Download American Cultures Ch. 10 “Becoming a World Power” Name Mr

American Cultures
Ch. 10 “Becoming a World Power”
Mr. Gatz/Mrs. Gilbert – Fall 2014
Name ____________________________
Section 1 – The Pressure to Expand
LEQ: Why did the U.S. feel pressure to expand its borders at the turn of the century?
The U.S. felt they needed to join the competition (with Europe) for new lands and resources or they would lose out
→ Growth of Imperialism:
1. What is the idea behind Imperialism?
Stronger nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations, economically/politically/culturally/militarily
2. What part of the world were the European nations expanding into? Africa and Asia; the Western Hemisphere
3. What were the 4 basic reasons for this expansion?
a. Economic Factors: U.S. had an increased need for natural resources; desire to expand markets (trade) and invest profits;
and needed an outlet for its growing population
b. Nationalistic Factors: Americans felt loyalty/devotion to their own nation and superior to that of others
c. Military Factors: Advances in military technology; U.S. navies needed bases around the world for taking on fuel/supplies
d. Humanitarian/Social/Moral Factors: Americans had a strong desire to spread Christianity, democracy, and Western
civilization (White Man’s Burden); also had belief in Social Darwinism and
superiority (Only the fittest nations rule and survive) – must show others our way is
the best way
4. What is the idea behind the Monroe Doctrine?
It was a declaration by President Monroe in 1823 which stated that further efforts by European countries to colonize land
or interfere with states in the Americas would be viewed by US as acts of aggression, requiring US intervention
5. What is the idea behind the Manifest Destiny?
Argument that it was the undeniable destiny of the U.S. to expand across North America and possess the entire continent
6. How would these 2 concepts be used to support Imperialism by the U.S.?
U.S. wanted to keep Western Hemisphere free from European power/influences and to justify Manifest Destiny as well as
the acquisition of overseas territories, such as Midway
7. What areas of the world did the U.S. move into and why?
a. Mexican border – France had violated the Monroe Doctrine by placing an emperor on the Mexican throne
b. Alaska – U.S. bought it from Russia in hopes that being on both sides of Canada would drive the British out of that
region; U.S. would also benefit from Alaska’s rich resources
c. Pacific Islands and Midway Islands – U.S. wanted to use them as refueling and repair stations for its naval vessels
d. Caribbean Islands & Latin America – To protect all territories in these regions from being controlled by European power
8. Explain the following reasons for U.S expansionism:
** Promoting Economic Growth – U.S. economic problems could only be solved by expanding its markets/trade
** Protecting American Securities – U.S. needed a powerful navy to protect its business interests (markets) from foreigners
** Preserving the American Spirit - Quest for an empire might restore the country’s pioneer spirit, energy, and vitality
9. How did Americans feel about the idea of expansionism?
They felt a sense of urgency to gain overseas territories in order to continue on its path toward becoming a great nation
Section 2 – The Pressure to Expand
LEQ: What were the causes and results of the war with Spain?
Causes
a. U.S. support of Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain
b. U.S. protecting its business/trade interests in Cuba
c. Yellow Journalism (sensational, exaggerated headline
stories) which sways U.S. sympathy for Cuban rebels
d. The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Cuba
e. The De Lome letter describing Pres. McKinley as “weak”
Results
a. Cuba eventually gains independence from Spain
b. U.S. gains Philippine Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico
c. U.S. becomes a world power
1. Describe how the following helped to set the stage for war between Spain and America?
→ Display of U.S. power
a. U.S. forced Chile to pay money ($75,000) to families of sailors who were killed/injured in Chilean mob attack
b. U.S. sent navy ships to Brazil to settle a rebellion and protect U.S. shipping interests
c. U.S. forced Great Britain to accept arbitration on a border dispute with Venezuela
→ The Cuban Revolution
Cuban rebels (seeking U.S. help in their fight for independence from Spain) started destroying U.S. business interests
(sugar plantations) to draw help from the U.S. government who had initially refused to intervene/assist
→ Yellow Journalism
Sensational news stories by competing newspaper journalists about the situation in Cuba strengthens Americans’
sympathy for Cuban rebels and sways their opinion
2. The Spanish-American War:
Use the chart below to record the different causes and effects of the war
Causes
Effects
Spanish
American
War
3. What was the De Lome Letter and what was its significance?
A letter that was stolen from the Spanish Ambassador to Washington, Dupuy Le Lome, which described President McKinley
as “weak.” This caused an outcry in the U.S. because it ridiculed McKinley and because of the sensationalism surrounding it.
The letter further helped push the U.S. to war with Spain.
4. Challenges after the war – Describe the challenges faced by the U.S. in each of the following:

Dilemma in the Philippines Filipino rebels had fought alongside American troops in the war against Spain with the expectation that victory would
bring Philippine independence. U.S., however, ignored their proclamations for independence, which created tensions
to build between the rebels and American soldiers. This tension ultimately led to war in the Philippines (thousands
were killed and many others were put in camps).

The Fate of Cuba –
Many Cubans felt betrayed by the U.S. in their quest for independence. So, they drafted a constitution that would
end continued American involvement in Cuba. U.S. agreed only after a provision (known as the Platt Amendment)
was made – Cuban government would not be allowed to enter foreign agreements/affairs; would allow U.S. to
establish naval bases in Cuba to protect business interests; and would give U.S. the right to intervene when necessary
(In other words, US leaves but retains control of Cuba).

Puerto Rico –
U.S. eventually gave Puerto Ricans more freedom and independence, and granted them U.S. citizenship. The U.S. also
allowed them to have elections of legislature; however, U.S. government continued to have the power to appoint the
executive, such as the governor, in Puerto Rico.
5. Describe the gains the U.S. made in the following areas:
Hawaii
Samoa
China
* Hawaii was important for business –
Hawaii and U.S. renewed a trade
treaty, which allowed Hawaiin sugar
to be sold duty-free in the U.S.
* Hawaii leased Pearl Harbor to U.S. as
a fueling and repair station for their
naval vessels
* Samoa was a stepping stone for the
U.S. to trade with China
* U.S. proclaimed an Open Door Trade
Policy in regard to China
* U.S., Great Britain, and Germany
had arranged a 3-way protectorate
of Samoa in 1889, but GB withdrew
from Samoa in 1899. So, Germany
and U.S. divided up the islands
* Sphere of Influence (Area of
economic and political control
exerted by 1 nation over another
nation or nations)
* Marines and Dole employees
overthrow Queen Lili’uokalani
* In 1899, U.S. acquired the harbor of
Pago Pago
* Critical for Trade
* U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898
* U.S. outlasts the other 2 nations
6. Additional Key Terms:
a. Arbitration – A settlement of a dispute by a person/panel who’s chosen to listen to both sides and come to a decision
b. Jingoism – A feeling of strong national pride and a desire for an aggressive foreign policy
c. Sphere of Influence – Area of economic and political control exerted by 1 nation over another nation or nations
d. Platt Amendment – An addition to the 1900 Cuban Constitution by the American government that gave the U.S the right
to establish naval bases in Cuba and to intervene in Cuban affairs whenever necessary and protect
U.S. business interests
e. Open Door Policy – An American approach to China around 1900, favoring open trade relations between China and other
nations
Section 3 – A New Foreign Policy
LEQ: How did the U.S. shift its view on Foreign policy and what did citizens think about it?
→ The Panama Canal –
1. Why was it important to have a shorter route between the Atlantic & Pacific?
a. It would make global shipping much faster and cheaper (between the East and West)
b. It would allow the U.S. navy to move quickly from one ocean to the other in time of war
2. Building the canal
a. Acquisition of the land
French started the canal with a 25-year concession from Colombia (Panama was a province of Colombia). The French,
however, gave up after 10 years and sold the rights to the U.S. Columbia was not pleased with the U.S. taking over
for such a cheap price ($40 million) and refused to sign the deal. Thus, Roosevelt worked out a deal with
Panamanians to start a rebellion allowing the US to recognize Panama as independent (the US became its protector).
In return, Panamanians signed a treaty in 1903, which allowed the U.S. control of a 10-mile strip of land across
Panama (the Panama Canal Zone), for $10 million
b. Getting the canal built
Inexperienced workers from many different countries were trained for this massive project. The 48-mile-long,
10-mile-wide canal was then built (1904-1914) and was finished 6 months ahead of schedule and $23 million under
budget.
3. Reaction to the canal
Most Americans were convinced that the canal was vital to national security/prosperity, but did not like how it was
acquired (“an instance of foul play in US politics”)
The illegal means that were used to acquire the Canal Zone left Latin Americans feeling a sense of ill will toward the U.S.
Thus, 2 years after Roosevelt had died, Congress voted to pay $25 million to Columbia in 1921.
→ Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy – The threat of military force allowed Roosevelt to conduct an aggressive foreign policy
Roosevelt Corollary
President Roosevelt’s 1904 extension of the
Monroe Doctrine: In it, Roosevelt
* denied the U.S. wanted any more territory
* wanted prosperity and stability for all neighbors
* stated that U.S. would intervene if necessary to
keep this true
EX: When island of Santo Domingo (now the Dom. Rep.)
went bankrupt, Europe threatened to intervene so
U.S. stepped in and took over the country’s customs
(oversaw in imports and exports), finances (paid off
European debt). Roosevelt overrode w/ Congress
tried to block
Roosevelt the Peacemaker
His main concern was open trade with China
Main threat to Open Trade came from Japan
(who were starting to overpower Russia in RussoJapanese war). Roosevelt feared China was next,
so he stepped in and negotiated a treaty
* Japan got small amounts of land
* Russia vacated Manchuria (Part of China)
* Peace was won and Roosevelt won the
Piece Prize
Foreign Policy After Roosevelt – Roosevelt’s successors continued the Roosevelt legacy (aggressive foreign policy), but each
had their own unique methods of diplomacy
Explain how the two presidents that followed Roosevelt handled foreign policy.
President Taft
President Wilson
(dollar diplomacy)
(moral diplomacy)
* not as aggressive as Roosevelt in foreign policy aims
* announced the end of Taft’s “dollar diplomacy” and,
instead, return to using force to carry out his policies
* main goals were to maintain Open Door with China
and preserve stability in Latin America
* Dollar Diplomacy – Maintaining stability through
increasing American investments
in foreign economies (substitute
dollars for bullets)
- Results of this approach were not always profitable
(lost large amounts of money in China (railroad) and
made more enemies than friends to those in Latin
America who opposed American influence.
* Revolution in Mexico replaced government that was
favored by the U.S. Wilson and U.S. do not recognize
the new leader (Huerta). U.S. has billions in
investments that need protected. To do this, U.S.
sailors were arrested in Tampico Bay, so Wilson sent in
the navy (Big Stick) and ran Huerta out of power.
Carranza becomes the new leader, supported by U.S.,
but Carranza is opposed by Ponch Villa who starts
cross-border raids into the U.S.
Additional Terms to be familiar with:
- Concession: A grant for a piece of land in exchange for a promise to use the land for a specific purpose.
- Roosevelt Corollary: Roosevelt’s 1904 extension of the Monroe Doctrine in which he asserted the right
of the U.S. to intervene in Latin American nations.
- Dollar Diplomacy: President Taft’s policy of encouraging American investment in foreign economies.
Section 4 – Debating America’s New Role
LEQ: How did American’s view of Imperialism differ after the Spanish-American War?
Americans’ views of imperialism were mixed following the Spanish-American War. While some continued to support it
for economic, military, social/moral, and nationalistic reasons, others opposed imperialism because they felt it was too
costly, and U.S. superior attitude and strong desire to spread Christianity and democracy insinuated to those in other
nations that they were weak and inferior, resulting in tensions/poor relations. Anti-imperialists also believed that
imperialism would hurt American industries because of cheap goods being imported from overseas, and would cause
American workers to compete for jobs with laborers who came to the U.S. from annexed territories. Finally, antiimperialists felt that people in areas controlled by the U.S. should be entitled to the same Constitutional rights as U.S.
citizens.
The Anti-Imperialists: Summarize the arguments against imperialism
Moral and Political Arguments
* Imperialism disregards the “liberty
for all” ideals of the U.S.
* Imperialism denies Constitutional
guarantees of other U.S. citizens. AntiImperialists feel the Constitution must
follow the flag – people in areas
controlled by U.S. should be entitled
to the same Constitutional rights as
U.S. citizens
Racial Arguments
Economic Arguments
* Promotes racism by promoting
superiority of Anglo-Saxon race who
have a desire to bring American values
to other countries
* Expansion was too costly - maintaining
armed forces = more taxation, debt,
and possibly even required military
service
* Southerners were fearful of having an
increase in other races (minorities) in
the South
* Immigrating laborers from the new
territories would take jobs away from
Americans (competing for jobs)
* Cheap imported goods from annexed
territories would hurt U.S. industries
Imperialisms Appeal: Summarize and give examples of arguments for Imperialism
Imperialism appealed to the expeditionary mindset (frontier spirit) of Americans exploring the wild (Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts)
and argued that imperialism was also necessary for economic and military gains (need to establish a world-class military) –
Great White Fleet, which symbolized the pride of America, a world power
Imperialism Viewed from Abroad: How was Imperialism viewed by other countries?
Having begun a pattern of international involvement, the U.S. often had to defend governments that were unpopular with local
inhabitants (ex. – Latin America = Yankee Go Home). On the other hand, some countries began to turn to the U.S. for support
(in order to stay independent). Through all of this, the U.S. needed to deal with their new-found power in the world.
Additional Terms:
- Racism: A belief that differences in character or intelligence are due to one’s race.
- Compulsory: Required
- Great White Fleet: A force of U.S. Navy (white) ships that went on a cruise around the world in 1907 to demonstrate the
nation’s impressive naval power to other nations.