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Imperialism:
America Gains an Empire
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Essential Questions: How did the Industrial Revolution influence a change in America’s foreign policy?
When should the U.S. become involved in other countries? To what extent?
Enduring Understandings: Economics often directly impact foreign policy decisions The turn of the
century saw a dramatic change in America’s international role
Imperialism does not imply altruism
Introduction:
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Since the 1790s, U.S. foreign policy had been centered on expanding westward, protecting U.S.
interests abroad, and limiting foreign influences in
the Americas.
The Civil War, followed by an age of industrial
growth, created the basis for a shift in foreign
policy/ the U.S.’s relations with the rest of the
world.
The western frontier closes in 1890.
America is a late addition into the imperialism
game. Beat to the punch by European powers
(see map).
From isolation, the U.S. ventured onto the
world stage. The eagle extended its grasp
How and why did the U.S. acquire an overseas
empire?
Why did the U.S. intervene in Cuba, Latin America and
Mexico?
The New Imperialism:
Defined: Acquiring territory or gaining political /economic control
over countries
Who was motivated in the U.S.?: politicians, ministers,
businessmen, naval strategists, journalists.
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U.S. Industrial Age commenced in 1869 (completion of
transcontinental railroad)
Why expand? (1). U.S. needed foreign/worldwide markets for its growing industrial and
agricultural surpluses (2) The growing need for raw materials.
o Expand or explode!
o Booming increase of population, wealth, industrial production
o America’s GDP—the total value of goods and services—quadrupled between 1870 and
1900.
o American farmers:
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 Farmers depended on supply and demand
 Farmers always needed their products to be in demand
 Foreign markets would supply constant buyers to American surplus
(3). Military/Strategic
o With imperialism comes power
o America sought to locate forces around the world—extend beyond borders for military
reasons
(4). Social Darwinist Thinking: “Survival of the fittest”
o A race hierarchy
o The “White Man’s Burden”
o Competition among nations
o Only the strong survive
o The U.S. had to demonstrate its strength by expanding abroad
o Strength measured in econoimcs, territories and military might.
(5). Religious/Missionary work
o To spread religion.
o “Christianize” heathens
o “Civilized” Christian cultures spread their way of life to “lesser” cultures
o Early advocate: Reverend Josiah Strong (pictured)
o An attempt to mute criticism of the economic motives behind the adoption of an
imperialist policy
o Noneconomic justification for expansion
(6). Frederick Jackson Turner and the closing of the American Frontier
o “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” (1920)
o Turner’s belief that territorial expansion promotes social, economic, and political
stability.
o Manifest Destiny must continue outside the borders
Who?
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Missionaries: Rev. Josiah Strong thought it was the Protestant duty to spread Christianity
abroad. Believed the Anglo civilization to be superior (in medicine, science and technology).
Many believed in the racial superiority of the white race. Published the book: Our Country: Its
Possible Future and Present Crisis
Politicians: Republicans supported big businesses. Endorsed expansion to expand the markets.
Teddy Roosevelt was an expansionist.
Naval Strategists: Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)—argued the
necessity of a strong navy in securing foreign territories and becoming a world power. By 1900
the U.S. had the third largest navy in the world.
o Proposed that for the U.S. to become a world power it must develop a first-class navy.
o This would give the U.S. global reach
o Increase the size of its military power
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o In order to have a great navy, coaling stations and naval bases were necessary
o SO: the acquisition of colonies was paramount
o A staunch advocate of imperialism
o Profoundly influenced Teddy Roosevelt (another imperialist)
Press: More territories, more stories, more excitement, more papers sold!
American Expansion:
Seward, Alaska and the French in Mexico:
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Seward: Secretary of State under Lincoln and Johnson
Sought the annexation of the Midway Islands in the Pacific and gained rights to build a canal in
Nicaragua.
Invoked the Monroe Doctrine to oust the French from Mexico after the Civil War
Negotiated the acquisition of Alaska (1867) from Russia for $7.2 million. Referred to as
“Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox” by the skeptical population.
Hawaii:
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An independent nation
Sugarcane attracted American planter
1875 Treaty—gave Hawaii sugar duty-free entry into the American market
o Declared the island off limits to the other powers
o 1887 treaty—gave U.S. naval rights at Pearl Harbor
The McKinley Tariff of 1890 (McKinley was a Congressman at the time)
set the average tariff rate for imports to the U.S. at 48.4%, and
protected manufacturing.
Abruptly ended Hawaii’s access to American markets
Sugar planters began to plot an American takeover of the islands so
that Hawaiian sugar would be treated as a domestic product.
January, 1893: Organized revolt against Queen Liliuokalani (pictured)
o The U.S. could not negotiate a treaty of annexation with the
Harrison administration
o To annex Hawaii: “would be to violate America’s honor and morality and an unbroken
tradition against acquiring territory far from the nation’s shores.” –Benjamin Harrison
o Question of annexation reopened under McKinley
President McKinley was open to persuasion by U.S. expansionists and by annexationists from
Hawaii.
After negotiations, in June 1897, McKinley agreed to a treaty of annexation with these
representatives of the Republic of Hawaii.
The president then submitted the treaty to the U.S. Senate for approval.
July 6, 1898, after approval from the House and Senate, Hawaii as a U.S. territory.
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The Spanish-American War:
Background:
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The Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba were Spanish colonies
Cubans were being oppressed by the Spanish as a colony.
The U.S. had investments in the sugar and mining industries of Cuba.
1894 Jose Marti (Cuban insurrectionist) organized guerilla actions in Cuba
Destroyed U.S. sugarcane fields
Intention was to provoke U.S. intervention in Cuban plight against Spain
Spanish sent General Valeriano Weyler to quell the rebellion
Marti was killed—a martyr for the Cuban cause who called for Cuban independence
Valeriano Weyler establishes concentration camps for Cubans
300,000 sent to camps—devastating
Thousands died
Quelled the revolution
Causes #1: YELLOW JOURNALISM
… The Cubans gained a voice from the American press. Enter, the media!
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Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst were competitors in the newspaper industry
Printed Stories about the “Butcher Weyler”
Why? To bolster sales
Tried to outdo each other by printing sensational pictures & stories about General Weyler
Exaggerated the truth
“Yellow Journalism”
Caused Anti-Spanish sentiment
Cause #2: the De Lome Letter:
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February 9, 1898 of the New York Journal.
Hearst's newspaper intercepted and published a letter from Spain's minister in Washington,
Dupuy de Lome.
The letter criticized President McKinley.
Outraged Americans
Embarrassed Spain.
Dupuy de Lome was forced to resign
Tensions between the US and Spain increased.
Cause #3: The Sinking of the U.S. Maine
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The U.S. S. Maine as sent to protect U.S. interests in Cuba during the time of insurrection and
civil unrest in Cuba
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An explosion shattered the battleship U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor and precipitated the 1898
Spanish-American
“Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain!” February 15, 1898
Explosion and sinking of the U.S.S. Maine killed 266 men
American public believed this was an attack on the Spanish
The media jumped on and added to the hype
Forces were deployed to Caribbean and Pacific
U.S. establishes a blockade Havana Harbor
In response to the blockade, Spain declares war on the United States
The United States declares war on Spain
In reality, it was a mechanical problem that caused the explosion.
McKinley’s War Message:
1. Put an end to the barbarities, bloodshed, starvation and horrible
miseries in Cuba
2. Protect the lives and property of U.S. citizens in Cuba
3. End the very serious injury to the commerce, trade and business of
our people
4. End the constant menace to our peace arising from the disorders in
Cuba.
Teller Amendment: Congress passed a joint resolution with the president’s war message to Congress. It
declared that the United Sates had no intention of taking political control of Cuba and that, once peace
was restored in the island, the Cuban people would control their own government.
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The Spanish-American War (April–August 1898) is considered to be both a turning point in the
history of propaganda and the beginning of the practice of yellow journalism.
It was the first conflict in which military action was precipitated by media involvement. The war
grew out of U.S. interest in a fight for revolution between the Spanish military and citizens of
their Cuban colony. American newspapers fanned the flames of interest in the war by
fabricating atrocities which justified intervention in a number of Spanish colonies worldwide.
The war lasted from April to August 1898
In the end, gave the U.S. a global empire
April 20, 1898
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Philippines had been a Spanish colony for over 300 years
OBJECTIVE: Destroy the Spanish forces in the Pacific.
This would protect the American Pacific coast, and keep the Spanish forces in Cuba from being
reinforced.
American Naval Commander George Dewey
Destroyed Spanish fleet in Manila Bay
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Spain had 381 casualties
U.S. had 1 casualty
Leader of Filipino rebels
11,000 Americans joined forces with Aguinaldo
The Battle of Manila Bay made Commodore Dewey (commander of the Navy) a national hero
and helped establish the reputation of the United States as a major naval power.
Rough Riders:
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Volunteer Cavalry of 1,200 men
Under command of Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt
Rough Riders led the infantry attack on San Juan Hill.
Victorious over the Spanish
Armistice on August 12
Ended the “Splendid little war” –Secretary of State John Hay
16 week war
5,400 American casualties
The End of the War:
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December 10, 1898
1. Cuba would become independent
2. Spain would give Puerto Rico and the Pacific island of Guam to the United States
The U.S. would pay Spain $20 million for the annexation of the Philippine Islands
“there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all [the Philippine Islands], and to educate
the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize them” --President McKinley to a group of Methodist
ministers
Foraker Act:
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Foraker Act—denied U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans
Gave president power to appoint Puerto Rico’s governor and members of legislature
Today, Puerto Rico is a “commonwealth” of the U.S.
This means that the U.S. sets tariffs, controls defense, no immigration restrictions, PR gov’t can
make laws.
Does not vote in presidential election, no representation in American Congress
Platt Amendment:
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1900 Cuba makes own constitution
Platt Amendment (what U.S. says Cuba must add to constitution)
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1. Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign
power to control and part of its territory.
o 2. the U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba to preserve independence and
maintain order
o 3. Cuba couldn’t go into debt
o 4. The U.S. could buy or lease on the island for naval and coaling stations. This includes
Guantanamo Bay.
The U.S. army wouldn’t withdraw until Cuba adopted the Platt Amendment
Reluctantly ratified in 1903
Platt Amendment in effect for 31 years
Cuba became a U.S. protectorate—country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger
power.
Filipino-American War
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The annexation of the Philippines caused major problems, however. The Filipinos had fought
with the Americans against the Spanish, thinking that the Americans were there to liberate the
Philippines in the same way they were liberating Cuba.
When hoped for freedom failed to materialize and the Americans did not go home, the Filipinos
felt betrayed.
On Jan 23, 1899, the Filipinos proclaimed an independent republic and elected long-time
nationalist Emilio Aguinaldo president.
The US sent in reinforcements to put down this "rogue" government.
Fighting against the Filipino nationalists they had fought alongside months earlier, the US
endured two harsh years of battle.
Aguinaldo's guerilla fighters put the US through a much more difficult and bloody conflict than
the relatively easy Spanish-American War.
Still, the Filipino's never had much chance against the superior force of the Americans.
On March 23, 1901, the US finally put down the Filipino revolt by capturing Aguinaldo.
After being forced to take an oath of loyalty and receiving a pension from the US government,
Aguinaldo retired, and never led further revolutions.
Open Door Policy:
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Secretary of State John Hay was alarmed that the weakened Chinese empire was falling under
the control of various outside powers. In the 1890s, Russia, Japan, Britain, France, and Germany
had all established spheres of influence in China. Meaning that they could determine the trade
and investment within their sphere (a particular port or region of China) and shut out
competitors.
Hay wanted the U.S. to have a claim to China
1899 he issued the “Open Door Policy”
All nations would have equal trading privileges in China.
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Few countries gave any credence to Hay’s notice
Boxer Rebellion:
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Chinese outrage over their country being divided up, regardless of whether it was conducted
“fairly” or not, prompted a new nationalistic movement called the Boxer Movement to spread
throughout China. In 1900, hoping to cast out all foreigners, the Boxer army invaded Beijing,
believing that they would be divinely protected from bullets. They took a number of foreign
diplomats hostage and waited patiently in the city. Nearly 20,000 French, British, German,
Russian, Japanese, and American soldiers joined forces to rescue the diplomats and end the
Boxer Rebellion. After the diplomats had been rescued, Secretary Hay issued the Second Open
Door Note to request that the other powers respect China’s territorial status, because he feared
they would try to take revenge on the Chinese for the uprising.
Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy:
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Foreign Policy was called “Big Stick Diplomacy” Speak softly and carry a big stick
o Teddy Roosevelt, as president, believed that if the U.S. made a show of force to the rest
of the world, other nations might be more hesitant to challenge the American military.
As a corollary to this, he also understood that the threat of force rather than force itself
was often sufficient to deter military conflict. He summarized this belief with an old
African proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far." The press
instantly latched onto this saying and used it to describe Roosevelt's style of foreign
policy as Big Stick Diplomacy. Indeed, many of the political cartoons of the era depict
the president swinging a large club to make others do as he wished.
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Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine:
o To prevent the European powers from attempting any similar military actions and from
gaining territory in Latin America, the president declared that only the United States had
the right to correct the "wrong-doings" of the weaker states in the Western
Hemisphere. This declaration came to be known as Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe
Doctrine.
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Taft and Dollar Diplomacy:
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Whereas Theodore Roosevelt had employed “Big Stick” diplomacy to bend weaker
nations to his will, William Howard Taft preferred to use money as leverage. Taft
believed that he could convince smaller, developing nations to support the United
States by investing American dollars in their economies. “Dollar Diplomacy,” as pundits
dubbed it, not only made allies but also made money for American investors.
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Woodrow Wilson and Moral Diplomacy:
o Is a form of Diplomacy proposed by US President Woodrow Wilson in his 1912 election.
Moral Diplomacy is the system in which support is given only to countries whose moral
beliefs are analogous to that of the nation. This promotes the growth of the nation's
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ideals and damages nations with different ideologies. [1] It was used by Woodrow
Wilson to support countries with democratic governments and to economically injure
non-democratic countries (seen as possible threats to the U.S.). He also hoped to
increase the number of democratic nations, particularly in Latin America
Word
New Imperialism
Survival of the Fittest
Frederick Jackson Turner
Alfred T. Mahan
Seward’s Folley
McKinley Tariff
Queen Liliuokalani
Butcher Weyler
Yellow Journalism
Pulitzer and Hearst
DeLome Letter
U.S.S. Maine
Mckinley War Message
Definition
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Teller Amendment
George Dewey
Emilio Aguinaldo
Open Door Policy
Boxer Rebellion
Big Stick Diplomacy
Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine:
Dollar Diplomacy
Moral Diplomacy
Questions:
1. What is the legacy of the age of imperialism?
2. Why do you think more Americans know about the Spanish American War than the Filipino
American War?
3. Do you think that America is still an imperialistic country? What kind of imperialism?
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4. What do you think the GREATEST reason for imperialism was at the turn of the century?
5. Why did it take America later to get on the imperialism bandwagon than other countries in
Europe?
6. Is the age of Imperialism a positive moment for the U.S. or a negative one? Or a little of
both—explain?