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Imperialism
Mid 1800s-early 1900s
What is Imperialism?
• Imperialism is a policy by which strong
nations extend their political, military, and
economic control over weaker
territories/nations.
• How does imperialism apply to the United
States?
The Causes of Imperalism
• Raw materials and natural resources (tea, rubber, iron, petroleum) were
acquired from other countries.
• Access to new economic markets (Extractive economies)
– Took raw materials and sent them to the US and other countries
• Military Strength—increased naval power (3rd largest worldwide) and built
USS Maine.
• Social Darwinism (survival of the fittest) The belief that certain
races/nations were superior to others and destined to rule.
• Manifest Destiny-U.S. felt it was a God-given right to expand its
governance.
– Expanded all the way to the Pacific Ocena
Imperalism (continued)
• Spreading Democracy
– US purchased Alaska, which was rich with timber, oil,
and other natural resources.
– US expanded its trade and investments to Latin
America
– US acquired Hawaii.
Queen Liliuokalani
• Resented increasing the power
of the white planters.
• Abolished the constitution that
gave whites power.
• Queen of Hawaii who gave
the U.S. naval rights to Pearl
Harbor in 1887. Overthrown by
American settlers in 1893.
The Spanish-American War
• America had invested $50 million in sugar cane plantations in
Cuba.
• Cuba rebelled against Spanish rule when Jose Marti initiated a
war for independence from Spain.
• The rebellion caused an economic hardship for America.
• America’s dislike for Spain was heightened by William Randolph
Hearst with the “Yellow Press.”
• Pres. McKinley warned the Spanish to establish peace or it
would step in.
"Yellow journalism"
• Term used to describe the sensationalist newspaper writings of
the time. They were written on cheap yellow paper. The most
famous yellow journalist was William Randolph Hearst. Yellow
journalism was considered tainted journalism - omissions and
half-truths.
Maine explodes
• February 15, 1898 - An explosion
from a mine in the Bay of
Havanna crippled the warship
Maine. The U.S. blamed Spain for
the incident and used it as an
excuse to go to war with Spain.
• Caused the Spanish-American
War
• Yellow Press blamed Spain, then
Pres. McKinley declared war.
Treaty of Paris
• Ended the Spanish-American War
• Spain gave up control of Guam, Puerto Rico, and Philipines
Big Stick Diplomacy
Theodore Roosevelt’s policy of creating and using a strong
military to achieve America’s goals.
Big Stick Diplomacy
• Although used before his presidency, Roosevelt used military muscle
several times throughout his two terms with a more subtle touch to
complement his diplomatic policies and enforcing the Monroe
Doctrine throughout multiple interventions in Latin America. This
included the Great White Fleet, 16 battleships which peacefully
circumnavigated the globe as an illustration of United States' rising
yet neutral prestige under Roosevelt's direction.
Panama Canal
• Shorten the travel distance between
the Atlantic and Pacific ocean
• Benefited trade and Navy
Panama Canal Treaty
• 1978 - Passed by President Carter, these called for the gradual
return of the Panama Canal to the people and government of
Panama. They provided for the transfer of canal ownership to
Panama in 1999 and guaranteed its neutrality.
Roosevelt updates Monroe Doctrine
• Monroe Doctrine - Efforts by European nations to
colonize land or interfere with states in North or South
America would be viewed as acts of aggression,
requiring U.S. intervention. (1823)
• Roosevelt Corollary- states that the United States will
intervene in conflicts between European countries and
Latin American countries ,rather than having the
Europeans handle their claims directly. (1904)