Chapter 18: America Claims an EmpireSection 1: Imperialism and AmericaSection 2: The Spanish-American-Cuban WarSection 3: Acquiring New LandsSection 4: America as a World Power

Section 1: Imperialism & AmericaObjectivesTo summarize the causes & effects of

European and Asian imperialism

To identify factors that influenced American imperialism

To explain how the United States acquired Hawaii

Global Imperialism: EuropeImperialism: the policy in which stronger nations

extend their economic, political or military control over weaker territories

By the 19th century Africa was a prime target for European expansion or imperialism

Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Portugal & Spain had divided Africa up into European colonies

Great Britain also established colonies in Asia & the Pacific

From 1837-1901, Britain had built an empire that included a quarter of the world’s land and people

Global Imperialism: Asia

Japan replaced its feudal order with a central government modeled after Western nations

Joined European nations in their imperialist competition in China during the 1800s

American ImperialismThree factors fueled the new American

imperialism:Economic competition among industrial nations

Political & military competition, including the creation of a strong naval force

A belief in the racial and cultural superiority of Anglo-Saxons (the people of England & their descendants)

Economic CompetitionNeeded new markets for its manufactured goods1. Advances in technology enabled American farm

& factories to produce more than we could consume

2. Needed raw materials from other countries for factories

Imperialists viewed foreign trade as the solution to overproduction, unemployment & economic depression

Desire For Military StrengthU.S. wanted to establish a global military

presenceAlfred T. Mahan, President of the Naval War

College, argued for a strong U.S. navy to defend the peacetime shipping lanes essential to American economic growth

He suggested we build a modern fleet, establish naval bases in the Caribbean, construct a canal in Panama & acquire Hawaii & other Pacific islands

U.S. built 9 steel hulled ships and battleships – transformed the U.S. into the world’s 3rd largest naval power

Anglo-Saxon SuperioritySome American believed that the notion of

ethnic superiority justified imperialismCombined the thinking of Social

Darwinism: survival of the fittestThey said it was the U.S.’s responsibility

to spread Christianity & civilization to the world’s inferior people

Anti-ImperialismSome saw imperialism as a threat to the

Anglo-Saxon heritage

Objected to U.S. imperialism on moral and practical grounds – should not dominate other countries

Costs of maintaining a military force large enough to protect U.S. positions abroad were too expensive

Spanish-Cuban-American WarCuban rebels started a violent revolution

against Spanish rule in 1895. These rebels were acting out, in part because

of a depression caused by a decline in U.S. sugar purchases from Cuba.

Rebel violence led to more repressive actions by the Spanish.

Leaders

Theodore RooseveltGeorge DeweyWilliam Randolph HearstGeneral Weyler “The Butcher” Emilio Aguinaldo

William McKinley, Jr. 1843-190125th PresidentWanted to avoid war in CubaYellow journalism and public

supported war In April 1898, President

McKinley abandoned his failed diplomatic efforts and asked Congress for permission to intervene in Cuba.

Theodore Roosevelt Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

“I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one”

First Volunteer Cavalry, nicknamed the "Rough Riders)

Commodore George Dewey

May 1, 1899— Commodore Dewey and his Asiatic Squadron defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay

During and after the war, George Dewey became one of the war's most celebrated heroes

William Randolph HearstNewspaper publisher

and leading example of yellow journalism

New York Journal started a public hysteria for war with Spain by publishing incendiary articles and illustrations

Hearst once said "You provide the pictures and I'll provide the war."

General Weyler “The Butcher” In 1896, the Spanish sent

"The Butcher," to Cuba To prevent the

insurrects(Filipino Nationalists) from fighting Weyler built concentration

camps in which he imprisoned a large portion of the population

Under the harsh and unsanitary conditions in the concentration camps, Cuban prisoners died

rapidly, especially from disease

Emilio AguinaldoThe Philippines'

revolutionary leader Fought first against

Spanish imperialism After the end of the

Spanish- American War, fought against American

Events-Timeline 1895: Cuban nationalists revolt against

Spanish rule 1896: Spanish General Weyler (the

"Butcher") comes to Cuba. 1897: Spain recalls Weyler Early 1898: USS Maine sent to Cuba February 9, 1898: Hearst publishes Dupuy

de Lome's letter insulting McKinley.

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Events-Timeline February 15, 1898: Sinking of the USS

Maine February 25, 1898: Assistant Secretary of

the Navy Theodore Roosevelt cables Commodore Dewey with plan: attack the Philippines if war with Spain breaks out

April 11, 1898: McKinley approves war with Spain

April 24, 1898: Spain declares war on the US

April 25, 1898: US declares war on Spain

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Events-Timeline May 1, 1898: Battle of Manila Bay

(Philippines) May, 1898: July 1, 1898: San Juan Hill

taken by "Rough Riders" July 3, 1898: Battle of Santiago - Spain's

Caribbean fleet destroyed. July 7, 1898: Hawaii annexed July 17, 1898: City of Santiago surrenders

to General William Shafter August 12, 1898: Spain signs armistice August 13, 1898: US troops capture Manila

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Events-Timeline December 10, 1898: Treaty of Paris signed -

US annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines. January 23, 1899: Philippines declares itself

an independent republic - Led by Emilio Auginaldo, the self-declared Filipino government fights a guerilla war against the US that lasts longer than the Spanish-American War itself.

February 6, 1899: the Treaty of Paris passes in the Senate

1900: Foraker Act - Some self-government allowed in Puerto Rico.

Foxborough History Department 22

Events-Timeline March 1901: Emilio Auginaldo captured. 1901: Platt Amendment-Cuban government

could not enter any foreign agreement, allows two naval bases in Cuba and U.S can intervene when necessary

1902: US withdraws from Cuba 1917: Puerto Ricans given US citizenship

Yellow JournalismIn the United States, newspaper accounts

spread exaggerated tales of Spanish atrocities.This sensationalist journalism, called “yellow

journalism,” played a pivotal role in the war.1. At the time, William Randolph Hearst's New

York American and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, were engaged in a fierce battle for circulation and they used yellow journalism to try to captivate audiences and sell more newspapers.

William Randolph Hearst believed that a war with Spain over Cuba would not only sell newspapers, but also make him a popular national figure.

PropagandaHearst launched a propaganda offensive, the

first in modern media history, which demonized Spain for its brutal suppression of the Cuban rebellion and fueled pro-war feeling.

American newspapers across the country agitated for the United States to intervene in Cuba’s struggle to gain independence from Spain.

At first President Cleveland resisted the rising public demand for intervention, but by early 1898 the pressure, then on his successor, President McKinley, was too great to be ignored.

Newspaper Headlines:22 Feb Illinois State Journal"SMALL CHILDREN SHOT DOWN AND WOMEN

TREATED AS IF THEY WERE NO BETTER THAN BRUTES"

24 Feb Illinois State Journal"SENATE DECLARED THAT ONE THIRD OF

CUBANS HAVE PERISHED UNDER SPANISH CRUELTY"

25 March Illinois State Register"CUBA MUST BE FREE"

U.S.S. MaineIn January 1898, the US decided to send in

the warship USS Maine to Havana, Cuba to protect US interests and to demonstrate an American presence in the Caribbean.

War with SpainThe sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana

harbor in 1898 caused the death of about 266 men including 22 African American sailors.

“Yellow journalism” fueled American anger and editor Hearst continued to push that the US had a perfect pretext for war.

Although President William McKinley opposed growing public demand for war, the American cry of the hour became, “Remember the Maine, To Hell with Spain!”

“A splendid little war.”Although Spain wanted to avoid war, it

refused to withdraw from Cuba and recognize the island’s independence.

By mid-April, Congress authorized McKinley to use the armed forces to expel the Spanish from Cuba.

For Americans it was, as Secretary of State John Hay put it in a letter to Theodore Roosevelt, “a splendid little war.”

Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines

American forces, quickly overcame the Spaniards in Cuba.

They then turned against Spain's last island in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, on May 1, 1898, the American captain George Dewey, with his Asiatic squadron, destroyed a small Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila in the Philippines.

Peace Negotiations:The U.S. went to war with Spain in April 1898

and the fighting was over by August of that year, when the US and Spain signed a preliminary peace treaty in Washington, D.C.

Negotiators then met in Paris in October to draw up an agreement, and the Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10th.

Treaty of Paris:As a result of the Treaty of Paris, Spain

gave up its sovereignty over Cuba (granted its independence) and gave the US ownership of the former Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Business interests in the US also demanded the acquisition of the entire Philippine archipelago in the hope that Manila would become a trading post.

McKinley forced the Spanish to “sell” the Philippines to the United States for $20,000,000.

ResultsAlthough, rebels in the Philippines and Cuba

had looked to the Americans as saviors, the U.S. victory only replaced one imperial power with another.

Months after the Spanish surrender, America was fighting its own colonial war against Filipino rebels. Intervention in Cuban affairs lasted until 1934 and left a residue of anti-Americanism.

Puerto Rico Controls: Puerto Rican institutions control internal

affairs unless U.S. law is involved, as in matters of public health and pollution.

The major differences between Puerto Rico and the 50 states are its local taxation system and exemption from Internal Revenue Code, its lack of voting representation in either house of the U.S. Congress, the ineligibility of Puerto Ricans to vote in presidential elections, and its lack of assignation of some revenues reserved for the states.

Yellow Journalism ActivityScreaming newspaper headlines about the

situation in Cuba in the 1890s helped fan the flames of war by influencing public opinion in the United StatesResearch current headlines aimed at selling

newspapers -- rather than telling honest stories --look at newsstands and in supermarket checkout lines

Research some of the headlines and stories published in the World and the Journal in the 1890s and compare these with the headlines found in modern tabloid papers How are they similar and/or different? Are any stories

more or less harmful than others?

http://www.pbs.org/crucible/frames/journalism.html

War is OverWar began April 11, 1898War was over August 12, 1898Lasted only 16 weeks300,000 Americans served5,400 lost their lives379 were in battleThe rest died from diseases

Treaty of Paris of 1898On December 10, 1898 the U.S. & Spain

agreed:1. Cuba would become independent2. Spain would give Puerto Rico & the Pacific

Island of Guam to the U.S.3. The U.S. would pay Spain $20 million for the

annexation of the Philippine Islands

China & The Open Door PolicyU.S. wanted the Philippines as a gateway to Asia,

particularly ChinaPotential market for American productsInvestment opportunities for railroad constructionChina was weakened by war and Europe & Japan had

already demanded trading rights from ChinaSphere of influence: regions in which countries had

exclusive trading rights in ChinaEach nation’s merchants or missionaries lived within its

sphere of influence where they were governened by their own laws rather than those of China

The U.S., under pressure from businessmen, wanted a “piece of the pie” & took action

China & John HayA group of New York investors had formed a

development company to promote American trade in China

America had no sphere of influence in China & could not form imperial powers out of China

John Hay proposed a plan to protect American trading rights

He sent notes (Open Door Notes) to Germany, France, Italy & Japan (they had spheres of influence in China) & asked them to allow the U.S. to have trading rights in China

China & John Hay cont…Those six nations complained among

themselves & did not want to share the trading rights they had won through political & military war

They never responded back to John HayJohn Hay took this as an acceptance of his

requestOn March 20, 1900 he announced that the

Open Door policy had become effective

The Boxers RevoltChinese opposed the spread of the

Western influence in their countryA secret society known as the “Boxers”

revolted to drive out the “foreign devils”The Boxers killed hundreds of missionaries &

other foreigners as well as those Chinese who converted to Christianity

Troops from Britain, France, Germany, & Japan joined 2,500 American soldiers to shut down the Boxer rebellion

John Hay & the 2nd Series of Open Door NotesThe 2nd series of Open Door Notes announces

that the U.S. would: safeguard for the world the principle of

equal and impartial trade with all parts of the China Empire

This policy paved the way for greater American influence in Asia & was used not only to open foreign markets but to dominate them

Open Door Policy cont…It reflected three beliefs held by U.S.

industrial capitalist:1. The growth of the U.S. economy depended

on exports2. U.S. had a right to intervene abroad to keep

foreign markets open3. They feared the closing of an area to

American products, citizens or ideas threatened U.S. survival

These beliefs are the basis of American foreign policy at the turn of the century

The Impact of U.S. Territorial GainsMost U.S. citizens supported McKinley and

his pro imperialism viewsU.S. enjoyed unprecedented economic

prosperityAmerica spread their economic &

political influences around the worldAmerica became a world power

Section 4: America as a World Power: Teddy RooseveltTeddy Roosevelt becomes President when

McKinley is assassinated He builds upon the Open Door Policy &

wants to increase American influence in other countries

Mediated the Russian – Japan war and became a peacemaker.

Negotiated the Treaty of Portsmouth (Japan gets back Manchuria & Korea from Russia)

Receives the Nobel Peace Prize because of the above

Teddy Roosevelt cont…Built up strong relations with Japan16 new battleships built under Roosevelt called the

“Great White Fleet”Started building the Panama Canal in Central

America(provided a shortcut between the Pacific & Atlantic Ocean

Roosevelt said:, “Speak softly & carry a big stick, you’ll go far” - he used for the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

Roosevelt Corollary: European powers must not intervene in Western affairs, however disorder in Latin America might force the U.S. to exercise the international policy power to protect U.S. economic interests

Woodrow Wilson: Missionary DiplomacyMissionary (moral)Diplomacy: The U.S. had a

moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government it viewed as oppressive, undemocratic or hostile to U.S. interests

This policy pressured nations in the Western Hemisphere to establish democratic governments

Mexican RevolutionMexican (General Huerta) overthrew the

Mexican governmentWilson stuck to his missionary diplomacy &

would not recognize Mexico’s new government

American businessman had monetary interests in Mexico