IMPERIALISTIC PRESIDENTS

Learning Target:Explain the foreign policy goals and actions of McKinley, T. Roosevelt and

Taft.

William McKinley1897-1901Republican

Basic Infoelected at the end of a depression eramoral responsibility to spread ChristianityPresidency dominated by foreign policy

Yellow Journalismportrayed unrest in Cuba as very violentcriticized for being weak and indecisivepublic pressure forced McKinley to declare war on Spain

Spanish-American WarU.S. gains land at the end of the warCuba, Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico

U.S. Strengthgains from war moved U.S. amongst top imperialist nationsMcKinley’s decisions during the war praised by journalistsmilitary bases = military strengthtrading ports = economic strength

AssassinationSeptember 1901Leon Czolgosz – anarchist, unemployed factory workerexecuted October 29, 1901

William McKinley1897-1901

Interesting Facts First President to ride in an automobile while President………..it was an ambulance after he was assassinated!

First President to use a telephone to campaign

Commanding Officer during the Civil War was Rutherford B. Hayes who also later became President

McKinley’s wife Ida hated the color yellow so much she had everything yellow removed from the White House including the yellow flowers in the garden

McKinley’s portrait was featured on the $500 bill which was last printed in 1934

McKinley’s inauguration was the first to be filmed

McKinley loved carnations and wore them as a good luck charm

McKinley

• http://www.history.com/topics/spanish-american-war/videos#mckinley-faces-war-assassination

Theodore Roosevelt• Big Stick Diplomacy– “Speak softly and carry a big stick”– Big stick = military– International negotiations backed by

threat of force• U.S. has moral responsibility to

“civilize” weaker nations• Roosevelt Corollary (to Monroe Doctrine)

– U.S. can use “international police power” in Latin America to prevent European nations from intervening

1901 – 1909

Theodore Roosevelt1901-1909Republican

Basic InfoMcKinley’s VP – took over upon McKinley’s assassinationSpanish-American War veteran already had strong reputation with the people

“Speak Softly and Carry A Big Stick”big stick = U.S. naval power Roosevelt had built upnaval power helped make Panama Canal a realityU.S. Navy assisted Panama in gaining her independence from

ColombiaRoosevelt Corollary

corollary – extension of an existing policylarge sums of money invested in Latin America by Europeans and

Americanshigh interest bank loansDominican Republic unable to repay debt

fear that Europe would use force to collect debtCorollary stated the following:

American will intervene and use armed forces in Latin American affairs if necessary

if you mess with Latin America you mess with the United States

Roosevelt Corollary issued without approve from any Latin American countries

Roosevelt showed strength and power of the United States

Theodore Roosevelt1901-1909Republican

Interesting Facts

Roosevelt was the first President to travel outside of the United States – Panama 1906

First American to win the Nobel Peace Price in 1906 for his role in the Russo-Japanese War

Most of Roosevelt’s education was homeschooling by his parents and tutors

Roosevelt was blind in his left eye – the result of a boxing injury

Roosevelt was known to go skinny dipping in the Potomac River during the wintertime

First President to fly in a plane in 1910 – 4 minute flight in a plane built by the Wright Brothers

Youngest President to assume office at the age of 42 – JFK youngest elected at 43

Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy

• http://www.history.com/topics/theodore-roosevelt/videos#roosevelts-big-stick-foreign-policy

William Howard Taft 1909-1913 Republican

Basic Infovery different ideas than Rooseveltdid not believe in stretching his

Presidential powersDollar Diplomacy promote American economic interests in

other countries use that economic power to achieve

American policy goals suggested U.S. buy out European loans in

Latin America wanted to invest 1.6 billion in Latin

American mines, railroads, banana and sugar plantations

Taft investments resented by the Latin American people

Latin America feared too much U.S. economic intervention and control

William Howard Taft1909-1913Republican

Interesting Facts

Taft weighed over 330 pounds – largest President – got stuck in the White House bathtub

Taft was the only President ever to have been both the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and President

First President to throw the first ball of baseball season in 1910 – Philadelphia Athletics and Washington Senators

First President to own a car – converted the stables into a garage

Last President to keep a cow at the White House for fresh milk – Pauline

Referred to the White House as the “loneliest place in the world”

Argued for the construction of the U.S. Supreme Court building

First President to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery – JFK also buried there

Taft and Dollar Diplomacy

• http://www.schooltube.com/video/3c0f20ffce0fca65c463/