Download NCSCOS 6.03

U.S. Imperialist Policies:
Late 1800s-1914
Michael Quiñones, NBCT
WWW.SOCIALSTUDIESGUY.COM
What is Imperialism?

The root word, believe it or
not, in empire.

Powerful European countries
such as England wanted to
either expand their borders
and exploit natural
resources of weaker
territories.

Weaker territories taken over
are called colonies.

Many imperialist countries
have fought each other for
control over colonies.
Anti-Imperialism League

After the Spanish-American
War several prominent U.S.
citizens, especially
intellectuals, opposed
American imperialist policies.

People such as John Dewey,
Mark Twain, Jane Addams and
Andrew Carnegie believed
imperialism especially in Asia
[the Philippines specifically]
was an abrogation [violation] of
the republican principles the
U.S. was founded on.
Annexation of Hawaii

Americans such as Sanford Dole
whose families had moved to
Hawaii in the 1830s and 1840s
were initially welcomed warmly
by Hawaii’s monarchy.

After newer larger plantation
owners came to Hawaii in the
1870s and 1880s they pushed to
remove the Queen.

Rich fruit company owners led by
Dole’s descendants convinced
the U.S. military to dethrone and
remove Queen Liliuokalani.

Hawaii was officially annexed
[taken over] by the U.S. in 1898. It
later became the 50th state in
1959.
Fruit Planter Sanford Dole
Hawaii’s Queen
Liliuokalani
Open Door Policy

From 1898-1900 the United States and European countries competed for
spheres of influence throughout China.

After the United States acquired the Philippines after the Spanish-American
War it wanted to expand its Asian markets.

Although there was much apprehension and constant mistrust among
China’s guest countries Chinese ports were open to foreign trade.
Boxer Rebellion
In response to perceived exploitation by foreign countries young Chinese men,
many of whom were martial artists, rebelled against Western nations with the
tacit approval of the Chinese empress.
 Off and on for roughly 2 years battles between the Boxers and foreign nations
occurred in many provinces throughout China.
 Western nations convinced China’s empress that ending the war was beneficial
to her and the nation.
 China executed many Boxers by beheading and paid reparations to Western
nations.

The Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment was added to a federal law in 1901.
 The purpose of the Platt Amendment was to ensure that Cuba would
remain tied to the United States [even after independence].
 The following conditions were placed on Cuba:
[a] Cuba must not make treaties that would weaken its independence.
[b] Cuba must allow the U.S. to buy or lease the Guantanamo Bay naval
base.
[c] Cuba must keep debts low to avoid foreign conflicts and wars.
[d] The U.S. reserved the right to involve itself to maintain order and
independence .

The Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt built onto the foreign
policy established by President
Monroe.

The Monroe Doctrine asserted
the U.S. would respond militarily
if European powers interfered in
the Caribbean and Latin
America.

Roosevelt added that the U.S.
would intervene by force, if
necessary, into the affairs of
Caribbean nations if they could
not pay debts or posed a threat
to U.S. interests.
Big Stick Diplomacy



To assert and maintain control of the American sphere of influence President
Teddy Roosevelt used what he called Big Stick Diplomacy.
His motto [borrowed from ad old African proverb was “speak softly and carry
a big stick.”]
The metaphor was meant to clearly state his intent to carry out a foreign
policy based on strong military action when needed to support U.S. interests.
Echoing Alfred Mahan’s opinion that a strong navy would aid this mission the
U.S. Navy was essential to projecting U.S. power.
Dollar Diplomacy

Roosevelt decided not to run for reelection in 1908.

His protégé William Howard Taft won the
1908 election.

Taft decided to maintain U.S. foreign
policy influence by using financial
resources to bribe, loan or prop up failing
Caribbean nations.

The use of military force was minimized
compared to the Monroe Doctrine and
Roosevelt Corollary.
Missionary Diplomacy

President Woodrow Wilson proposed and supported alternatives to the
Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt Corollary.

Instead of using violence and military force Wilson promoted American
idealism [concept that the should spread goodwill and democracy] U.S. and
threatened non-recognition of [refuse to trade or communicate with] foreign
countries [especially Latin American nations].
Image Sources
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http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=692716050
658&id=6f14d695251c2bf152fb7eb66f66f771
http://73094629.nhd.weebly.com/uploads/6/6/3/9/6639736/1
01420.jpg?285
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:McKinley_Destroys_Imperiali
sm_Straw_Man.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e0_yU5qZu9s/TMic5GC0SlI/AAAA
AAAAADs/3VFLO1Fzs9Q/s1600/boxer_rebellion_death_chi
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http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/sscience/history/devilfis
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