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Becoming a World

Power

Unit 23 (1876-1916)

American NationTextbook Pages 614-639

The Panama Canal

President Theodore Roosevelt

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As a result of the Spanish American War of 1898, the United States

acquired an overseas empire. The United States created an era of

imperialism in the Caribbean and Pacific. After the war, the United

States played an increasing role in the affairs of Latin America. As a

result, many Latin Americans began to view the United States with

distrust and anger.

Latin Americans today Spanish American War

1. A Pacific EmpireThe United States increased its role in world affairs throughout

the second half of the nineteenth century. As the nation became

an industrial and commercial power, American leaders sought

new trade opportunities in Asia, Alaska, and Hawaii. Many other

overseas territories came under United States control as well.

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Earlier In his career George Washington followed a policy of

expansionism, or extending its national boundaries. Americans

further pressed further westward to settle.

Isolationism

Expansionism

In his farewell address, as you recall, George Washington had

advised the nation to steer clear of permanent alliances. He

urged Americans to have as little possible connections with our

foreign nations. This policy was called isolationism, or having

to little to do with the political affairs of other nations.

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In the 1860’s the Secretary of the

State, William Seward wanted the

United States to dominate trade in

the Pacific in 1867, he persuaded

Congress to annex the Midway

Island. In this way the island became

part of the United States. Russia in

the 1800’s owned Alaska. Seward

was playing a card game with the

Czar and he offered to sell and

Alaska for $7.2 million dollars to the

United States. The land cost of 2¢

per acre. Most Americans called this

purchase “Seward’s Folly”. They

called this land the “icebox.”

The Purchase of Alaska

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Japan was a small island nation. Fearing

outsiders, the Japanese had cut themselves

off from the world in the 1600’s. American

merchants wanted to open Japan to trade.

They also wanted the Japanese to help

shipwrecked sailors who washed up on their

shores. President Millard Fillmore sent

Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan in the

early 1850’s. Paris presented Japanese

officials with a letter from President Fillmore.

In it, the President asked Japanese to open

trading relations with the United States. Perry

returned in one year with some warships and

a show of power. The Japanese emperor

signed the Treaty of Kanagawa. The treaty

accepted American demands to help

shipwrecks sailors. It also opened Japanese

ports for trade.

Commodore

Matthew Perry

Opening Trade with Japan

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The period between 1870 and 1914

has often been called the Age of

Imperialism. Imperialism is the policy

of powerful countries seeking to

control the economic and political

affairs of weaker countries or

regions. During this period the

United States and Japan became the

imperial powers. One reason for the

growth of imperialism is because

industrial nations of Europe want to

raw materials from Africa and Asia.

Imperialism had other causes. Many

Europeans believe they had a duty to

spread their religion and culture to

people to whom they consider to be

less civilized.

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American factories turned out huge amounts of steel and other

goods. The nation was growing rapidly, and arguments in favor

of expansion held great appeal. Expansionists also argued that

the Americans had a right and a duty to bring western culture to

the uncivilized peoples of the world. Other expansionists

stressed the need to offset the vanishing frontier by gaining

European land.

Click on the pictures to learn more about a Democracy

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Captain Alfred Mahan, of the

United States Navy, argued that

the United States needed a

larger navy to protect American

merchant ships. A bigger navy

would need more bases

throughout the world. Congress

had begun to enlarge the

modernized the navy. New

steam hulled ships were being

built. The navy ships were called

the Great White Fleet because

they were painted white.

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The United States took part

of the island of Samoa. The

people of Samoa had little

say in the matter. The United

States demonstrated they

have power in the lands of

the Pacific Ocean. Soon

afterwards the Americans

took the land called Hawaii

from the King Kalakaua.

When he died his sister,

Liliuokalani came to the

throne. She resented the

Americans that settled in

Hawaii. Faced with American

guns, Liliuokalani give up

her throne. She wrote a

protest to the United States

government.

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Britain, France,

Germany, Russia,

and Japan carved

spheres of

influence in China.

By acquiring Hawaii and Samoa, the United States

gained important footholds in the Pacific. Rivalry

among the industrial nations was very dominant.

China had once been the most advanced empire .in

the world, however, years of civil war weakened the

empire. In addition, China failed to industrialize as

other nations have in the 1800’s.

A sphere of influence is an area, usually near

seaport and run by a nation. The sphere had special

trading privileges.

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In 1868, the Cuban people rebelled against

Spanish rule. The revolution was crushed.

Lola Rodriguez de Tio wrote patriotic

poetry in support of Cuban independence

movement. The rebels fought against

Spanish rule with a growing concern.

Americans invested more than $50 million

in the island of Cuba. American trade with

Cuba was worth about $100,000,000.00 a

year.

2. War With Spain

Opinion split over whether the United States

should intervene in Cuba. Hearst used

yellow journalism, or sensational stories

that were often biased or untrue. Hearst

said, “you supply the pictures we will

supply the war.”

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In 1898, fighting broke out in Havana, the Cuban capital.

President McKinley sent the battleship Maine to Havana to protect

the American citizens there. On February 15, a huge explosion

ripped through the ship. The explosion killed at least 260 of the

350 sailors and officers on board.

Yellow journalists used the explosion to push the Americans into

the war in Cuba. The real cause of the explosion remains a

mystery today.

The battleship Maine The battleship Maine

sinking

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On April 25, 1898 President McKinley declared war on

Spain. This war was called the Spanish-American War.

The Spanish-American war lasted only four months. The

navy Secretary, Theodore Roosevelt, felt it was important

to attack the Spanish in the Philippines as soon as the

war began. George Dewey, commander of the Pacific

fleet followed Roosevelt’s instructions immediately after

war was declared.

Theodore

Roosevelt

George

Dewey

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Meanwhile, American troops had landed in Cuba. None

were more eager than Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt

organized The First Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, later

called the Rough Riders. During the battle for the city

of Santiago, Roosevelt led the roughriders in charge of

the San Juan Hill. This battle was called The Battle of

San Juan Hill. American troops were successful in

taking the hill.

Theodore

Roosevelt

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Two days later, the Americans destroyed the Spanish fleet in

Santiago Bay. The Spanish army in Cuba surrendered. American

troops then landed on Puerto Rico and claimed the island. Spain

then agreed to sign an armistice, thus ending the fighting.

In a peace treaty signed in Paris in December of 1898, Spain agreed

to grant Cuba its freedom. After the war, American soldiers remained

in Cuba while the nation debated who would rule. In the end, the

United States let the Cuban people write their own constitution.

However, Cuba had to accept the Platt Amendment. The amendment

allowed the United States to intervene in Cuba and gave the United

States control of the naval base in Guantá Namo Bay.

In effect, the amendment made Cuba an American protectorate, a

nation whose independence is limited by the control of a more

powerful country.

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Each nation made their

own laws and privileges.

They encouraged an open

door policy in China.

Under the policy, all

nations could trade with

one another in China

Many Chinese opposed

foreign influences in the

country. These people

will call the boxers.

In 1900, the boxers rebelled. They attacked farmers

in China. They killed more than 200 people.

Americans armed with modern weapons stopped the

boxer rebellion and freed all the captives that the

boxers held. This is called a Boxer Rebellion.

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When Theodore Roosevelt became President in 1901, he was

determined to build a canal through the Isthmus of Panama. An

Isthmus in a narrow strip of land connecting larger bodies of land.

Panama was the perfect place for canal because of its location.

Roosevelt knew that a canal would greatly benefit the American

commerce and military capability. It would also reduce the cost

and shipping goods. A revolution between Columbia and Panama

began. The people of Panama revolted against the Columbian’s

this made it very hard for Roosevelt to build the isthmus. Soon,

Panama won their independence from Columbia. The United States

recognized the new nation. Panama and then agreed to let the

United States build a canal.

3. The United States in Latin America

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In building the Canal, tropical heat at mosquitoes made it very

difficult. Two tropical diseases were very common; Yellow Fever and

Malaria. Under the supervision of army engineer Colonel George

Geothals, more than 40,000 workers struggled to dig the canal.

Finally in 1914, the first coach and steamship traveled through the

Panama Canal. In 1904, Roosevelt announced an important addition

to the Monroe Doctrine. In the Roosevelt Corollary, he claimed the

right of the United States to intervene in Latin America to preserve

law and order. Over the next twenty years, sell the President’s

including Roosevelt, used this police power.

Colonel

George

Geothals

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American investors responded eagerly. They helped build roads,

railroads, and harbors in Latin America. The United States use

built a force to keep order in Latin America. Woodrow Wilson,

elected President in 1912, disliked the heavy handed foreign

policies of his past predecessors. He proposed instead a policy of

moral diplomacy. Wilson’s goals were to condemn imperialism,

spread democracy, and promote peace. Nevertheless, Wilson

ordered military intervention in lead America more than any other

President.

Roosevelt successor, William Howard Taft, also favored a strong

American role in Latin America. He urged American bankers to

invest in Latin America. This policy of building strong economic

ties to Latin America became known as the dollar diplomacy.

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Mexican President Diaz was the

Mexican President from 1884 to 1911

welcomed American investments.

Meanwhile, most Mexicans remain

poor. These harsh conditions led to

widespread discontent. In 1910,

Mexicans rebelled against Diaz.

Francisco “Pancho” Villa led the

resistance in a Civil War in Mexico.

To capture Villa, President Wilson

sent General John J. Pershing with

an army of several thousand

soldiers. In 1917, after failing to

capture Villa, Wilson ordered

Pershing’s army to withdraw.

Relations with Mexico

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