American Imperialism By the late 1800s the United

American Imperialism

By the late 1800’s the United States had emerged as a leader in agriculture and industry. Now that our country stretched from ocean to ocean, many American leaders felt that the United States should start stretching to new lands. They looked for new resources and materials and new markets for American goods.

Cornell Notes – write all red facts Imperialism - A policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations.

Imperialism in the Pacific/Hawaii • Once Manifest Destiny was achieved, Americans began to look for more wealth overseas • By the late 1800 s, many U. S. leaders wanted the U. S. to join the imperial powers of Europe. • U. S. pressured Hawaii to allow a U. S. base at Pearl Harbor, it was an important refueling station for ships bound for Asia • In 1893 American sugar planters in Hawaii, supported a U. S. naval gunboat they overthrew the Hawaiian Government.

Illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom • The Hawaiian Islands had been inhabited since the eighth century. By the late 1800’s many Americans lived in Hawaii. • In 1887 King Kalakaua tried to keep Americans from taking over his islands, but failed. • The many Americans who lived there forced the King to sign a new constitution that left the Hawaiian monarchy with no power.

America Acquires Alaska • William Seward arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 (officially annexed in 1884) • U. S. bought Alaska for $7. 2 million or two cents an acre! • Alaska was rich in timber, minerals, and oil

Cuba • Cuba is an island in the Caribbean about 90 miles south of Florida • Spain controlled Cuba for almost 400 years • The U. S. had financial interests in Cuba and tried to buy it at one time • Cubans rebelled against the Spanish to try to win their freedom in a series of wars

U. S. S. Maine • The U. S. S. Maine was blown up in Havana, Cuba Feb. 15 th, 1898 • 266 men killed in explosion and USA is outraged by “Yellow Journalism” calling for revenge • Cause of the explosion can’t be proved – America blames Spain • Congress and Pres. Mc. Kinley move to U. S. declare war against Spain

Spanish American War • U. S. forces land in Cuba in June 1898 • Teddy Roosevelt leads an allvolunteer group of soldiers called “Roughriders” in Cuba • T. R. and Roughriders lead an assault on San Juan Hill- bloody fighting ensues • U. S. forces with help from Cuban rebels win victory in war in less than 4 months

The Spanish American War Thousands of Americans volunteered to fight in the war against Spain. Our Army quickly grew from 30, 000 soldiers to more than 274, 000. Theodore Roosevelt was one of the war volunteers and he led a company of cowhands and college athletes who called themselves the rough riders.

Other Theaters in War • American naval forces dominate the Spanish in the Philippines • Spanish surrender to American Army forces at Manila • Navy warships bomb Puerto Rico • American Army storms island easily takes control Puerto Rico The Treaty of Paris ended the war on Dec. 10, 1889

Aftermath of the Spanish. American War • Terms of the peace treaty included the U. S. acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines for $20 million • Cuba began the process of gaining its independence from Spain • Tens of thousands of Cubans/Spanish dead; perhaps 250, 000 Filipinos die • America now a world power – marks the end of Spain’s empire

Opium Wars-China • • 1 st Opium War 1839 -1842 (England) • The Opium Wars arose from China’s attempts to suppress the opium trade 2 nd Opium war 1856 -1860 (England & France)

Boxer Rebellion • In the early 1900’s, China was seen as a country with vast potential for U. S. markets. • At the same time, many European Countries were also trading with China.

What was the Rebellion? • By 1900, many Chinese opposed the spread of Western influence in their country. • A secret society, known as the Boxers, formed a revolt to drive out the “foreign devils. ” • The Boxers killed missionaries (they opposed Christianity) and other foreigners.

• In August 1900, troops from 8 nations (Britain, France, Germany, Japan, United States, etc. • were sent to China to put down the Boxer rebellion. • 230 foreigners and thousands of Chinese Christians and rebels were killed during the fighting.

The Aftermath • After the defeat of the Boxers, U. S. Secretary of State John Hay took steps to prevent the Imperial powers from dividing up China. • Hay’s “Open Door Notes” said that all participating powers would have equal access to China’s market. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=e 3 XAYIr 0478

U. S. Beliefs/Ideals. The Open Door Policy-(no single country should have a monopoly on trade with China) reflected three deeply held American beliefs: 1. Americans believed that the growth of the U. S. economy depended on exports/goods. 2. The U. S. had right to intervene (military) abroad to keep foreign markets open. 3. The fear that the closing of an area to American products, citizens, or ideas threatened U. S. survival.