1. Imperialism….
how the U.S. acquired territories
Imperialism: the economic and
political domination by a strong
nation OVER a weaker nation
2. The Need for More Markets
Productivity created surpluses
Export to foreign markets
Spurring of US expansionism
Acquisition of new lands
Increase American glory and prestige
Led to growing involvement in Latin America
and Hawaii and Samoa
5. 2. Military/Strategic Interests
Have a two ocean
navy
Modernize our navy,
from wood to Steel.
Acquire possessions
in the Pacific for use as
coaling and
resupplying stations.
Acquire islands in the
Caribbean.
Build a canal in
Central America.
Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea
Power on History: 1660-1783
6. Henry Cabot Lodge
“Our Blundering
Foreign Policy,”
(March 1895)
“Small states are of the
past and have no future.
. . . The great nations
are rapidly absorbing for
their future expansion
and their present
defense all the waste
places of the earth. It is
a movement which
makes for civilization
and the advancement o
the race. As one of the
great nations of the
world, the United states
must not fall out of the
line of march.”
8. U. S. Business Interests In Hawaii
1875 – Reciprocity
Treaty
1890 – McKinley Tariff
1893 – American
businessmen backed an
uprising against Queen
Liliuokalani.
Sanford Ballard Dole
proclaims the Republic
of Hawaii in 1894.
9. To The Victor Belongs the Spoils
Hawaiian
Annexation
Ceremony, 1898
Annex: To incorporate
into country/state
11. Cuba
Cuba under harsh Spanish rule
Seen as natural expansion for US territory
US imposed sugar tariff caused economic
chaos
Cuban rebels launched revolution against
Spain
Caused economy to fall apart
Massive destruction of countryside
American concerns rose
$50 million invested in sugar industry
Exports to US plummeted
13. Spanish-American War 1898
REMEMBER
USS Maine in Havana Harbor THE
Exploded February 1898 MAINE!!!
Spanish blamed, although was determined an
accident (YELLOW JOURNALISM: exaggeration
of conditions by the U.S. press in order to sell
more newspapers)
US troops sent in
Battle of San Juan Hill
Theodore Roosevelt and Rough Riders
First and last major battle
Treaty of Paris
Cuba gained independence
US acquired Guam and Puerto Rico and
purchased Philippines
14. “Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism
Joseph Pulitzer
Hearst to Frederick Remington:
You furnish the pictures,
and I’ll furnish the war!
William Randolph Hearst
17. The Treaty of Paris: 1898
Cuba was freed from Spanish rule.
Spain gave up Puerto Rico and the island of
Guam.
The U. S. paid Spain
$20 mil. for the
Philippines.
The U. S. becomes
an imperial power!
18. Cuban Independence?
Started as Teller Amendment (1898)
Senator
Orville Platt
Platt Amendment (1903)
1. Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with foreign
powers that would endanger its independence.
2. The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary
to maintain an efficient, independent govt.
3. Cuba must lease Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for naval
and coaling station.
4. Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt.
19. The Roosevelt Corollary to the
Monroe Doctrine: 1905
“Speak softly and carry a big
stick”
Roosevelt Corollary to the
Monroe Doctrine
Asserted right of US to act
as international police power
in Latin America
Chronic wrongdoing… may in America, as
elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by
some civilized nation, and in the Western
Hemisphere the adherence of the United
States to the Monroe Doctrine may force
the United States, however reluctantly, in
flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or
impotence, to the exercise of an
international police power .
21. Panama Canal
TR in Panama
(Construction begins in 1904)
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty signed with Great Britain gave US
exclusive right to build and control any proposed canal
through Central America
22. US assisted with presence-only in
Panama’s fight for independence
US recognized Panama as independent
nation
Signed treaty to build canal
Viewed construction of canal through
Central America as vital to American world
power
**opened up Asia as efficient trading
market… MORE $$$**
26. The Open Door Policy
Secretary John Hay.
Give all nations equal
access to trade in China.
Guaranteed that China would NOT be taken
over by any one foreign power.
28. William H. Taft’s Policy
“Dollar Diplomacy”
Encourage US
businesses to invest in
foreign regions
Use dollars—not
bullets—to advance
US authority and
prosperity while
promoting worldwide
economic stability
29. Woodrow Wilson
US should champion
democracy around
globe and help
maintain world peace
“Moral Diplomacy”—
self-determination
Allowed US to meddle
in Latin America and
Asia
30. Understanding Imperialism
Industrial Revolution surplus products
export goods foreign trade (expansion of
economic markets)
Cuba—area of expansionism for many US businesses;
sought independence from Spain;
Explosion of U.S.S. Maine led to Spanish-American
War Cuban independence and US gained Puerto
Rico, Guam, Philippines thus becoming imperial nation