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/
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