Imperialism

7. Why did the Spanish American War begin? What were its results?

Causes of the War…• Spanish colonies fighting

for independence – Cuba, Philippines

• US journalists reported about the fighting (yellow press)

• US had economic interests in Cuba

• US battleship was sunk (U.S.S. Maine)

Results of the War• US became a world

power – gained Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam from Spain for $20 million

• Cuba became a protectorate of the US

• Rebellion in Philippines – 3 year war with US

8. How did new societies emerge in

Canada, Australia and New Zealand?

Canada• Britain gradually &

peacefully allowed freedom while still controlling foreign policy & trade

• In the mid 1800s became a dominion – self governing nation

Australia• British penal colony – prison• Later granted free land to

settlers• Gold rush caused population

boom• Ranchers & farmers • Pushed out the native

Aborigines (~Natives in US)• Granted self-gov’t, but kept

close ties to Britain

New Zealand• Similar to Canada &

Australia – gained independence peacefully and maintained close ties to England

• Native population – Maori – farmers – fought for their land, devastated by English

9. How did Latin America respond to

the growth of American influence in

their region?

• 20 separate nations• Many tried to model

their gov’t after the US but most failed

• Political & social hierarchy remained same, church kept power

• US became more involved and Latin Am. felt threatened

• Monroe Doctrine – US foreign policy for most of the 1800s; warned Europe to stay out of Latin America and the US would stay out of Europe

• Roosevelt Corollary – addition to the M.D.; promised the US would get involved in Latin Am. if necessary

Panama Canal • Colombia refused to

sell land to US to build a canal to connect Atlantic & Pacific

• US helped Panama revolt against Colombia

• Panama allowed US to begin building the canal