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EXPANDING OVERSEAS: IMPERIALISM Imperialism: the policy of powerful countries that seek to control the political and economic affairs of weaker countries or regions. Isolationism: one country having little to do with foreign countries. For the first 75 years of its existence the United States followed a policy of isolationism. Unlocking Japan • Japan was an isolationist society. • Commodore Matthew Perry was sent to open up Japan. – Perry’s mission was to open up Japan for trade with the US. – Perry was sent away the first time. – One year later he returned and the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed. • It was said they would help ship wrecked sailors and two ports would be opened to trade. American Expansion Seward’s Folly 1867 William Seward (Secretary of State to Abraham Lincoln) bought Alaska for $7.2 million (2 cents an acre) We bought it from Russia It increased the size of the US by about a fifth. Most people thought this purchase was foolish. It turned out to be a good deal: Lowlands were well suited for farming It has many natural resources such as copper and timber In 1896 gold was found in Alaska In 1868 “black gold” (oil) was discovered The American Urge to Expand Europe was starting to expand and many people thought so should the United States Remember Westward Expansion Arguments for Expansion Increase trade Extend our culture to others Spread our government: democracy New markets Need for raw materials Navel Power Arguments NOT to Expand We were once a colony how could we do that to others Didn’t want to go to war with other countries Annexing Hawaii • Why would we want Hawaii? – Rich soil, and warm climate allowed crops to be grown all year long. • (sugar plantations) • Midway point for fueling and trade What happened when Missionaries and planters came in? – By mid 1800’s large sugar plantations were set up. • The plantations needed cheap labor • Workers from China, Korea, Japan and the Philippines moved in to work the land. • By 1900 ¼ of the people in Hawaii had been born in Japan • – The planters had so much power that they staged a revolt • – The American Sugar Planters set up a Republic and asked the United States to Annex Hawaii. • – The United States did Annex Hawaii and later it became the 50th state Rivalry in China Carving up China In 1800’s Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Japan had carved out areas in China called Spheres of influence. Sphere of influence is an area, usually around a seaport, where a nation had special trading privileges. Each nation made it’s own laws for it’s own citizens in the sphere. Fearing being kept out The U.S. sent a letter to China and to all the Nations that had a sphere to urge them to follow an Open Door Policy. Open Door Policy: Under this policy any nation could trade with any of the nations that had a sphere of influence. The Boxer Rebellion – The Boxers (or Fists of Harmony) were the Chinese citizens who were part of a secret society against the nations who had a sphere of influence • The boxers wanted to rid China of the “Foreign Devils” • The foreigners took the jobs • – In 1900 the Boxers rebelled • They attacked all foreigners • Many people were killed or hurt Pan American Union The United States did not want to be seen as a bully It sent out invitations to the Latin American Countries to hold a conference in Washington D.C. to improve relations Countries of the Western Hemisphere worked together to solve problems Revolt in Cuba • Cuba was not happy with Spain ruling over it – There were many revolts to take it back and make Cuba independent. • • The United States watched with concern because Cuba is only 90 miles away from the South Florida. – President McKinley sent the Battleship “Maine” to Cuba to protect American citizens and their property. Monroe Doctrine: A document that did not allow countries from the Eastern Hemisphere to take over countries from the Western Hemisphere. The US did not want Spain (a colonial power) that close to the US Spanish American War The Spanish American War was started because the battleship “Maine” exploded and was split in two. Spain was blamed They were a scapegoat The American public was made to want to go to war because of the fantastic newspaper headlines. The Spanish-American War lasted 4 months The Maine Blown Up Terrible Explosion on Board the United States Battleship in Havana Harbor MANY PERSONS KILLED AND WOUNDED None of the Wounded Men Able to Give Any Explanation of the Cause of the Disaster Havana, Feb. 15 -- At 9:45 o'clock this evening a terrible explosion took place on board the United States battleship Maine in Havana Harbor. Many persons were killed or wounded. All the boats of the Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII. are assisting. As yet the cause of the explosion is not apparent. The wounded sailors of the Maine are unable to explain it. It is believed that the battleship is totally destroyed. The explosion shook the whole city. The windows were broken in nearly all the houses. The correspondent of the Associated Press says he has conversed with several of the wounded sailors and understands from them that the explosion took place while they were asleep, so that they can give no particulars as to the cause. Two editors were rivals and wanted to attract more readers, and to do so, both Pulitzer and Hearst claimed that the Spanish were the cause of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine. Pulitzer covered the horrible explosion of the ship while Hearst focused on the enemy who set the bomb — and offered a reward of 50,000 dollars to anyone who can detect the perpetrator. To this day, what happened on 15 February under the cover of night at 9:40 p.m. remained a mystery. The World says that the Maine was exploded by the Spanish because one of their journalists arriving from Cuba had “overheard” a plot to blow up the Maine. Thus began the long march of the war hawks: the assistant secretary of the navy, Teddy Roosevelt left his post to fight the Spain. From then on, it was “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” all the way to San Juan Hill. The war was over in a matter of weeks, but marked the birth of the American imperial overreach. • In the peace Treaty signed in Paris • Many disagreed with the treaty because it made the United States a colonial Power (we had it done to us why would we do it to others) • In the treaty Spain agreed: • to grant Cuba it’s freedom • to give the U.S. Puerto Rico and Guam • to hand over the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million To make sure The Maine was not forgotten many items were made with The Maine as the centerpiece Ruling the New Territories (Cuba) The Platt Amendment: Cuba was allowed to write it’s own constitution, but the U.S limits Cuba’s right to make treaties and borrow money. It allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuba It gave the U.S. control of a Navel Base at Guantanamo Bay Ruling the New Territories (Puerto Rico) Foraker Act: A new government set up by the U.S. for Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans had limited amount of say in their own affairs. The Panama Canal In 1901 when Roosevelt was President he saw the need for a canal through Panama to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This would cut down travel time At the time Colombia owned Panama. They rejected Roosevelt’s offer to buy a strip of land. Roosevelt used the theory: “Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far.” Which means words should be backed up with power. • So Roosevelt made it clear to the rebels who wanted to get away from Columbian rule it they started a war the U.S. would support them. • Panama won its independence and we won the right to buy the strip of land. We Own the Strip of Land Now What • The biggest problem: Disease – The climate was tropical heat, rainy, and lots of swamps. – This lead to many mosquitoes. – The mosquitoes lead to diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever – The mosquitoes were battled and the percent of disease went down.