America Becomes a World Power

Key VocabularyImperialism: Economic

and political domination of a strong nation over a weaker nation

Protectorate: Imperial power allows local rulers to stay in control and protects them against rebellions

Superiority/Power (Militarily, Culturally, Politically)

New Markets

Raw Materials

Trade without tariffs

Social Darwinism (European competition)

Manifest Destiny (and beyond!)

Anglo-Saxonism: English-speaking nations superior in many ways

Why become imperialistic?

The Role of MilitaryCaptain Alfred Mahan’s Influence

of Sea Power upon History

◦Argues great nations had large naval fleets of merchant ships and naval power to defend right to trade

◦Congress buys into the idea and decides to create a modern navy

Pacific ExpansionismMatthew Perry opens up Japan

◦ Japan hesitant for cultural reasons◦American power on display◦Trade and peace agreement

Annexation of Hawaii◦Ports for merchants and military◦Sugarcane farming (US help during recession)◦Queen Liliuokalani tries to gain more power,

marines and American planters overthrow gov’t

◦New gov’t asks to join US

Latin America and USPan-Americanism

◦US and Latin America should work together for peace and trade

Spanish-American WarSpain controls Cuba and Puerto Rico

◦Cuban rebellions against Spain fairly common

◦US-Cuba Economic Relationship Key

◦ Jose Marti: Cuban rebel exiled to US…preps for war

◦US neutrality—rebels hoping for US intervention

◦USS Maine exploded in Havana Bay (US in war)

Role of Yellow JournalismYellow Journalism: Sensational

Reports to attract readers…often exaggerated◦“Blood, Blood, Blood” in Cuba◦Prisoners of war being fed to sharks

& dogs!

William Randolph Hearst (NY Journal)

Joseph Pulitzer (NY World)

War on Two FrontsBlockade of Cuba & Attack

Philippines

Philippines◦ Manila Bay: Dewey defeats

Spaniards with ease◦ Emilio Aguinaldo: Rebel against

Spain in Philippines launches new attack

Cuba◦ Armies not prepared at all

(deaths by disease)◦ Naval battles key◦ Rough Riders on mainland

crucial

ResultsCuba: Free

Guam & Puerto Rico: US possession

Philippines: ???◦For US takeover: Economic & military

reasons; Savior of “Less Civilized” People◦Against takeover: Filipino labor would hurt

American workforce; cost of empire high◦Ultimately US buys Philippines in treaty w/

Spain

Post-WarCuba

◦Platt Amendment makes it a protectorate of the United States

Puerto Rico◦Foraker Act: Creates PR government but allows

US to have final authority

Philippines◦Aguinaldo unhappy with US (attacks US)◦Taft tries to win using social improvements◦Aguinaldo captured and calls on end of war

China

European “Spheres of Influence”◦Russia, Britain, France, etc. with leases on

Chinese land◦US concerned this would keep other countries

out of markets

Open Door Policy: all countries can trade within China regardless of leases

Boxer RebellionSociety of Harmonious Fists

(Boxers) attempt to destroy those corrupting Chinese society◦Europeans, Chinese Christians, etc.

Major nations intervene after embassies are besieged◦Agree to not break up China◦Open Door Policy remains in place

Roosevelt Policies

Make US a World Power◦Negotiated peace between

Russia/Japan (1905)◦Upheld Open Door Policy in China◦Display military power

“Speak softly, but carry a big stick” Great White Fleet: 16 battleships on global

voyage to demonstrate military might◦Roosevelt Corollary: US will intervene

in Latin America to maintain stability in Western Hem.

Latin AmericaDollar Diplomacy of Taft

◦Support economies of Latin America and they will rise out of poverty

Wilson & Mexico◦Victoriano Huerta overthrows Mexican govt◦Wilson refuses to recognize government not

based on law—helps those against Huerta◦US helps Carranza becomes Mexican

president, but Pancho Villa begins guerrilla attacks

◦Wilson sends in military to find Villa without success

Panama CanalRoosevelt believed a canal through

Central America key to American power◦Hay-Pauncefote Treaty: gave US exclusive

right to build canal in Central America◦Considered Panama and Nicaragua◦Problem: Columbia owns Panama and

refused to give US the right to build Panamanians revolt against Columbia, worried

that their economy will crash without canal Philippe Bunau-Varilla of France plans revolt w/

US Support