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Unit Seven: America Grows Too Big for It’s Pants
As American fulfilled its Manifest Destiny by expanding from sea to sea, the United States began to feel the need
to stretch its wings further. America wanted to imperialize (stronger countries take over a weaker country) just like the
European Nations. The United States began its imperial goals with the Monroe Doctrine that warned all European
countries that if they “messed” with Latin America, they would have to contend with the United States. Many years later,
under the direction of Secretary of State William Seward, the U.S. purchased the Alaskan territory from Russia in 1867.
Americans jokily referred to it as Seward’s Folly, because, at the time, they didn’t think Alaska would be useful for the
nation. Other imperialists advocated for the annexation of Hawaii. Years before, the Queen of Hawaii, Queen
Liliuokalani, was overthrown by an American coup. Under President William McKinley, the United States Congress
voted to annex Hawaii in 1898. The imperialistic spirit was fueled by the belief that Americans had a Moral Mission,
meaning that the Angelo-Saxon Race of the United States was better than any other on the planet, to “civilize” the people
across the globe. All the United States needed was a chance to spread its wings.
This was realized in the Spanish-American war. As a dying world power, Spain was attempting to keep its
Cuban colony form revolting in a similar way that the United States had revolted against Great Britain. U.S. President
McKinley seemed to want to avoid war, but there were others who would oppose him. Alfred T. Mahan, the author of
the Influence of Sea Power upon History, advocated for the expansion of the American Navy around the world. In order to
do this, America would need to gain more overseas colonies and a war with Spain would provide this. Theodore
Roosevelt, a Senator, also called for the U.S.’s entrance into the war. Roosevelt said the Monroe Doctrine made it
America’s duty to help Latin America. But perhaps the most influential in gaining support for the war were two powerful
American newspaper publishers, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. These two publishers were big
supporters of Yellow Journalism, sensational newspaper articles and exaggerated headlines used to excite the American
public. It would be, in the end, Yellow Journalism that launched Americans to pressure McKinley for war.
In 1898, President McKinley sent the U.S. Battleship, the Maine, to protect Americans located in Cuba. The
Yellow Journalists published a comment from Spain that called President McKinley a fool. A few days later the U.S.S.
Maine mysteriously exploded. Yellow journalists sensationalized the news and the war hawks began calling for war.
Congress declared war on Spain, and passed the Volunteer Army Act which created what came to be known as the Rough
Riders. Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt became an important leader of the Rough Riders and ultimately a war hero.
Congress also passed the Teller Amendment that guaranteed if the U.S. defeated Spain the U.S. would liberate Cuba and
not occupy or stay in Cuba. But before the war could be fought in Cuba, the United States attacked Spain in the
Philippines, a Spanish Colony. Led by Admiral Dewey, they sank all the Spanish ships and there were no American
losses. The war continued on to Puerto Rico and eventually to Cuba. The Spanish surrendered to the Americans. The
“Splendid Little War” had officially ended with Spain’s defeat. Peace negotiations were completed under the Treaty of
Paris 1898. The Treaty guaranteed the U.S. presence in the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The acquisition of
these colonies gave the U.S. the stepping stones to becoming a world power. In response to the U.S. securing the
Philippines, the Anti-Imperialist League was created and included people who were against the U.S. gaining other
territories. But, America was on a path of expansion and the Platt Amendment would only add on to its imperialistic
spirit. The Platt Amendment was proposed and passed in Congress. It Removed American troops from Cuba, but gave the
Americans the use of one military base called Guantanamo Bay. It also forbid Cuba from going to other countries for
help.
As America’s strength grew, she realized the need for a canal that would connect the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
President Teddy Roosevelt came into office determined to make this happen. He helped the country of Panama revolt
against Colombian rule. Once Panama got its freedom, Teddy Roosevelt ensured that the Panama Canal would be built
and the United States would pay for the canal and its lease as well as protect Panama in return for ht building and
controlling of the canal.
Roosevelt was not a fool when it came to foreign relations. His policy aligned with his favorite African proverb,
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” It is out of this we get his “big stick” diplomacy. He uses this
type of diplomacy in his Roosevelt Corollary, which adds to the Monroe Doctrine when it said that the United States had
international police power over its spheres of influences or places the U.S. reached out to especially Latin America.
Roosevelt also increased our navy and it was nicknamed “the Great white fleet”.
In an attempt to fight the Americans expanding nature, a Mexicans Emilio Zapata and Pancho Villa launched a
series of raids against the Americans. Villa wan eventually assassinated as he entered into turbulent Mexican politics.
American also expanded economically with the passage of the Open Door Policy with China that would allow
trade to begin between China and the U.S. It was true that America was expanding as fare as the eye could see.
Unit Seven: America Grows Too Big for It’s Pants
As American fulfilled its _______________________ by expanding from sea to sea, the United States began to
feel the need to stretch its wings further. America wanted to imperialize (stronger countries take over a weaker country)
just like the European Nations. The United States began its imperial goals with the Monroe Doctrine that warned all
European countries that if they “messed” with Latin America, they would have to contend with the United States. Many
years later, under the direction of Secretary of State _____________________, the U.S. purchased the Alaskan territory
from Russia in 1867. Americans jokily referred to it as ___________________, because, at the time, they didn’t think
Alaska would be useful for the nation. Other imperialists advocated for the annexation of ____________. Years before,
the Queen of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani, was overthrown by an American coup. Under President William McKinley, the
United States Congress voted to annex Hawaii in 1898. The imperialistic spirit was fueled by the belief that Americans
had a Moral Mission, meaning that the Angelo-Saxon Race of the United States was better than any other on the planet, to
“civilize” the people across the globe. All the United States needed was a chance to spread its wings.
This was realized in the __________________________. As a dying world power, Spain was attempting to keep
its Cuban colony form revolting in a similar way that the United States had revolted against Great Britain. U.S. President
McKinley seemed to want to avoid war, but there were others who would oppose him. __________________, the author
of the Influence of Sea Power upon History, advocated for the expansion of the American Navy around the world. In order
to do this, America would need to gain more overseas colonies and a war with Spain would provide this. Theodore
Roosevelt, a Senator, also called for the U.S.’s entrance into the war. Roosevelt said the Monroe Doctrine made it
America’s duty to help Latin America. But perhaps the most influential in gaining support for the war were two powerful
American newspaper publishers, __________________________ and _________________________. These two
publishers were big supporters of _______________________, sensational newspaper articles and exaggerated headlines
used to excite the American public. It would be, in the end, Yellow Journalism that launched Americans to pressure
McKinley for war.
In 1898, President McKinley sent the U.S. Battleship, the __________________, to protect Americans located in
Cuba. The Yellow Journalists published a comment from Spain that called President McKinley a fool. A few days later
the U.S.S. Maine mysteriously exploded. Yellow journalists sensationalized the news and the war hawks began calling for
war. Congress declared war on Spain, and passed the Volunteer Army Act which created what came to be known as the
________________________. Theodore (Teddy) ________________________ became an important leader of the Rough
Riders and ultimately a war hero. Congress also passed the _______________________ that guaranteed if the U.S.
defeated Spain the U.S. would liberate Cuba and not occupy or stay in Cuba. But before the war could be fought in Cuba,
the United States attacked Spain in the Philippines, a Spanish Colony. Led by ___________________, they sank all the
Spanish ships and there were no American losses. The war continued on to Puerto Rico and eventually to Cuba. The
Spanish surrendered to the Americans. The “_____________________” had officially ended with Spain’s defeat. Peace
negotiations were completed under the __________________________. The Treaty guaranteed the U.S. presence in the
____________________________________________. The acquisition of these colonies gave the U.S. the stepping
stones to becoming a world power. In response to the U.S. securing the Philippines, the ________________________ was
created and included people who were against the U.S. gaining other territories. But, America was on a path of expansion
and the _______________________ would only add on to its imperialistic spirit. The Platt Amendment was proposed and
passed in Congress. It Removed American troops from Cuba, but gave the Americans the use of one military base called
Guantanamo Bay. It also forbid Cuba from going to other countries for help.
As America’s strength grew, she realized the need for a canal that would connect the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
President Teddy Roosevelt came into office determined to make this happen. He helped the country of Panama revolt
against Colombian rule. Once Panama got its freedom, Teddy Roosevelt ensured that the ______________________
would be built and the United States would pay for the canal and its lease as well as protect Panama in return for ht
building and controlling of the canal.
Roosevelt was not a fool when it came to foreign relations. His policy aligned with his favorite African proverb,
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” It is out of this we get his __________________________. He
uses this type of diplomacy in his ___________________________, which adds to the Monroe Doctrine when it said that
the United States had international police power over its spheres of influences or places the U.S. reached out to especially
Latin America. Roosevelt also increased our navy and it was nicknamed “the Great white fleet”.
In an attempt to fight the Americans expanding nature, a Mexicans Emilio Zapata and ____________________
launched a series of raids against the Americans. Villa wan eventually assassinated as he entered into turbulent Mexican
politics.
American also expanded economically with the passage of the _______________________ with China that
would allow trade to begin between China and the U.S. It was true that America was expanding as fare as the eye could
see.