America Turns Aggressive U S Foreign Policy 1898

America Turns Aggressive U. S. Foreign Policy 1898 -1916

American Imperialism Secretary of the Navy - Alfred T. Mahan The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890) Argued that a strong navy is essential to becoming a world power (Great White Fleet) Caribbean and Pacific Islands needed for naval bases & coaling stations

• American Imperialism U. S. had begun to produce more goods than Americans could consume • Expansionists wanted foreign markets and new sources of raw materials

Spanish-American War • Americans see parallels between their own revolution against England the Cuban effort to rid itself of Spanish colonial control

Artist: Sondra Cook (LMSA Class of 2016)

EXAMPLE HEADLINES! Exaggerated stories Maine is Blown Up in for the purpose of Havana Harbor selling Destruction of the War newspapers Two competing papers: Ship Maine the. York Work of -Hearst’s New an Enemy! Tribune -Pulitzer’s New–York Crisis at Hand World Spanish Treachery! Yellow Journalism

U. S. S. Maine Sent to Protect American Investments in Cuba Havana

Why did the US declare war on Spain? • Divide paper into 3 sections: Social, Political, Economic • Classify each of the 9 documents into one of the 3 categories and write a brief explanation of why you placed it there • A document may go into multiple categories, but must have a unique explanation • After categorizing & analyzing each document, write a strong thesis with qualifier

Warm Up • One volunteer to put their thesis on the board. • 7 volunteers (one/document) • Place your evidence in each category and be prepared to explain how you categorized it • Those who did not volunteer must still be prepared to justify agreements/disagreements with the categorization

What was the real motive for war? • You must make a choice- social, political, or economic motives • You will have 10 minutes to prepare • Organize evidence & compile a list of questions to challenge your opponents • Debate/Discussion rules: 30 minutes • Take turns: every other team must speak • 2 before me • No more than 2 minutes each turn • Every statement must use evidence from the documents or class notes

Teddy Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy • Called “Big Stick Policy” • Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904)

Panama Canal (1904) ü Necessary for defense and trade ü Tried to buy land for the canal (unsuccessful) ü Panamanian Revolution

Taft’s Foreign Policy • Dollar Diplomacy • Emphasized American investments & loans • Goal: create stability abroad using American $$$ • To promote American commercial interests

Wilson’s Foreign Policy Ø Attempted to go back to American isolationism ØRe-election slogan: ‘He kept us out of war! Ø In 1914, world enters Great War— but US doesn’t join until 1917…why?

• Homework for Wednesday 5/14 (Colloquium is Friday): – Read/analyze each document (5) – Write an answer (5 -6 sentences) to this question using each document: – Why did the United States ultimately decide to enter WWI?