U.S. Imperialism

U.S. Expansion 1853

Manifest Destiny

In the late 19th Century the idea of increasing U.S. territory seemed natural to most Americans.

Manifest Destiny – the notion that Americans were a superior people and had the right to control the North American Continent

Manifest Destiny 2

The Civil War had interrupted the nations expansionist march, but once it was over, American looked for new frontiers to conquer.

By 1890, the United States was settled from coast to coast.

Americans had to turn to areas outside of the U.S. to continue to grow

The Turn to Expansionism

During the 1800’s economic expansionism became part of the American experienceU.S. began to export surpluses of goods to foreign markets wanted to open more marketsPolitical leaders began to develop a foreign policy of expansionism

Expansionism to Imperialism

The desire for new markets turned into a desire for an American Empire.It would make America moneyIt was believed that to be strong in a modern world, America must be able to compete in a global market.It must protect its markets and acquire territories.

Reasons for Imperialism

Many Americans believed that taking over new lands beyond the continental U.S. would increase American glory and prestige throughout the world.

Others felt that the United States was a role model and should spread its democratic and Christian values to people in other lands

Reverend Josiah Strong

Author of book Our CountryClaimed Americans were special, God-favored Anglo-Saxon raceRepresent the “purist Christianity, the highest civilization”http://www.boondocksnet.com/ai/kipling/detroit.html

o job is to “lift up” other societies

o“Take up the White Man’s Burden”

oMake uncivilized countries like the U.S.

Imperialism Debate

Imperialists felt that it was America’s right, responsibility to take over other lands.Others believed in expansionism (trade with other nations) but not having power over themAnti-imperialists believed that it would weaken institutions at home, invite war, violate American principle of self-determination (right to choose gov’t. without outside interference)Led to growing US involvement in Latin America, Pacific Islands, Hawaii and Samoa

Revolution in Cuba

Revolution In Cubao Cuba is an island 90 miles off of the coast of Floridao Cuban people struggled for independence from Spain o U.S. identifies with struggle.o Slavery is abolished, but Spanish rule repressivelyo Some saw Cuba as a natural extension of US o Economic interest in sugarcane plantationso 1894 sugar tariff disrupts Cuban economyo Jose Marti gathers money, arms, and men from New York

Revolution BeginsMarti launched revolution from US Destructive war: Rebels destroyed fields, mills, fought Spanish soldiersValereano “Butcher” Weyler (leader of Spanish troops) forced Cubans into “Reconcentration Camps” to separate them from Cuban rebelsHorrifying conditions: hunger, starvation, diseases: 10,000’s deaths (25% population)

Americans Keep Watch

$50 million in interests in plantations

Sensationalized news reports of atrocities in camps

Americans want action; President McKinley doesn’t.

New Spanish gov’t promises reform and autonomy for Cubans

“Remember the Maine!”

destruction of Maine.jpg

In this picture, we see the US battleship Maine exploding in Havana Harbor, Cuba

Spanish troops in Cuba refused to comply with reforms and rioted in Havana (1898)

Spain was not in control of its officials in Cuba ( no control)

Jan. 1898- McKinley sends Battleship Maine to Havana Harbor to protect American citizens and property

On February 15, 1898, the Maine was rocked by an explosion in Havana Harbor that destroyed the battleship, killing 260 American officers and crewIn response to the tragedy, headlines in American papers called for revenge:”Remember the Maine! To war with Spain!”Most Americans believed that Spain had blown up the Maine, even though there was no evidence!

Yellow Journalism Pushes U.S. Towards War

Yellow Journalism-American Newspapers placed blame on Spanish

-Yellow Journalism: Sensation headlines and stories, with little attention to facts, designed to grab the attention and stir up emotions of readers

-Hearst/Pulitzer competition for highest circulation

-“You furnish the photos, I’ll furnish the war!”

Yellow Journalism

McKinley Calls for War

Anti-Spanish sentiment limits McKinley’s options

President still doesn’t want war, but can’t avoid it

March 1898 ultimatum:ArmisticeEnd reconcentrations

WAR!

Spain – Insufficient concessions

April11, 1898 – Congress okays use of force

April 19 – Congress declares Cuba’s independence, direction to use troops

April 25, McKinley signs declaration of war

“The Editor’s to Blame”Now wars are never started by those who have to eventually fight them. And profit is often gained by those who plot and intrigue to ignite them.Now take the recent struggle ‘twixt America and Spain,When all is said and all is done, there’s only one man to blame.

ChorusEditor, Editor, we all know your name.Editor, Editor, you’re the man to blame. (Repeat)

He saw his circulation, sinking mighty low, So he says we need a yarn to put us on the go.Then he looked at Cuba, and then he looked at Spain,He says I’ll tell the world and God, of Cuba’s tragic shame.

Chorus

And so he wrote of pain and tear, of anguish and despair,Taxes made and orphans made, and print both bold and bare.He wrote of bleeding Cuba, he wrote of cruel Spain,He says that we should intervene, in Christianities name.Chorus

And when the country was aroused, as much as we could be, He scribbled of his masterpiece, enthusiastically.He took his yellow-quilted pen, and then with great disdainHe wrote his editorial, and sunk the goodship, Maine

Chorus

This fellow made a lot of money from the Little war,And after it was over, boys, he made a whole lot more.Newspapers all around the land, bear his famous name,But it began the day this man, sunk the goodship, Maine.

Philippines

War In the Philippines

Asst. Sec’y of Navy Theodore Roosevelt, Commodore George Dewey moved six US ships from the port of Hong Kong to invade the PhilippinesMay 1, Dewey and his fleet attacked Spanish squadron in ManilaIn 7 hours, US demolished Spanish forces, sinking all 10 of their ships

Storming of Manila

Dewey blockades harbor to await ground troops

11,000 reinforcements and collaboration with Filipino patriot Emilio Aguinaldo and his rebels, captured Manila on August 13, 1898.

Ironically, Aguinaldo helped based on belief US would guarantee Philippines independence. NOT!

War Moves to Cuba

US Troops in Cuba

17,000 troops land near Santiago, Cuba (Spanish Base)Included many African-American soldiers (Buffalo Soldiers)Wanted independence for Cuba (ancestry)

The Rough Riders

A colorful regiment of volunteers under T. RooseveltCowboys, college students, ex-polo players, and steeple chasersRumor – TR recruited them at a bar in Texas

Rough Riders

Known as “Teddy’s Terrors”TR resigned from Navy to command themWere undisciplined and not always effectiveSymbol of American enthusiasm for fight against SpainBecame legend after charge up San Juan HillUS demoralized Spanish, took sight.

U.S. Defeats Spain

African-Americans in WarBlack Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Battle of Guasimas June 24, 1898

African-American role in Spanish-Am war ignored at the time

Guasimas opened way the way for Rough Rider to rout the Spanish

Crucial to success of San Juan Hill31

Defeating the SpanishBattle at San Juan Hill, last battle

Spanish resistance in Cuba smashed

Puerto Rico, easily conquered in July

John Hay “Splendid Little War”

385 Americans killed; 5,00 died from tropical disease( malaria, yellow fever) and bad food tainted meat

Many quarantined in NY

US as Imperialist Power

Peace

August 12, 1898 Spanish signed peace protocol

Treaty of Paris – October 1898 Independence to CubaCeded Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines to

US for $20 Million

President set up military government in Cuba

Platt Amendment – limited Cuba’s foreign interaction and gave the US right to have naval bases on the island and to send troops if necessary to keep order

Filipino’s were considered “unfit for self-government”

Made Philippines a US colony

Filipino’s wanted self-government

Aguinaldo refused to acknowledge US rule of the islands

Aguinaldo was deported from the Philippines so he couldn’t cause problems