upon
America as its main customer. In 1890, the McKinley Tariff destroyed the Hawaiian economy
by protecting U.S. sugar producers.
c. Sugar producers overthrew the Hawaiian queen and pushed for annexation so that the tariff
would no longer apply to Hawaiian sugar (because it would no longer be a “foreign” product). 1. This eventually resulted in annexation of the island – that is, making it a territory of
the U.S.
2. becomes territory in 1898; becomes state in 1959
Section 2: The Spanish-American War
In 1898, the United States goes to war to help Cuba win its independence from
Spain.
A. Cubans Rebel Against Spain
1. Cubans, who had suffered economically and politically at the hands of their Spanish rulers, revolted
against Spain in 1895;
a. fighting on the island destroys American-owned sugar mills, plantations
b. U.S. public opinion split:
1. business wants to support Spain
2. others want the Cuban people to win independence
B. War Fever Escalates (Rises)
1. Spain’s Response
a. Spain’s response was harsh; Gen. Valeriano Weyler put many rebels and Cuban citizens
(300,000 of them) in crowded prison camps (reconcentration camps); many died of hunger
& disease.
2. Headline Wars
a. Yellow journalism — the use of sensational writing styles by newspaper writers and editors; 1. done in an effort to increase readership;
a. competing papers owned by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer used
yellow journalism, and provide inaccurate stories about the prisons
2. the yellow journalism appealed to the reader’s emotions instead of their intellect;
made people horrified; made them feel like they couldn’t just stand-by and let these
events occur 90 miles away.
3. brought Americans to the brink of war.
3. The de Lôme Letter
a. Headlines increase American sympathy for independent Cuba
b. President McKinley wants to avoid war, tries diplomacy to resolve crisis
c. Private letter by Spanish minister (diplomat) Enrique Dupuy de Lôme is intercepted, sent to the
yellow journalistic newspapers, and published
1. de Lôme calls President McKinley “weak”, say he is swayed by the public’s opinion (not
really a leader)
d. Spain apologizes, de Lôme resigns; American public still angry
4. The U.S.S. Maine Explodes
a. a battleship that had been sent to Havana, Cuba to protect American citizens and businesses
on the island
b. The Maine exploded in Havana Harbor.
c. Yellow journalists blamed it on the Spanish claiming it was a mine, bomb, etc..
1. None of the accusations were ever proven. It really didn’t matter, though, because
Americans believed the papers and were convinced the Spanish did it.
d. The public called for war!
- (years later it was proven that the explosion was accidental)
C. War with Spain Erupts
1. The U.S. Declares War
a. Spain agrees to most U.S. demands, public opinion still favors war
b. U.S. declares war April 1898
2. The War in the Philippines
a. First battle with Spain occurs in Spanish colony of the Philippines
b. U.S. Navy destroys Spanish fleet in Manila harbor
c. Filipinos support the American troops
d. August 1898, Spanish troops in Manila surrender to U.S.
3. The War in the Caribbean
a. U.S. blockades Cuba
b. Unlike navy, U.S. army has small professional force, many volunteers
1. volunteers ill-prepared, ill-supplied
4. Rough Riders
a. Rough Riders—Theodore Roosevelt (among others) lead volunteer cavalry
b. Roosevelt declared hero of attack on strategic San Juan Hill
c. Spanish fleet tries to escape blockade, is destroyed in naval battle
d. U.S. troops invade Puerto Rico soon after
5. Treaty of Paris
a. Spain, U.S. sign armistice (a cease-fire) in August 1898; meet in Paris to make treaty
b. Spain frees Cuba; hands Guam, Puerto Rico to U.S.; sells Philippines to U.S. for $20 million
6. Debate over the Treaty
a. Treaty of Paris touches off great debate over imperialism
b. McKinley tries to justify annexation of Philippines on moral grounds
c. Opponents give political, moral, economic arguments against
Section 3: Acquiring New Lands
In the early 1900s, the United States engages in conflicts in Puerto Rico, Cuba,
and the Philippines.
From 1900 to 1915, the basic goal of the U.S.’ foreign policy was to expand its power and influence in Latin America.
A. Ruling Puerto Rico
1. Military Rule
a. During Spanish-American War, General Nelson A. Miles occupies island
b. Puerto Rico under military control
c. People split on independence, statehood, self-government under U.S.
2. Return to Civil Government
a. PR strategic as post in Caribbean, for protection of future canal
b. 1900, Foraker Act sets up civil government
1. president appoints governor, upper house
c. 1917, Puerto Ricans made U.S. citizens; elect both houses
B. Cuba and the United States
1. American Soldiers
a. U.S. recognizes Cuban independence from Spain
b. Teller Amendment says U.S. has no intention of taking over Cuba
c. After war U.S. occupies Cuba; has same officials in office as Spain
1. Cuban protestors imprisoned or exiled
d. American military government helps rebuild the country
2. Platt Amendment
a. U.S. makes Cuba add Platt Amendment to its 1901 constitution
b. Platt Amendment does not allow Cuba to go into debt; also stipulates
1. no treaties that let foreign power control land
2. U.S. has right to intervene
3. U.S. can buy, lease land for navy
c. Protectorate—country whose affairs partly controlled by stronger one
3. Protecting American Business Interests
a. U.S. wants strong political presence to protect American businesses
b. Some object to colonial entanglements, do not think colonies needed
c. U.S. state department continues to push for control of Latin America
C. Filipinos Rebel
1. Philippine-American War
a. Filipinos outraged at Treaty of Paris call for annexation
b. 1899, Emilio Aguinaldo leads fight for independence against U.S.
c. U.S. forces Filipinos to live in designated zones in poor conditions
1. white U.S. soldiers see Filipinos as inferior
2. black troops troubled at spreading prejudice
d. 20,000 Filipinos die in fight for independence
2. Aftermath of the War
a. U.S. president appoints governor who appoints upper house
1. people elect lower house
b. July 4, 1946, Philippines become independent
D. Foreign Influence in China
1. U.S. Interest in China
a. U.S. sees China as vast potential market, investment opportunity
b. France, Britain, Japan, Russia have settlements, spheres of influence
2. John Hay’s Open Door Notes
a. U.S. Secretary of State John Hay issues Open Door notes
b. Notes ask imperialist nations to share trading rights with U.S.
c. Other powers reluctantly agree
3. The Boxer Rebellion in China
a. Europeans dominate most large Chinese cities
b. Chinese form secret societies, including Boxers, to expel foreigners
c. Boxers kill hundreds of foreigners, Chinese converts to Christianity
d. U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Japan put down Boxer Rebellion
4. Protecting American Rights
a. Hay issues new Open Door notes saying U. S. will keep trade open
b. Open Door policy reflects beliefs about U.S. economy:
1. growth depends on exports
2. U.S. has right to keep markets open
3. closing of area threatens U.S. survival
E. The Impact of U.S. Territorial Gains
1. The Anti-Imperialist League
a. McKinley’s reelection confirms most Americans favor imperialism
b. Anti-Imperialist League has prominent people from different fields
c. For various reasons, agree wrong to rule others without their consent
Section 4: America as a World Power
- The Russo-Japanese War, the Panama Canal, and the Mexican Revolution add
to America’s military and economic power.
- From 1900 to 1915, the basic aim (goal) of the U.S. foreign policy was to increase its
influence in – and over – Latin American (Mexico, Central, and South America).
A. Teddy Roosevelt and the World
1. Roosevelt the Peacemaker
a. Roosevelt does not want Europeans to control world economy, politics
b. 1904, Japan, Russia dispute control of Korea
c. Roosevelt negotiates Treaty of Portsmouth:
1. Japan gets Manchuria, Korea
2. Roosevelt wins Nobel Peace Prize
d. U.S., Japan continue diplomatic talks
1. pledge to respect each other’s possessions
2. Panama Canal
a. U.S. wants canal to cut travel time of commercial, military ships
b. U.S. buys French company’s route through Panama
c. Negotiates with Colombia to build Panama Canal; talks break down
d. French company agent helps organize Panamanian rebellion
1. U.S. gives military aid
e. U.S., Panama sign treaty; U.S. pays $10 million for Canal Zone
3. Constructing the Canal
a. Construction of canal is one of world’s greatest engineering feats
1. fight diseases, geographic obstacles
2. at height, 43,400 workers employed
4. The Roosevelt Corollary
a. Roosevelt fears European intervention if Latin America defaults
b. Reminds Europeans of Monroe Doctrine, demands they stay out
c. Roosevelt Corollary—U. S. to use force to protect economic interests
5. Dollar Diplomacy
a. Early 1900s, U.S. exercises police power on several occasions
b. Dollar diplomacy—U.S. guarantees foreign loans by U.S. business
B. Woodrow Wilson’s Missionary Diplomacy
1. The Mexican Revolution
a. Missionary diplomacy—U.S. has moral responsibility:
1. will not recognize regimes that are oppressive, undemocratic
b. Under dictator Porfirio Díaz, much U.S. investment in Mexico
c. 1911, peasants, workers led by Francisco Madero overthrow Díaz
d. General Victoriano Huerta takes over government; Madero is murdered
e. Wilson refuses to recognize Huerta’s government
2. Intervention in Mexico
a. Huerta’s officers arrest U.S. sailors, quickly release them
b. Wilson orders Marines to occupy Veracruz
c. Argentina, Brazil, Chile mediate to avoid war
d. Huerta regime falls; nationalist Venustiano Carranza new president
3. Rebellion in Mexico
a. Francisco “Pancho” Villa, Emiliano Zapata oppose Carranza
1. Zapata wants land reform
2. Villa a fierce nationalist
b. Wilson recognizes Carranza’s government; Villa threatens reprisals
1. Villa’s men kill Americans
4. Chasing Villa
a. Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing leads force to capture Villa
b. Carranza demands withdrawal of U.S. troops; Wilson at first refuses
c. U.S. faces war in Europe, wants peace on southern border
1. Wilson orders Pershing home
d. Mexico adopts new constitution:
1. government controls oil, minerals
2. restricts foreign investors
e. 1920, Alvaro Obregón new president; ends civil war, starts reforms