Imperialism and America

Beginning in 1867 and continuing through the century, global competition causesthe United States to expand.American ExpansionismGlobal Competition � Imperialism—policy of extending control over weaker nations In 1800s, Europeans divide up most of Africa, compete for China� Japan joins race for China; U.S. decides to expand overseas�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�Thirst for New Markets U.S. farms, factories produce more than Americans can consume� U.S. needs raw materials, new markets for goods� Foreign trade: solution to overproduction, unemployment, depression�Belief in Cultural Superiority Some combine Social Darwinism, belief in superiority of Anglo-Saxons� Argue U.S. has duty to Christianize, civilize “inferior peoples”�

2. Military/Strategic 2. Military/Strategic InterestsInterests

2. Military/Strategic 2. Military/Strategic InterestsInterests

Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783

Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power on History: 1660-1783

3. Social Darwinist Thinking3. Social Darwinist Thinking3. Social Darwinist Thinking3. Social Darwinist Thinking

The White Man’sBurden

The White Man’sBurdenThe Hierarchy

of RaceThe Hierarchy

of Race

Take up the White Man's burden--Send forth the best ye breed--Go bind your sons to exileTo serve your captives' need;To wait in heavy harness,On fluttered folk and wild--Your new-caught, sullen peoples,Half-devil and half-child. Rudyard Kipling

"The White Man's Burden," 1899 

4. Religious/Missionary 4. Religious/Missionary InterestsInterests

4. Religious/Missionary 4. Religious/Missionary InterestsInterests

American Missionaries

in China, 1905

American Missionaries

in China, 1905

““Seward’s Folly”: 1867Seward’s Folly”: 1867““Seward’s Folly”: 1867Seward’s Folly”: 1867

$7.2 million$7.2 million

““Seward’s Icebox”: 1867Seward’s Icebox”: 1867““Seward’s Icebox”: 1867Seward’s Icebox”: 1867

Hawaiian Queen LiliuokalaniHawaiian Queen LiliuokalaniHawaiian Queen LiliuokalaniHawaiian Queen Liliuokalani

Hawaii for the Hawaiians!

Hawaii for the Hawaiians!

To The Victor Belongs the To The Victor Belongs the SpoilsSpoils

To The Victor Belongs the To The Victor Belongs the SpoilsSpoils

Hawaiian Annexation Ceremony, 1898

Hawaiian Annexation Ceremony, 1898

Spanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in Cuba

Setting the Stage

 •  Cuban Wars for

Independence.  Cuba begins its bid for independence in 1868.

 • Significant U.S.

Presence.  Many U.S. businessmen had interests in Cuba.

 • Negative Views of

Spain.  Many Cuban exiles (José Martí, etc.) encouraged this view.

““Yellow Journalism” & Yellow Journalism” & JingoismJingoism

““Yellow Journalism” & Yellow Journalism” & JingoismJingoism

Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer

William Randolph Hearst

William Randolph Hearst

Hearst to Frederick Hearst to Frederick Remington:Remington: You furnish the You furnish the pictures,pictures, and I’ll furnish the war! and I’ll furnish the war!

De Lôme LetterDe Lôme LetterDe Lôme LetterDe Lôme Letter

Dupuy de Lôme, Dupuy de Lôme, SpanishSpanishAmbassador to the Ambassador to the U.S.U.S.

Criticized PresidentCriticized PresidentMcKinley as McKinley as weak and weak and aabidder for the bidder for the admirationadmirationof the crowd, besidesof the crowd, besidesbeing a would-be being a would-be politicianpoliticianwho tries to leave a who tries to leave a doordooropen behind himself open behind himself whilewhilekeeping on good termskeeping on good termswith the jingoes of hiswith the jingoes of hisparty.party.

Theodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt

Assistant Assistant Secretary of the Secretary of the Navy in the Navy in the McKinley McKinley administration.administration.

Imperialist and Imperialist and American American nationalist.nationalist.

Criticized Criticized PresidentPresidentMcKinley as McKinley as having the having the backbone of a backbone of a chocolate éclair!chocolate éclair!

Resigns his Resigns his position to fight in position to fight in Cuba.Cuba.

The The “Rough “Rough Riders”Riders”

The The “Rough “Rough Riders”Riders”

Treaty of Paris

Spain, U.S. sign armistice August 1898; meet in Paris to make treaty

• • Spain frees Cuba; hands Guam, Puerto Rico to U.S.; sells Philippines

• Debate over the Treaty• • Treaty of Paris touches off great debate over

imperialism• • McKinley tries to justify annexation of

Philippines on moral grounds• • Opponents give political, moral, economic

arguments against

The Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War (1898):(1898):

“That Splendid Little War”“That Splendid Little War”

The Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War (1898):(1898):

“That Splendid Little War”“That Splendid Little War”

Emilio AguinaldoEmilio AguinaldoEmilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo

LLeader of the Filipinoeader of the FilipinoUprising.Uprising.

July 4, 1946:July 4, 1946:Philippine Philippine independenceindependence

The American Anti-The American Anti-Imperialist Imperialist

League League

The American Anti-The American Anti-Imperialist Imperialist

League LeagueFounded in 1899.Founded in 1899.

Mark Twain, Mark Twain, Andrew Andrew Carnegie, WilliamCarnegie, WilliamJames, and WilliamJames, and WilliamJennings Bryan Jennings Bryan amongamongthe leaders.the leaders.

Campaigned Campaigned against the against the annexation of theannexation of thePhilippines and Philippines and otherotheracts of imperialism.acts of imperialism.

"Now, children, you've got to learn these lessons whether you want to or not!  But just take a look at the class ahead of you, and remember that in a

little while, you will be as glad to be here as they are!"

Stereotypes of the Stereotypes of the Chinese Chinese

ImmigrantImmigrant

Stereotypes of the Stereotypes of the Chinese Chinese

ImmigrantImmigrant

Oriental [Chinese]

Exclusion Act, 1887

Oriental [Chinese]

Exclusion Act, 1887

The Boxer Rebellion: The Boxer Rebellion: 19001900

The Boxer Rebellion: The Boxer Rebellion: 19001900

The Peaceful Harmonious The Peaceful Harmonious Fists.Fists.

““55 Days at Peking.”55 Days at Peking.”

The Open Door PolicyThe Open Door PolicyThe Open Door PolicyThe Open Door Policy

Secretary Secretary John HayJohn Hay..

Give all nations equalGive all nations equalaccess to trade in China.access to trade in China.

Guaranteed that China would NOT be Guaranteed that China would NOT be taken taken over by any one foreign power.over by any one foreign power.

Panama CanalPanama CanalPanama CanalPanama Canal

TR in Panama(Construction

begins in 1904)

TR in Panama(Construction

begins in 1904)

Speak Softly,Speak Softly,But Carry a Big Stick!But Carry a Big Stick!

Speak Softly,Speak Softly,But Carry a Big Stick!But Carry a Big Stick!

Taft’s “Dollar Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”Diplomacy”

Taft’s “Dollar Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”Diplomacy”

Improve financialImprove financialopportunities for opportunities for American businesses.American businesses.

Use private capital toUse private capital tofurther U. S. interestsfurther U. S. interestsoverseas.overseas.

Therefore, the U.S. Therefore, the U.S. should create should create stability and order stability and order abroad that would abroad that would best promote best promote America’s America’s commercial interests.commercial interests.

The Mexican Revolution: The Mexican Revolution: 1910s1910s

The Mexican Revolution: The Mexican Revolution: 1910s1910s

Victoriano Huerta seizes control of Victoriano Huerta seizes control of Mexico Mexico and puts Madero in prison where he and puts Madero in prison where he was was murdered.murdered.

Venustiano Carranza, Pancho Villa, Venustiano Carranza, Pancho Villa, Emiliano Emiliano Zapata, and Alvaro Obregon fought Zapata, and Alvaro Obregon fought against Huerta.against Huerta.

The U.S. also got involved by The U.S. also got involved by occupying occupying Veracruz and Huerta fled the Veracruz and Huerta fled the country.country.

Eventually Carranza would gain Eventually Carranza would gain power in power in Mexico.Mexico.

Wilson’s “Moral Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”Diplomacy”

Wilson’s “Moral Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”Diplomacy”

The U. S. shouldThe U. S. shouldbe the consciencebe the conscienceof the world.of the world.

Spread Spread democracy.democracy.

Promote peace.Promote peace.

Condemn Condemn colonialism.colonialism.

U. S. Global Investments &U. S. Global Investments &Investments in Latin America, Investments in Latin America,

19141914

U. S. Global Investments &U. S. Global Investments &Investments in Latin America, Investments in Latin America,

19141914

U. S. Interventions in U. S. Interventions in Latin America: 1898-1920sLatin America: 1898-1920s

U. S. Interventions in U. S. Interventions in Latin America: 1898-1920sLatin America: 1898-1920s

Uncle Sam: One of the Uncle Sam: One of the “Boys?”“Boys?”

Uncle Sam: One of the Uncle Sam: One of the “Boys?”“Boys?”