US Involvement Overseas

Evaluate Imperialism overseas with a focus on the Panama Canal and

China’s Open Door Policy

A Power in the Pacific

• After annexing the Philippine Islands, American Imperialism supporters looked forward to increasing their profits and spreading democracy throughout Asia

United States in China

• 1900 – Japan and other major European powers had expanded their spheres of influence in China

• US did not want to be shut out of China’s vast economic opportunities

• US asked for (and eventually got) an Open Door Policy put into place

Sphere of Influence

• Areas where foreign nations claimed special rights and economic privileges

• France, Germany, Britain, Japan, and Russia established prosperous settlements along the coast of China

Open Door Policy

• US wanted access to China’s market• 1899 – US Secretary of State John Hay

proposed that no single country should have a monopoly on trade with China. Other countries agreed.

Boxer Rebellion

• One group, known as ‘Boxers’, were angered by the privileges given to foreigners and the disrespect they showed toward Chinese traditions

• Led to violent uprising known as the Boxer Rebellion

• Many foreigners killed before uprising was put down by an international force.

Panama Canal

• Roosevelt saw need to connect Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as US interests in the Pacific increased

• Columbia controlled land needed to build this shortcut; would not allow US access to the land

• Roosevelt supported revolution that resulted in creation of the country of Panama which gave permission for the canal

Building the Canal

• US builds and operates the canal• Swampy conditions made building the canal

difficult• Took 10 years (1904 – 1914)• Over 5000 workers died from disease or

accidents during the construction• Paid $10 million to Panama and $250,000 per

year for usage

http://www.historyillustrated.com/ai/

US Involvement in Latin America

• US businesses begin to realize that there were great profits to be made in buying inexpensive food and raw materials from Latin American countries

• US companies bought large tracts of land for mining and farming

• Economic interests grow = political interest grow

Policing the Hemisphere

• President Roosevelt makes it clear to the world that the US would forever use military force against any country that threatened our interests.

• Reminded European powers of the Monroe Doctrine – policy preventing other nations from intervening in Latin America

Roosevelt Corollary

• 1904 – Roosevelt Corollary added to doctrine• Allowed US to “police” Latin America –

meaning US leaders would intervene in Latin America’s domestic affairs when believed it was necessary to maintain stability

• Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson used policy to intervene in Latin America to secure American economic interests

Cue Questions

• What is the point of having the Panama Canal?

• What were the spheres of influence? Which countries were considered spheres of influence?

• Why did the US seek and Open Door Policy in China?

• How did the Roosevelt Corollary affect Latin America?