Ruling the Empire & Expansion in Latin

America

Samoset Middle School

8th Grade Social Studies

Filipinos RebelFilipinos Rebel

Filipinos expected independence after Spanish American War

Americans takeover their government and Filipinos revolt

Nearly 10 times more American soldiers die in this conflict than in Spanish American War

Finally given independence in 1946

Were the Filipinos justified in rebelling?

Why might the Americans wait to give them independence?

Can you think of any similar situations today?

Ruling the EmpireRuling the EmpireCountry Status Notes

Hawaii Annexed by U.S. in 1898

Became 50th state in 1959

Cuba Independent but had to accept Platt Amendment

Platt Amendment – gave U.S. a naval base & right to intervene in Cuba

Puerto Rico U.S. set up new gov’t in 1900 under Foraker Act.

Today, called a Commonwealth

Foraker Act – gave some self-governing;Residents are U.S. citizensNo votes in Congress and cannot vote for President

Self-govern internal affairs but U.S. governs foreign affairs

Philippines U.S. set up new gov’t in 1902

Granted independence in 1946

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Wanting a CanalWanting a Canal From NY to San Francisco by water is 14,000 miles.

Why so far? Panama Canal cuts the trip to 6,000 miles!

President Theodore Roosevelt wants to build a canal through Isthmus of Panama

Isthmus is narrow strip of land connecting 2 larger bodies of land

Why do we want a canal? Trade (Economic) & Navy (Political)

When Colombia refuses, U.S. helps Panama break away from Colombia

Building the CanalBuilding the Canal

Panama Canal Operations Video

Before work begins, U.S. wipes out yellow fever threat

40,000 workers spend almost 8 years to build

Canal opens in 1914

How does the canal work?

Theodore Roosevelt’s Foreign Theodore Roosevelt’s Foreign PolicyPolicy

“Big Stick” Policy - speak softly and carry a big stick What does this mean?

The Roosevelt Corollary - The U.S. has the right to interfere in Latin America to preserve law & order => International Police Power

Corollary – means addition. What is this an addition to? The Monroe Doctrine – Europe stay out of Western Hemisphere

& Western Hemisphere stay out of Europe

Other President’s Foreign PolicyOther President’s Foreign Policy

Dollar Diplomacy – President William Taft urged businesses to invest in Latin America => “substitute dollars for bullets”

Moral Diplomacy – President Woodrow Wilson condemned imperialism and wanted to spread democracy and promote peace.

Did Wilson always practice this?

U.S. and MexicoU.S. and Mexico

1910 – Civil War breaks out in Mexico. Dictator comes to power and eventually U.S.

sells weapons to his opponent. U.S. forces dictator to flee but his supporters

led by Pancho Villa attack Americans living in Mexico.

U.S. sends thousands of soldiers into Mexico to capture Villa.

Mexico opposes actions by U.S. and both countries on brink of war until U.S. finally withdraws.