Download The Spanish American War

Chapter 6: International
Expansion and Conflict
Standard USHC-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of domestic and foreign
developments that contributed to the emergence of the United States as a world power in
the twentieth century.
Enduring Understanding
The American belief in political democracy led the United States to support natural rights
and political democracy for others, especially when it benefitted American interests. The
willingness of the United States to intervene politically and economically in other parts of
the world began its emergence as a world power. To evaluate the role of the United States
in world affairs in the past and present, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set
forth in the following indicators:
USHC-5.1 Analyze the development of American expansionism, including the change from
isolationism to intervention and the rationales for imperialism based on Social Darwinism, expanding
capitalism, and domestic tensions.
USHC-5.2 Explain the influence of the Spanish-American War on the emergence of the United States
as a world power, including the role of yellow journalism in the American declaration of war against
Spain, United States interests and expansion in the South Pacific, and the debate between pro- and
anti-imperialists over annexation of the Philippines.
USHC-5.3 Summarize United States foreign policies in different regions of the world during the early
twentieth century, including the purposes and effects of the Open Door policy with China, the United
States role in the Panama Revolution, Theodore Roosevelt’s “big stick diplomacy,” William Taft’s
“dollar diplomacy,” and Woodrow Wilson’s “moral diplomacy” and changing worldwide perceptions
of the United States.
USHC-5.4 Analyze the causes and consequences of United States involvement in World War I,
including the failure of neutrality and the reasons for the declaration of war, the role of propaganda in
creating a unified war effort, the limitation of individual liberties, and Woodrow Wilson’s leadership
in the Treaty of Versailles and the creation of the League of Nations.
USHC-5.5 Analyze the United States rejection of internationalism, including postwar disillusionment,
the Senate’s refusal to ratify the Versailles Treaty, the election of 1920, and the role of the United
States in international affairs in the 1920s.
Chapter 6 Terms
Imperialism
Nationalism
Isolationism
Seward’s Folly
Spanish American War
Teller amendment
Platt amendment
Anti-imperialist League
Open Door Policy
Panama Canal
Big stick diplomacy
Dollar diplomacy
Missionary/Moral diplomacy
World War I
Militarism
Alliances
U-boats
Lusitania
Zimmerman telegram
Trench Warfare
Selective Service Act
Harlem Hellfighters
Russian Revolution
Armistice
Fourteen Points
League of Nations
Treaty of Versailles
War Industries board
Food Administration
Espionage and Sedition Acts
Essential Questions
Someone who supported U.S. imperialism supported what?
Why did expansionists want to annex the Philippines?
Describe “Speak softly and carry a big stick”?
What factors caused the U.S. to abandon neutrality and enter World war I?
What were the effects of the Treaty of Versailles on germany?
6.1 The U.S. Looks Outward
Reasons for Expansion
ECONOMICS
Toward the end of the 19th century, a growing number of people in the U.S. believed in
imperialism.
They believed the U.S. needed to look beyond its own borders to acquire overseas colonies.
DEFENSE
There was also a growing sense among many that the U.S. needed to expand in order to
maintain national security.
In 1890, it was thought that the U.S. must build a powerful navy if it ever hoped to be a
world power.
Just ten years later the U.S. had one of the most powerful navies in the world.
Nationalism and Destiny
Many in the country felt it was the pioneer spirit
of the early settlers that had made the U.S. great.
Frederick Jackson Turner proclaimed that the
frontier had played a vital role in forming the
American character.
He appealed to nationalism and argued that
expansion was essential to maintain U.S. spirit
and keep the country strong.
Some leaders harkened back to Manifest Destiny,
They saw it as their responsibility to take
democracy to the rest of the world.
They often appealed to Social Darwinism to
justify U.S. imperialism. This was the idea that
taught “survival of the fittest”.
Isolationism
While more and more U.S. citizens and leaders
wanted
imperialism,
others
preached
isolationism.
They believe it to be not in the best interest of
the U.S. to acquire and exercise control of
foreign countries.
They believed it would eventually pull the U.S.
into foreign conflicts.
The Pacific
Initially most expansionists turned their attention to the Pacific.
Both political and business leaders saw the pacific as a pathway to promising markets of
China and Southeast Asia.
When the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, most people thought it was a foolish
move and labeled the transaction “Seward's Folly”.
Secretary of State William Seward wanted the Russians away from the North American
coast.
U.S. citizens were more excited about the purchase of Hawaii.
During the 1850s, many business leaders in the U.S. began investing in sugar plantations in
Hawaii.
In 1893, the white wealthy plantation owners rebelled against Queen Liliuokalani who
opposed control of the owners.
U.S. troops assisted plantation owners and seized the islands and deposed the queen. The
U.S. annexed Hawaii and made it a U.s. territory in 1898.
6.2 The Spanish American War
In the late 1800s, the island of Cuba was still
under Spanish rule.
In 1895, the Cuban people rebelled, Spain sent
15,000 troops to restore order.
As part of their strategy, the Spanish relocated
thousands of Cuban citizens to concentration
camps where many Cubans died.
Pressure mounted for the U.S. to intervene.
Competing newspapers printed stories about
the Spanish abuses against the Cubans.
Often these stories were untrue and were meant
to sell papers.
This brand of journalism became known as
yellow journalism.
The Spanish American War
The Spanish-American War officially began as
a result of what happened on February 15,
1898.
A U.S. battleship , the USS Maine exploded
while anchored in a Cuban harbor.
The newspapers immediately blamed Spain,
and the U.S. citizens demanded war.
Although it was later determined the explosion
was an accident, Congress adopted a resolution.
The U.S. declared war on Spain in April 1898.
Upon hearing of the declaration of war, U.S.
Commodore George Dewey set sail for another
Spanish colony –the Philippines.
The Spanish American War
Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet there
and seized control of the Philippine
Islands.
Meanwhile in Cuba, Theodore Roosevelt
led the Rough Riders in bold charges up
Kettle and San Juan hills.
This became the most famous incident of
the war and helped the U.S. achieve
victory over the Spanish.
In less than 3 months, the U.S. had
defeated Spain in both Cuba and the
Philippines.
Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam
The Spanish American officially ended with
the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
Attached to the resolution with Spain was the
Teller Amendment (would not annex the
territory but would have a military base there)
In 1900 when Cubans began drafting their own
constitution, the U.S. continued to exercise its
influence.
They insisted that the document include the
Platt Amendment (put limits on what the
Cuban government could do, and gave the
U.S. two naval bases in Cuba)
The Platt agreement stayed in effect until the
early 1930s. Meanwhile Puerto Rico became a
U.S. territory.
The Philippines
The Philippines caused more controversy and
division after the Spanish American war.
People understood reasons for occupying Cuba but
not the Philippines.
Those who opposed expansion argued that annexing
the Philippines would undermine democracy.
Some even joined the Anti-Imperialist League
financed by Andrew Carnegie.
Roosevelt and others however saw the Philippines as
crucial for protecting U.S. economies.
Finally in 1902, due to debate in Washington and
resistance by the Filipinos, the Philippines became an
unorganized territory of the U.S.
In 1946, the Philippines officially became an
independent nation.
6.3 Foreign Policy After The War
CHINA
The end of the 19th century marked a new era in U.S.
foreign policy.
The U.S. entered the 20th century hoping to expand
its trade with China.
Fearing that imperial powers would try and gain
control over Chinese exports and markets, the U.S.
insisted on an Open Door Policy.
This would leave China open for U.S. trade and
commerce.
Some Chinese nationalists wanted to bring an end to
foreign influence in china altogether.
Known as the Boxers, these nationalists massacred
300 foreigners and Chinese Christians in 1900 to
launch the Boxer Rebellion.
6.3 Foreign Policy After The War
THE PANAMA CANAL
Following the assassination of President William
McKinley in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became
president.
In order to enable U.S. ships to move quickly
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Roosevelt
envisioned a canal across the isthmus of Panama.
This canal would serve the U.S. military and
economic interests by allowing ships to travel
between U.S. territories in the Pacific.
In 1903, the Panamanian people revolted against the
Colombians,
Roosevelt responded by providing U.S. naval support
that helped Panamanians win their independence. In
return the U.S. was able to lease the land for the
canal. It was completed in 1914.
6.3 Foreign Policy After The War
THE ROOSEVELT COROLLARY
“THE BIG STICK POLICY”
By the 1900s, the U.S. was becoming a major player
in world affairs.
In 1904, President Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt
Corollary, it was a statement which expanded on the
Monroe doctrine.
Roosevelt modified the doctrine by saying the U.S.
had the right to intervene in the region if a nation had
trouble paying its debts.
This doctrine became known as Roosevelt’s “big
stick diplomacy”.
It meant that the U.S. did not intend on being a
threatening presence in the Western Hemisphere but
neither would it hesitate to forcefully protect its own
interests.
6.3 Foreign Policy After The War
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT AND
“DOLLAR DIPLOMANCY”
Following Roosevelt, President William Taft sought to substitute money for bullets.
He promoted foreign policy known as “dollar diplomacy”.
He believed that the U.S. could best maintain order in nations abroad by increasing
U.S. foreign investments.
As a result, his administration encouraged U.S. bankers to invest in Latin America
and the Caribbean and wired U.S. financial help to China to finance railroads.
Taft’s policy sometime meant huge losses for U.S. businesses.
It also created enemies among some Latin people who opposed U.S. involvement
and resented U.S. efforts to buy influence in the region.
6.3 Foreign Policy After The War
WOODROW WILSON’S
MORAL/MISSIONARY DIPLOMACY
In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson succeeded Taft and renounced dollar diplomacy.
Instead he advocated what came to be known as missionary diplomacy.
Wilson based his foreign policy on the idealistic view that it was the role of the U.S. to
promote democracy and moral progress in the world.
Unfortunately for Wilson, however events abroad soon tested his convictions.
In 1915, when a series of assassinations and revolutions rocked the nation of Haiti, Wilson
sent in the U.S. marines to protect U.S. property and banking interests.
Fearing the U.S. intended to make the country a territory, the Haitians responded violently.
Following a series of bloody skirmishes, the Haitian government ended the violence with a
treaty that made Haiti a protectorate but not a territory of the U.S.
6.4 Beginnings of World War I
THE ROOTS OF WAR
In 1914, World War I broke out in Europe, although
it originally began as a conflict between European
powers.
It eventually involved the U.S. and a number of other
nations as well.
The cause of this great conflict were in place long
before the first shots were ever fired.
In the years leading up to WWI, a spirit of
nationalism was sweeping across Europe.
In order to protect their self interests, many nations
adopted a policy of militarism.
This led to an arms race, countries also formed
alliances.
6.4 Beginnings of World War I
THE WAR BEGINS
The spark that ignited the “Great War” finally happened on June 28, 1914.
Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary was visiting the
province of Bosnia.
During his visit, a Serbian nationalist group known as the Black Hand assassinated the
Archduke and his wife.
They believed that Bosnia belonged to Serbia rather than Austria-Hungary.
Austria-Hungary accused Serbia of being involved in the assassination and threatened to go
to war.
Russia which was allied with Serbia mobilized and vowed to intervene if Austria-Hungary
attacked.
Within two months the dominos fell, due to existing alliances, Europe was divided and at
war. Great Britain, France and Russia formed an alliance called the Triple Entente. Germany
and Austria-Hungary lined up against them as the Central Powers.
6.4 Beginnings of World War I
THE U.S. REMAINS NUETRAL
At first the U.S. did not get involved in the war. On
August 4, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson
officially declared the U.S. neutral.
Many in the U.S. believed in isolationism and did not
see a war in Europe as being of any concern to the
U.S.
Many citizens became peace activists during this
period.
Others supported a policy of preparedness, which
advocated neutrality while taking steps to prepare for
war just in case.
U.S. policy towards war became the key issue in the
1916 election. Wilson narrowly won a second term
running on the slogan “he kept us out of war”.
6.4 Beginnings of World War I
THE U.S. ENTERS THE WAR
Despite Wilson’s original desire for neutrality, a
number of factors eventually led to U.S. involvement
in the war.
While many recent immigrants to the U.S. were of
German descent and tended to favor the Central
Powers, most of the country’s public opinion
supported the Triple Entente.
This was because most U.S. bankers had loaned large
amounts of money to Great Britain and had vested
interests in Britain winning the war.
As time passed, people in the U.S. came to see Kaiser
Wilhelm II, the leader of Germany, as a ruthless
aggressor out to destroy democracy and freedom.
6.4 Beginnings of World War I
THE LUSITANIA
One of Germany’s fierce weapons in WWI was their dreaded U-boats (submarines)
Hidden under water, these u-boats wreaked havoc in the Atlantic during the war.
The Germans warned all nations that they would attack any ships entering or leaving British
ports.
President Wilson rejected these warnings arguing that no party would be allowed to disrupt
neutral shipping on the high seas.
The U.S. wasn’t entirely neutral, unknown to passengers, the U.S. had begun shipping
military supplies to Great Britain aboard commercial cruise liners.
One of these liners, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915. 1200 people
died in the attack including 128 citizens.
People in the U.S. was furious. Not wanting the U.S. in the war, Germany agreed not to
attack U.S. passenger ships however in 1917 the German resumed moving the U.S. closer to
war.
6.4 Beginnings of World War I
THE ZIMMERMAN TELEGRAM
In 1917, the U.S. intercepted the Zimmerman Telegram.
German Foreign Minister sent a telegram to the German Embassy in Mexico.
In his telegram, Zimmerman told embassy officials to ask Mexico to attack the U.S. if it
declared war on Germany.
In return Germany promised to help Mexico win back land the U.S. had acquired during the
Mexican-American war.
News of this communication did not go over well in the U.S.
In March 1917, President Wilson proclaimed the world must be made safe for democracy.
Soon after in April 1917, the U.S. officially entered World War I.
6.5 U.S. Involvement in World War I
This war featured new technology like the
machine gun, hand grenades , and mustard
gas.
These advance weapons transformed warfare
and leaders on both sides had a hard time
adjusting tactics.
This caused a stalemate and both sides were
mired in trench warfare.
Trenches were long ditches in which soldiers
would take cover while they fired on the
enemy.
Since they could not advance without being
exposed to fire and suffering heavy losses,
both side lived long periods of time in wet,
dirty, rat infested trenches.
6.5 U.S. Involvement in World War I
The U.S. was not prepared to send a large
army to Europe right away.
In order to boost the number of U.S. soldiers,
congress passed the Selective Service Act
authorizing a draft of young men for military
service.
Many of these draftees as well as volunteers
went overseas as part of the AEF and became
known as “doughboys”.
Among their number was the 369th Infantry
regiment known as the “Harlem Hellfighters”.
The 369th was an all African American unit
that served so admirably in combat that it was
given France’s highest medal for bravery.
Turning Points of War
RUSSIA PULLS OUT
By early 1917, the Russians were tired of
fighting. They had lost almost two million
lives.
In March 1917, the Russian Revolution took
place.
Those supporting the democracy removed
Czar Nichols II from power and established a
new republic.
This republican government did not last long.
By November, the Bolsheviks were under the
leadership of Vladimir Lenin.
Russia received assistance from Germany in
exchange for a guarantee of peace. The
Bolsheviks pulled out of the war.
Turning Points of War
U.S. TROOPS SAVE PARIS AND HELP
TURN THE WAR
Now that Russia was no longer a concern,
Germany concentrated all of its efforts on taking
Paris.
Within two months, the German forces were
within 50 miles of the French Capitol.
In early June, U.S. Marines helped fight off the
advancing Germans and turn the tide of the war.
With Paris saved, the allies used a new weapon,
the tank to push through German lines.
Since the war had turned against them, the
Germans had no choice but to seek peace. They
signed an armistice ending hostilities in 1918
Turning Points of War
AFTER THE WAR
Once the fighting had ceased, the leaders of the
warring nations met together for a peace
conference in Paris
President Wilson went there with no intentions to
punish Germany, nor did he hope to acquire more
territory.
Wilson’s goal was to establish peace and stability
in Europe.
He put forth a peace proposal known as the 14
points.
Among other things, Wilson's plan called for a
reduction in armaments. And the right to govern
oneself.
Turning Points of War
AFTER THE WAR cont.
Wilson also proposed the League of Nations.
There purpose would be to provide a place where
countries could engage in diplomacy solutions to
their differences.
A number of nations joined the League of
Nations, ironically the U.S. was not one of them.
Isolationism grew strong again in the U.S. after
the war.
The U.S. Senate would not ratify the Treaty of
Versailles which ended the war and sanctioned
the League of Nations.
Opponents feared that commitment to an
international organization would lead to binding
alliances that might drag the nation into another
war.
Turning Points of War
TREATY OF VERSAILLES
While Wilson wanted peace and stability, many
of his European allies wanted retribution.
The European countries had already suffered
longer and lost far more lives than the U.S.
In June 1919, the Allies forced Germany to sign
the Treaty of Versailles.
The treaty made Germany take total responsibility
for the war and made it pay reparations.
These conditions led to economic depression and
great bitterness on the part of most Germans.
The resentment felt by the German people made it
possible for a young charismatic leader named
Adolf Hitler to rise to power and plunge Europe
back into war.
Government Actions at Home
World War I had a huge effect on life in the U.S.
For starters, the war in Europe meant an increased role for government in the U.S.
Woodrow Wilson helped establish the War Industries Board
economy.
to regulate the nation’s
Wilson also set up the Committee on Public Information for the purpose of encouraging
public support for the U.S. war effort.
In 1917, Wilson appointed future president Herbert Hoover to head the Food
Administration.
Hoover’s task was to get people to conserve food so it could be used in the war effort.
Congress also passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which made it illegal to interfere
with the draft, obstruct the sale of Liberty Bonds, or make statements considered disloyal to
or critical of the government, the constitution, or the U.S. military.
1920 Election
After World War I, people in the U.S. wanted a
return to the security they had felt before the war.
In 1920, they elected Warren g. Harding president
of the U.S.
Harding won support by stating that the nation
needed a “return to normalcy”
However the 1920s ended up being a decade of
great change and innovation.
What came during and after the 1920s would be
one of the most challenging chapters in U.S.
History.