U.S. History Chapter 18 NotesAmerica Claims an Empire
Global competition prompts the United States to expand its influence and territory engage
in conflicts around the globe, and build the Panama Canal.
Section 1Imperialism and America
Beginning in 1867 and continuing through the century, global competition causes the
United States to expand
United Sates expands overseas
• 1906 - Fleet of 16 U.S. battleships sail around the world
• Showed the world that the U.S. was a power to be reckoned with
• Important step in expanding America's international interest
• The Great White Fleet
Reasons for American Expansion
• Imperialism - policy of extending control over weaker nations - European countries practiced this in the 1700's and 1800's
• 1800s - Europeans divided up most of Africa & competed for China
• Japan joined race for China & U.S. decided to expand overseas
• U.S. didn't want to do this in the beginning - Once colonies ourselves - Couldn't afford a war
• Our attitude changed in the late 1800's for several reasons - Nationalism - U.S. united again following Civil War- People wanted to be a world power- Needed colonies to be one
Reasons for American Expansion
• U.S developed a desire for Desire for military strength - Admiral Alfred T. Mahan urges U.S. to build up navy to compete- U.S. builds modern battleships, becomes third largest naval power
Reasons for American Expansion• New ideas - Charles Darwin
- survival of the fittest- Social Darwinism - Americans believed that their society was superior and would spread throughout the world
• People argued the U.S. had duty to Christianize or civilize “inferior peoples”- Also used to support racism
Reasons for American Expansion
• Foreign Markets - people wanted new markets for American goods- U.S. farms, factories produced more than Americans could consume- U.S. needed raw materials& new markets for goods- Foreign trade was the solution to overproduction, unemployment, & depression- Began exporting more than we were importing
Seward and Expansion • William Seward – Served as
Secretary of State under Lincoln & Johnson - Tried to gain new lands for U.S.
• 1867 - ordered navy to occupy the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean- Valuable as a Fueling station to refuel ships
Seward and Expansion• 1867 - Arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia for
$7.2 million- Had trouble convincing House to fund purchase- Alaska called “Seward’s Icebox,” “Seward’s Folly”- Alaska rich in timber, minerals, oil
• Arranged for the U.S. to buy the Virgin Islands from Denmark (Didn't actually occur until 1917)- Also wanted to add the Hawaiian Islands
The Annexation of Hawaii• 1790s - U.S. merchants began
stopping in Hawaii on way to China, India
• Early 1800's - Christian missionaries moved to Hawaii to convert the people- Yankee missionaries founded schools & churches on islands- Many of the missionaries’ descendants became wealthy sugar and pineapple planters- They controlled the government
The Annexation of Hawaii
• Mid-1800s, American-owned sugar plantations 75% of islands’ wealth
• 1887, businessmen force King Kalakaua to limit vote to landowners
• 1887, U.S. pressures Hawaii to allow naval base at Pearl Harbor - Became refueling station
The Annexation of Hawaii• 1891 - Queen Liliuokalani
came to power- She wanted to regain control of the island- Tried to remove landowning requirement
• Planters called the U.S. government for help
• Hawaii was valuable refueling station
• U.S. sent marines- Marines and planters overthrew Queen
The Annexation of Hawaii• Set up an independent
republic- Sanford Dole named president
• Hawaii asked to be annexed by the u.s.- Grover Cleveland didn't want to annex it- President Cleveland cannot make Dole surrender power to queen- recognized Republic of Hawaii
The Annexation of Hawaii
• 1898 – Hawaii was annexed following the Spanish American War- Congress proclaimed Hawaii a U.S. territory under President McKinley
Section 2The Spanish-American
WarIn 1898, the United States goes to
war to help Cuba win its independence from Spain.
Rebellion against Spain
• Spain's empire was crumbling- Had once controlled most of the Americas - Late 1800's - Spain had only a few colonies
• Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Philippines began wanting independence
Rebellion against Spain
• Situation in Cuba interested U.S.- Cuba located 90 miles south of U.S.- American business interest had been growing (sugarcane)- Fighting caused trade with Cuba to drop
Rebellion against Spain
• 1896 - Spain sent General Valeriano Weyler to Cuba to crush the revolt- He treated the Cubans harshly- Put about 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps - Many died of starvation
• American press told stories about the cruelty to stir up people emotions
Rebellion against Spain
• Two papers fighting for customers (circulation war)- The World owned by Joseph Pulitzer- Journal owned by William Randolph Hearst
• They wrote sensationalized writing stories to attract customers- Called yellow journalism
America goes to War• President McKinley didn't want to go to war
- He had fought in the Civil War• Public pressure forced McKinley to take action against Spain
- He demanded that Spain stop its harsh treatment of Cubans - Spain sent general Weyler home but didn't stop treatment
• February 9, 1898 - U.S. recovered a private letter written by a Spanish minister named Enrique Dupuy de Lôme- He called President McKinley weak- Spain apologized & de Lôme resigned- American public remained angry
America goes to War• U.S.S. Maine sent to pick up
U.S. citizens, protect U.S. property - The Maine exploded in Havana Harbor - U.S. blames Spain - "Remember the Maine” became war cry
America goes to War
• April 29, 1898 - President McKinley declared Cuba independent– The Spanish- American
War began
Pacific War• U.S. entered war to fight for
Cuba's freedom• 1st battle takes place half
way around the world- Manila Bay in the Philippines
• Before war Teddy Roosevelt sent fleet of ships to Hong Kong
Pacific War• Led by Commodore George
Dewey • May 1, 1898 - battle takes
place- Filipinos, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, supported Dewey- Over 300 Spanish killed and defeated - Dewey became hero in U.S- Bubble gum named after him (Dewey's Chewys).
The War in the Caribbean• U.S. only had 28,000 men
when war started - 200,000 signed up within 6 months
• Teddy Roosevelt picked a group of soldiers known as the "Rough Riders" - Chose a diverse group- Cowboys, N.Y. City policemen, athletes, and American Indians
The War in the Caribbean
• They set sail for Cuba from Tampa, Florida- Had to wear wool uniforms (lightweight uniforms hadn't arrived yet)- Food spoiled in the heat- Men became sick
• U.S. wanted to capture the port of Santiago- Had to control San Juan Hill to do this
The War in the Caribbean
• Rough Riders attacked and took San Juan Hill- Didn't have horses (they were left behind in Florida)- Roosevelt declared hero of attack on strategic San Juan Hill- Aug. 12 1898 - Spain signs truce
Treaty of Paris• August 12, 1898 – Spain & U.S. signed armistice • Met in Paris to make treaty• U.S. shocked Spain at the treaty signing in France
- Demanded the Spain hand over Puerto Rico, the island of Guam, and the Philippines (war had been fought over Cuba)- Spain didn't have any choice
• Spain freed Cuba; handed Guam, Puerto Rico to U.S. & sold Philippines
• Treaty of Paris touched off a great debate over imperialism- McKinley tried to justify annexation of Philippines on moral grounds- Opponents gave political, moral, economic arguments against
Results of the War• U.S. didn't grant Cuba
independence immediately - Cuba had to agree to the Platt Amendment- It gave the U.S. the right interfere in Cuban affairs when there was a threat to life, property, and individual liberty - Cuba had to allow an American naval base at Guantanamo Bay until 1999
Results of the War
• Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory
• Had its own elected legislature and a governor chosen by the president
• 1917, Puerto Ricans made U.S. citizens; elect both houses
Results of the War• Guam was controlled by the
U.S. navy• President McKinley decided
that the Philippines should become an American Colony- Philippines wanted independence- Revolted against the U.S. - 1902 - U.S. troops finally restored order
• July 4, 1946, Philippines became independent
Section 3Acquiring New Lands
In the early 1900s, the United States engages in conflicts in Puerto Rico,
Cuba, and the Philippines.
Ruling Puerto Rico
• Not all Puerto Ricans wanted independence. Some wanted statehood, while still others hope for some measure of local self-government as an American territory.
• -Puerto Rico was important to the US for maintaining a US presence in the Caribbean and for protecting a future canal in Panama.
Ruling Puerto Rico
• *Foraker Act- passed in 1900, this act ended military rule and set up a civil government in Puerto Rico.
• -The act gave the president of the US the power to appoint Puerto Rico's governor and members of the upper house of this legislature.
Cuba and the US
• -When the US declared war against Spain in 1898; it recognized Cuba's independence from Spain.
• *Teller Amendment- stated that the US had no intention of taking over any part of Cuba.
• -US aided Cuba -- food, clothes, schools, medical research, and sanitation.
US and Cuba
• -It remained in effect for 31 years. • Cuba became a US *protectorate- a country
whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger nation.
Teller Amendment Teller Amendment (1898)(1898)
Platt AmendmentPlatt Amendment (1903) (1903)
1.1. Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with foreign powers that would endanger its foreign powers that would endanger its independence.independence.
2.2. The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary to maintain an efficient, independent necessary to maintain an efficient, independent govt.govt.
3.3. Cuba must lease Cuba must lease Guantanamo BayGuantanamo Bay to the U.S. for to the U.S. for naval and coaling station.naval and coaling station.
4.4. Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt.Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt.
Cuban Independence?Cuban Independence?Cuban Independence?Cuban Independence?
Senator Orville Platt
Senator Orville Platt
Emilio AguinaldoEmilio AguinaldoEmilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo
LLeader of the Filipinoeader of the FilipinoUprising.Uprising.
July 4, 1946:July 4, 1946:Philippine Philippine independenceindependence
Power in the Pacific • U.S. always had interest in Pacific
- 1853 - U.S. navy landed in Tokyo Bay - Led by Commodore Matthew Perry
• He carried a letter from President Millard Fillmore
• U.S. wanted Japan to open ports to American trade- Carried gifts- Made it clear that Japan should not refuse president's request
Interest in China• U.S. joined other countries
in competing for control of China- Saw China as vast potential market for investment & opportunity
• France, Britain, Japan, Russia had settlements, & spheres of influence
• U.S. came up with trade policy
• U.S. Secretary of State John Hay issued Open Door notes
Interest in China
• Open Door Policy - no single country had a monopoly on trade with China- Notes ask imperialist nations to share trading rights with U.S.- Other powers reluctantly agree
The Boxer Rebellion in China
• Europeans dominate most large Chinese cities
• Chinese formed secret societies, including Boxers, to expel foreigners
• Boxers killed hundreds of foreigners & Chinese converts to Christianity
• U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Japan put down Boxer Rebellion
Protecting American Rights
• Hay issued new Open Door notes saying U. S. would keep trade open
• Open Door policy reflected beliefs about U.S. economy:- Growth depended on exports- U.S. had right to keep markets open- Closing of area threatens U.S. survival
The Anti-Imperialist League
• Several; well known Americans opposed overseas expansion- Andrew Carnegie- Mark Twain
• They believed that the U.S. should not deny other the right to govern themselves
• Their argument lost as everyone celebrated the war victory
• 1902 - McKinley’s reelection confirmed most Americans favored imperialism
Section 4America as a World Power
The Russo-Japanese War, the Panama Canal, and the Mexican Revolution add to America’s military and economic power.
Teddy Roosevelt and the World• Roosevelt didn’t not want
Europeans to control world economy & politics
• 1904 - Japan & Russia disputed control of Korea (Japanese-Russo War)
• Roosevelt negotiated Treaty of Portsmouth: - Japan received Manchuria & Korea- Roosevelt won Nobel Peace Prize
• U.S. & Japan continued diplomatic talks - Pledged to respect each other’s possessions
The Panama Canal• U.S. wanted canal to cut
travel time of commercial & military ships
• Colombia controlled the isthmus of Panama (Best Spot)
• U.S. bought French company’s route through Panama
• Negotiated with Colombia to build Panama Canal - Talks broke down
The Panama Canal
• French company agent helped organize Panamanian rebellion - U.S. gave military aid
• Panama gained independence
• U.S., Panama sign treaty• U.S. paid $10 million
for Canal zone
Constructing the Canal
• Construction of canal is one of world’s greatest engineering feats- fought diseases & geographic obstacles- at height, 43,400 workers employed
• 5000 workers died• Finished in 1914• Canal cost $352 million
dollars
Policing the Hemisphere• Roosevelt wanted it made clear
that the U.S was the leading power in the Americas- Speak softly and carry a big stick"
• Roosevelt reminded Europe about the Monroe Doctrine
- It said that the U.S would police the western hemisphere
• Added the Roosevelt Corollary - added to the Monroe Doctrine- Said that if a situation arose that required international police power the U.S. would do the job
Policing the Hemisphere
• Later presidents expanded Roosevelt's" Big Stick Diplomacy"- Encouraged U.S. companies to invest in Latin America- Promised military support
Policing the Hemisphere
• Dollar diplomacy—U.S. guarantees foreign loans by U.S. business
• Latin Americans saw U.S. as bullies- Created distrust between U.S. and it Latin American neighbors
U.S. involvement in Latin America
• Business leaders realized they could by products cheaply in Latin America and sell them in the U.S. (coffee, bananas, and copper)
• Bought large tracts of land- Many people lost their land and were forced to take low paying jobs
Woodrow Wilson’s Missionary Diplomacy
• Missionary diplomacy - U.S. had moral responsibility:- would not recognize regimes that are oppressive, undemocratic
• A lot of U.S. investment in Mexico under dictator Porfirio Díaz,
• 1911, peasants & workers led by Francisco Madero overthrew Díaz (Mexican Revolution)
• General Victoriano Huerta took over government & Madero was murdered
• Wilson refused to recognize Huerta’s government
Intervention in Mexico
• Huerta’s officers arrested U.S. sailors & quickly release them
• Wilson ordered Marines to occupy Veracruz
• Argentina, Brazil, & Chile mediated to avoid war
• Huerta regime falls & nationalist Venustiano Carranza became new president
Rebellion in Mexico• Francisco “Pancho” & Villa,
Emiliano Zapata opposed Carranza- Zapata wanted land reform- Villa was a fierce nationalist
• Wilson recognizes Carranza’s government
• Villa threatened reprisals- Villa’s men killed Americans
Chasing Villa• Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing led
forces to capture Villa• Carranza demanded withdrawal
of U.S. troops- Wilson refuses at first
• U.S. faced war in Europe & wants peace on southern border (WWI)- Wilson ordered Pershing home
• Mexico adopted new constitution: - Government controls oil, minerals - restricted foreign investors
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