Download CH. 7 Becoming a World Power

Mr. Judd
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5 Imperialism:
Industrialization
Ch. 7
Becoming a World Power 1872-1917
Content Standards: American History
15. As a result of overseas expansion, the Spanish-American War and World War I, the United
States emerged as a world power.
Imperialism is a word with different meanings for different people. The word refers to a stronger nation’s gaining control
of a weaker one. But the term is also used to describe the spread of power or authority without the actual taking over of
any land. Historian C. Vann Woodward has called imperialism an “elastic term,” a word with evil meanings. He says this
freely used word is a “convenient form of verbal shorthand” to tell of the gulf between
nations “who took and have” and those “who lack and want.” Nations are labeled
“imperialist” when, to protect or extend their own interests, they try to influence the
people of other nations. Among the world’s unsolved problems are the questions of how
much influence is proper, and what forms of influence are acceptable.
Colonial imperialism has historically meant the actual occupation and rule of a territory
or colony by a foreign nation. Political imperialism means the use of either diplomacy
or military force to influence the internal affairs of a weaker nation. Economic
imperialism means controlling key aspects of a less powerful nation’s economy.
Social-cultural imperialism includes the impact one culture has on another, especially
if that impact is uninvited. In the social-cultural sense of the word, for example, the
Coca-Cola signs around the world have been labeled as a form of American
imperialism.
In the colonial sense of the term, the United States acted as an imperialist
power in 1898, when it won a war against Spain and acquired several
colonies. The events of 1898 are worth studying because of their long-term
effect on the American dream. When the United States acquired colonies,
many people saw a basic contradiction. Less than 125 years earlier,
Americans had fought and won a war for independence from foreign rule. How
could Americans now justify their rule over other peoples? This unit looks at
some of the reasons why the United States acquired an overseas empire.
Throughout much of its history the United States has intervened in foreign
affairs. In this unit we will study the beginnings of the United States as a world
power. We will focus on the late 1800’s and early 1900’s up to World War I. The U.S. extended its influence in the Pacific,
Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, an Europe mainly to support the economic growth that was taking place in the U. S. at
the time, and militarily to defend those interests. This philosophy is still present in America today. Throughout this unit we
will explore both the past and present U.S. foreign policy.
List some of the various definitions of imperialism below.
Political Cartoon Analysis
Analyzing Political Cartoons
1. What is on the bill of fare, or menu, in this restaurant?
2. Which president does the waiter portray?
3. What seems to be Uncle Sam’s attitude toward the offerings on the menu?
4. What is the date of this political cartoon? What is going on in the world at this time?
5. What does this cartoon say about America after the war?
Causes of American Imperialism
Directions: Read the documents below and summarize the motivations for U.S. imperialism in the space
provided.
Document #1: Josiah Strong, Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis. American Home
Missionary Society, 1885
It seems to me that God, with infinite wisdom and skill, is training the Angle-Saxon race for an
hour sure to come in the world’s future… The unoccupied arable [farmable] lands of the earth
are limited, and will soon be taken… Then will the world enter upon a new stage of its historythe final competition of races, for which the Anglo-Saxon is being schooled... Then this race of
unequaled energy, with all the majesty of numbers and the might of wealth behind it- the
representative, let us hope, of the largest liberty, the purest Christianity, the highest
civilization… will spread itself over the earth. If I read not amiss, this powerful race will move
down upon Mexico, down upon Central and South America, out upon the islands of the sea, over
upon Africa and beyond. And can any one doubt that the result of this competition of races will
be the “survival of the fittest”?...
Document #2: Navy Captain Alfred T. Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, (1890)
Having therefore no foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the ships of war in the
United States, in war, will be like land birds, unable to fly far from their own shores. To provide
resting places for them, where they can coal and repair, would be one of the first duties of a
government proposing to itself the development of the power of the nation at sea.”
Document #3: Albert J. Beveridge, Senate Campaign Speech, 1898
American factories are making more than the American people can use: American soil is
producing more than they can consume. Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world
must and shall be ours… We will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing
points for American products. We will cover the ocean with our merchant marine. Great colonies
governing themselves, flying our flag and trading with us, will grow about our posts of trade.
Our institutions will follow our flag on the wings of commerce.
Motivations for Imperialism
Directions: Identify several factors that motivated American imperialism in the space below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
American Expansion
Latin America – Panama Canal Pg. 284
Alaska 1867
U.S. Secretary of State William
Seward purchased Alaska from
Russia for $7.2 million dollars (2
cents an acre). At the time, critics
thought Seward was crazy and
called the deal "Seward's folly."
Explain all the political hoops the U.S. had to jump through
before building the canal.
American Imperialism
Hawaii (1898) Pg. 266
What imperialist motives did the U.S.
have to ANNEX Hawaii?
Asia
Japan (1853-54) Pg. 265
How did the U.S. and Japan first become trade partners?
China (1900) Pg. 276
Explain America’s Open Door Policy.
Spanish-American War: Beginnings
In the mid-1890s, there were serious social,
economic, and political problems on the
neighboring island of Cuba. Cuban rebels were
attempting to free Cuba from Spanish control which
dated back to the late 1400s. As Cuba lies only
ninety miles from the tip of Florida, the United
States has always taken a strong interest in the
events happening there. At that time, many
Americans sympathized with the efforts of the
Cubans. Also, many had invested heavily in the
Cuban sugar industry.
In 1896, the Spanish government attempted to put
an end to the rebel cause. General Valeriano
Weyler was sent to crush the rebellion. Weyler
destroyed sugar plantations and built prison camps
for Cubans in rebel-held areas. News of
mistreatment of the Cubans came to America.
Stories were told of 100,000 captured Cubans
starving to death in the Spanish camps. The
atrocities were given much coverage in the
American press, and in some cases reports were
grossly exaggerated.
him as a "weakling" and a "crowd pleaser." The
derogatory tone of the letter angered many
Americans. More serious in nature, a second event
involved the deaths of American sailors. On the
night of February 15,1898, an explosion rippled
through the hull of the Maine, an American vessel
docked in the Havana Harbor. The ship had been
sent to protect Americans on the island. No one
was ever to know for sure who or what had caused
the explosion in which more than 250 Americans
lost their lives. The tragedy stirred the American
spirit, and many blamed the Spaniards. Public
pressure finally forced McKinley to take action. On
April 11, the President went before Congress to
request a declaration of war against Spain. Two
weeks later, on April 25, the United States declared
war against the old colonial power. With the rallying
cry, "Remember the Maine," many Americans
eagerly joined the fight.
Although many Americans were prepared to
support the Cubans in their move for
independence, President McKinley took a
cautious stance. He had hoped the situation would
be resolved in the near future, but a series of
events made a simple answer impossible. One
highly publicized event was the publishing of a
letter that was intercepted en route to a post office
in Havana, Cuba. Written by a Spanish diplomat
stationed in Washington, the letter insulted
McKinley and referred to
Review Questions
1. Why do you think many Americans supported the Cuban rebels in their efforts against Spain?
2. What two events caused that support to increase?
3. What role did the press play in this war? What is yellow journalism? (See Pg. 269 in text)
Spanish-American War: Battles and Outcome
Even before the official declaration of war against
Spain, the American fleet in the Pacific was steaming off
to the Philippines, which had been a part of the Spanish
empire for over 300 years. In the event that war was
declared against Spain, they were to capture the enemy
squadron in Manila, the Philippine capital. On May
1,1898, just days after the official declaration of war,
Commodore George Dewey and six ships arrived in
Manila Bay to begin bombardment of the fleet. In a
matter of hours, the United States navy had destroyed
the Spanish fleet and blockaded the harbor. American
troops entered the Philippine islands the day after an
armistice, or agreement to stop fighting, was signed.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, the Spanish fleet in the Atlantic
was docked in Santiago Harbor. By the end of May,
United States warships had arrived to blockade the
Cuban harbor. The next month, on June 22, U.S. troops
landed in Cuba just east of Santiago. The Americans
found the going rough in the hills of Cuba, for the
Spanish had strongly fortified positions. Casualties were
high. Among the troops which drew heavy fire was a
volunteer unit called the "Rough Riders." It was led by
Theodore Roosevelt, who had resigned his office as
Assistant Secretary of the Navy to join the cause. The
Rough Riders were actually a cavalry unit, but this time
they fought only on foot, for their horses never made it to
the island.
Two days after Roosevelt's men succeeded in taking
Kettle Hill on the ridge overlooking Santiago, the most
decisive battle of the war took place. In the battle of San
Juan Hill, the Americans emerged victorious, and
Roosevelt became an instant hero.
On July 3,1898, the Spanish attempted to move their
fleet out of Santiago Harbor. The Americans opened fire,
destroying all the escaping ships. On July 17, the
Spanish in Santiago surrendered. With no options
remaining, the Spanish government in Cuba also
surrendered. Shortly after this victory, the U.S. occupied
Puerto Rico, an island southeast of Cuba. Along with
Cuba, the Philippines, and the island of Guam. Puerto
Rico came under the protection of the United States.
The war with Spain was over. With the ratification of the
Treaty of Paris early in 1899, America became an
imperialist country with an empire stretching from the
Caribbean to the distant Pacific.
In the election of 1900, William Jennings Bryan again
represented the Democrats. McKinley proved a tough
opponent, running on a platform of expanded territories
and continued prosperity under a Republican
Administration. Aiding the ticket was the nomination for
Vice-President of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, hero of
San Juan Hill. Winning easily, the Republicans remained
in the White House.
Use the Map
1. What lands did the U.S. gain following the SpanishAmerican War?
2. What part of North America was under U.S. control
before the Spanish-American War?
3. The first American victory in the war occurred in the
Philippines. Why?
Presidential Diplomacies
Define Roosevelt Corollary (Pg. 280)
Roosevelt
Define Big Stick Policy (Pg. 279)
1901-1909
Example:
Define Dollar Diplomacy (Pg. 281)
Taft
1909-1913
Example:
Define Moral Diplomacy (Pg. 282)
Wilson
1913-1921
Example:
Political Cartoons
“My, my, such possibilities” (Library of Congress)
“The President in Panama” (The Washington Post)
“Coup d’Etat, 1903” (New York World)
“The Man Who Can Make Dirt Fly” (Corbis)
Political Cartoon Analysis
1. How is Teddy Roosevelt portrayed in each of these cartoons? Which depiction is the most favorable? The most
negative? Point to specific symbols and details in each image to support your answer.
2. What comment is each cartoonist making about Roosevelt's involvement in the Panama Canal project?
3. How is Panama portrayed in the Coup d'Etat cartoon? Does this cartoonist appear to support or oppose the
"Roosevelt Doctrine"? Explain.
4. What images of America and its role in global affairs are presented in these cartoons? Is there a variety of viewpoints
about America as a global power or a consistent point of view among the cartoonists? Discuss.
Extra Credit Opportunity
Understanding the lock canal. One of the most revolutionary aspects of the Panama Canal was its use of a system of
locks. Go to www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/flash-interactive/panama-map/ and view the interactive
feature entitled "Innovation in the Canal." Working individually or as part of a small group, choose one of the seven hot
spots on the map -- Gatún Locks, Gatún Dam, Hydroelectric Power Plant, Gatún Lake, New Panama Railroad, Culebra Cut
or Miraflores Locks -- and click on the "Learn more" link. Using the information presented here, become an expert on
this aspect of the Canal and prepare a short presentation for your classmates to help them understand the following:
• What is innovative about this aspect of the Canal?
• What problem or need did this innovation address?
• What dangers or obstacles were involved in its creation?
• What statistics help tell the story of this part of the Canal?