American ImperialismChina /The Caribbean / Mexico

When a nation feels its national best interests are at stake, does it have the right

to compromise another nation’s state of existence?

Focus Question

American Imperialism1890 to 1920

Mr. Verria /North Kingstown High School

China

During the late 1800’s China

was carved into spheres of

influence by many European

countries.

American Imperialism: China

The United States pressed for an open door trade policy in China.

The most productive industrial nation in the world, the United States knew that an free and open trade would benefit their country.

American Imperialism: China

• Tired of outside control of their country, the Chinese Boxers initiated a campaign of murder, eventually targeting foreigners.

• By mid-August an international coalition succeeded in driving the Boxers out of Peking.

American Imperialism: China

As punishment for the Boxer Rebellion, the Chinese government had to pay $333 million to foreign powers, and expand the trade privileges of the victor nations.

American Imperialism: China

The U.S. used the some of the proceeds for Chinese students to attend U.S. colleges.

In his second set of Open Door notes, Hay sought

ways to “preserve Chinese territorial and

administrative entity.”

American Imperialism: China

To impress the world with the United States capabilities and might, President Roosevelt sent the Great White Fleet on a world wide mission.

American Imperialism: China

Was the United States imperialistic in its treatment before, during and after the

Boxer Rebellion?

U.S. Imperialism and China

Focus Question

American ImperialismThe Caribbean / Panama

Mr. Verria / North Kingstown High School

The Caribbean

received much

attention during the

early 1900’s.

This was perhaps more true with Panama than any other area in the region.

The Oregon’s trip around South America in 1898 proved to many the need for a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

American ImperialismThe Caribbean / Focus Panama

The Hay Pauncefote Treaty gave the U.S. the rights to build the canal, making the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850) null and void.

American ImperialismThe Caribbean / Focus Panama

The location of the canal, however, continued to be a subject of debate.

American ImperialismPanama

• The U.S. negotiated with Columbia , of which Panama was apart.

• The Columbians held out for more money.

• President Roosevelt lost patience and supported an induced revolution in Panama.

• Upon the revolution’s successful completion, the U.S. quickly recognized the new nation, reaching an agreement for building the canal.

Though privately Theodore Roosevelt

exclaimed he had “took the

canal,” publicly he denied such thoughts.

Either way ...

… construction of the canal began in earnest.

American ImperialismPanama Canal Construction

Despite the efforts of medical and engineering personnel (Dr. Carlos Finlay, Dr. Walter Reed, William Gorgas,) 5,600 construction workers died of Yellow Fever building the canal.

American ImperialismRoosevelt Corollary / Dollar Diplomacy

• The Roosevelt Corollary established the U.S. as the self-proclaimed policeman of the Western Hemisphere.

• Under President Taft, dollar diplomacy used financial resources to influence outlying areas without actually controlling them.

American Imperialism

Whether the strategy was that of a “policeman,” a diplomat,

a warrior, or a missionary, the United States continued to

pursue the path of imperialism.

American Imperialism

Mexico:

on the Eve of the Great War

American ImperialismMexico in Revolution

Porfirio Diaz

Francisco Madero

Victoriano Huerta

Pancho Villa

American ImperialismMexico in Revolution:

The U.S. ReactionWhile tempted to act, President Wilson practiced what became known as “watchful waiting.”

When Woodrow Wilson did react after the Tampico incident (occupying Vera Cruz,) the ABC powers mediated a peace settlement.

World War I

The greatest test of American foreign policy was on the Horizon

American ImperialismChina /The Caribbean / Mexico

When a nation feels its national best interests are at stake, does it have the right

to compromise another nation’s state of existence?

Focus Question