Becoming a World Power 1890 1915 Section 1

Becoming a World Power: 1890 -1915

Section 1: The Pressure to Expand n An industrial powerhouse with a booming population, America turned its focus on becoming a world power at the turn of the century.

Imperialism- stronger nations dominate and control weaker ones in attempt to create an empire. n Historical examples: Roman Empire, Mongolian Empire, Ottoman Empire, British Empire. n

British Empire n “The sun never sets on the British Empire. ” Territories that have been, or remain, part of the British Empire.

Why Imperialism Grew n Imperialistic activity increased in the late 1800 s for several reasons… – Economic factors: need for resources – Nationalistic factors: feelings of national superiority – Military factors: Navies needed bases for fuel and supplies. – Humanitarian factors: Western civilizations often thought it their duty to spread their culture, law, and religion to other countries.

George Washington’s Advice In his farewell address in 1796, George Washington warned Americans to avoid foreign conflicts and “entanglements” and to “steer clear of permanent alliances” n These values molded early America, and for the next 100 years. n

Monroe Doctrine Beginning in the 1820 s, America embraced the anti-imperialist “Monroe Doctrine” named after a policy of president James Monroe. n The Monroe Doctrine declared the US neutral in all European wars and warned European powers not to interfere with North or South America. n

Monroe Doctrine Sign reads, “all guests are welcome, but they must not bring their guns”

Manifest Destiny The US showed early glimpses of its own imperialism. n Manifest Destiny: it was the destiny of the U. S. to control Atlantic to Pacific Oceans n

Arguments for U. S. Expansion n By the 1890 s, many Americans argued for increased involvement in international affairs, despite the US’s history of isolationism.

Economic Growth Rapid industrial growth created an overproduction of food and goods. n Businesses and workers argued that the US needed to secure new markets abroad to sell goods. n

Banana Republics In some cases, American businesses were already invested in other countries. n United Fruit Company provided financial services to the Costa Rican government in exchange for long-term leases on land. n By 1913, United Fruit Company was exporting 50 million banana bunches to the US per year and played a significant role in the governments and economies of several Central American economies, which came to be known as “banana republics”. n

Protecting American Security In the 1880 s, the US Navy was far inferior to that of European powers. n Many argued for a larger, more modern navy. n A powerful navy not only allowed for the possibility of imperialism, but also created a new need for naval bases around the world. n

New Frontiers Some believed that America needed a new frontier since they had already expanded the whole way to the Pacific Ocean. n The challenge of a new frontier, they argued, created energy and passion on which the country thrived. n Still others cited social Darwinism to justify taking over new territories; survival of the fittest. n

Expansion n Over time, these various arguments gained traction throughout the country and within government and the United States began to move toward foreign involvement and expansionism.

Arguments for Imperialism

Section 2: Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War was America’s first major step towards imperialism and changed its role in world affairs forever. n A war created, sustained, and shaped by journalists. n

Spanish-American War “I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one. ” –Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt Teddy Roosevelt thought that America needed a new challenge, an adventure for young men and a unifying cause for the nation to rally behind.

The Cuban Rebellion n n Cuba was a colony of Spain. Cubans rebelled in 1895. Spain sent 150, 000 troops to put down the rebellion. “Reconcentration” camps. General “Butcher” Weyler Spanish General Valeriano Weyler

Cuba n n In the prison camps over 200, 000 Cubans died over 2 years due to disease and starvation. Cuban exiles living in US, led by Jose Marti, urged US to intervene. US government refused to help. Cuban guerrillas began destroying American sugar plantations in Cuba to pressure US government to help.

Yellow Journalism fueled support for the war. – Joseph Pulitzer: New York World – William Randolph Hearst: New York Morning Journal n Featured articles that exaggerated horrific acts that Spanish soldiers performed against Cubans. n

Hearst to photographer: “you provide the pictures, I’ll furnish the war”

The de Lome letter US newspapers published a letter intercepted from Dupuy de Lome, a Spanish ambassador to Washington. n Letter called President Mc. Kinley weak, angering Americans. n

Philippines The Philippines were also under Spanish possession at the time. n The Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, felt that Philippines would be a key naval base in the Pacific. n Teddy Roosevelt secretly messaged naval commanders in the Pacific to prepare for war with Spain. n

Explosion of U. S. S. Maine Weeks after the letter, on February 15, 1898, the U. S. S. Maine, a US warship sank off the coast of Cuba. n The explosion/sinking was likely caused by an accidental fire/faulty boiler n Newspapers and the American public immediately blamed Spain for the explosion. n Enraged, the US public called for war. n

U. S. S. Maine

War n In attempt to avoid war, President Mc. Kinley sent a list of demands to Spain. – Compensation for the U. S. S. Maine – A truce in Cuba – Cuban independence n Spain, also hoping to avoid war, agreed to all but Cuban independence. n On April 11, Congress recognized Cuban independence and declared war on Spain.

Action in Philippines n The first fighting took place in the Philippines, not in Cuba. n On May 1, US forces launched a surprise attack on Spanish ships. n Destroyed Spain’s entire Pacific fleet in seven hours.

Battle of San Juan Hill n n n Bloodiest and most famous battle of the war Took place in Cuba Most of the heavy fighting was done by Buffalo Soldiers (African American troops), although Roosevelt and his Rough Riders got most of the credit

Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders (Volunteers) Teddy and the volunteer “Rough Riders” became war heroes. n Became the celebrities of the war, even though they experienced little battle action n Very little of their equipment/horses made it to Cuba n

M/C 2 -1 B

“A Splendid Little War” The Spanish fleet tried to escape on July 3, but the US Navy sank every Spanish ship, ending the war and setting off wild celebrations throughout the US. n The war lasted only 2 months. n 2, 500 Americans died, but only 400 in battle. Most died of disease or food poisoning. n Secretary of State John Hay called it “a splendid little war” n

The Treaty of Paris Spain recognized Cuba’s independence and gave the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the US for $20 million. n These islands became “unincorporated” territories of the US. n The annexation of the new territories barely passed the twothirds vote in the senate. n

Puerto Rico United States had brief military government before pulling out. n Puerto Rico remains a US territory today. n

Dilemma in Philippines n n Filipino rebels had fought alongside American troops against Spain with the expectation that US victory would give them their independence. Instead, after the war the US annexed the island. Filipino rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippines an independent republic in January 1899. America ignored him.

War in Philippines War between the US and the Philippines broke out and lasted for three years. n 4, 000 Americans were killed. n Americans killed 16, 000 Filipino rebels and 200, 000 Filipino civilians. n The Philippines did not gain independence until 1946. n

Cuba’s Fate n Congress attached an amendment, called the Teller Amendment, to the resolution of Cuban independence, promising not to annex Cuba. n US involvement didn’t end after the war, however. n Set up a military government in Cuba.

Cuba Feeling betrayed, that the US had simply replaced Spain, Cubans began to draft a constitution that did not allow American involvement. n US agreed to withdraw troops only if Cubans included the Platt Amendment in their constitution. n Platt Amendment required Cuba to allow US to have naval bases (Guantanamo Bay) on the island to intervene in the country when necessary. n

Annexation of Hawaii The leader of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani, strongly opposed U. S. control of the islands. n In 1893, pineapple planter Sanford B. Dole and the United States Marines removed Liluokalani from power. Dole took over as President of the Provisional Government of Hawaii until 1898 when it was annexed. Dole then became the territorial goverenor n In 1898, Congress approved the annexation of Hawaii. n

Section 3: A New Foreign Policy n Given all of America’s international activity in the late 1890 s, the U. S. entered the 20 th century as a genuine world power and with a new, interventionist foreign policy.

Monroe Doctrine Beginning in the 1820 s, America embraced the anti-imperialist “Monroe Doctrine” named after a policy of president James Monroe. n The Monroe Doctrine declared the US neutral in all European wars and warned European powers not to interfere with North or South America. n

The Panama Canal Americans desired a shorter route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. n A canal across Central America would cut distance. n Panama was an ideal location for the canal. n At the time, Panama was a province of Colombia. n

Panama’s Independence n n Columbia refused to negotiate with the U. S. Now President, Teddy Roosevelt, encouraged Panama to revolt for their independence. The revolt took place in 1903 with U. S. warships waiting offshore to support the rebels. America immediately recognized Panama as an independent country and in return Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, giving the U. S. a permanent land grant to build their canal.

Panama Canal Construction of the canal began in 1904 and lasted until 1914. n The canal was a huge undertaking and operated with a system of locks and channels. n

Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy • Roosevelt said his foreign policy was… • “speak softly and carry a big stick. ” n 26 th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 • Roosevelt believed that if the U. S. displayed military and economic power, the rest of the world would obey without resistance or conflict.

Roosevelt Corollary Roosevelt issued messages to Congress that became known as the Roosevelt Corollary, an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. n Roosevelt denied that the U. S. was interested in acquiring new territories, but that they would intervene to “stabilize” political and economic affairs in South and Central America. n This signified a very formal shift from American isolationism to interventionism. n

Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt Under Roosevelt, U. S. intervention in Latin America became common. n This angered many Latin Americans as well Congress, who felt Roosevelt’s independent foreign policies strengthened his powers while undermining the authority of Congress. n

Great White Fleet In 1907, Roosevelt sent the part of the U. S. Navy on a cruise around the world. n The trip was meant to be an impressive display of the world’s most powerful navy ships. n The ships made big impressions all around the world and became known as the Great White Fleet. n

Taft: “Dollar Diplomacy” 27 th President of the United States from 1909– 1913 , William Howard Taft was not as aggressive as Roosevelt in his foreign policy. n Promoted economic control over military control. n Wanted to “substitute dollars for bullets”. n – “Dollar Diplomacy”

Woodrow Wilson: “moral diplomacy” n n n The next president was Woodrow Wilson. 28 th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921 Amidst a bloody Mexican revolution, many encouraged Wilson only to protect U. S. investments. Wilson believed Mexican revolutionary, Victoriano Huerta, to be a tyrannical “butcher”. U. S. must intervene to stop Huerta on moral grounds. Became known as Wilson’s “moral diplomacy”.

Anti-Imperialists In 1898, opponents of U. S. policy in the Philippines established the Anti. Imperialist League. n Many of the organizers were well-known leaders of society. n Politician William Jennings Bryan, settlement house leader Jane Addams, and novelist Mark Twain were several. n

Sec. 4: Debating America’s New Role n While United States’ new, imperial role in the world excited many Americans, others were strongly opposed to the new level of international involvement.

Moral and Political Arguments n Imperialism, they argued, was a rejection of the nation’s foundation of “liberty for all. ” “We regret that it has become necessary in the land of Washington and Lincoln to reaffirm that all men, of whatever race or color, are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ” –Carl Schurz (Republican senator)

Political Arguments Opponents also pointed out that “the Constitution must follow the flag”. n Annexed territories should be entitled to the same rights as other U. S. citizens. n Samuel Gompers, famous labor union organizer, pointed out that most of Hawaiians worked for much less than American laws required. n

Racial Arguments n People saw racism as a cause, or justification, of imperialism. “Had the Filipinos been white and fought as bravely as they have, the war would have been ended and their independence granted a long time ago. ” –Bishop Alexander Walters (African American)

Imperialism’s Appeal n n n Despite opposing arguments, imperialism maintained a powerful momentum in the American public. In 1890, the American frontier had officially been declared “closed”. Imperialism seemed to offer a new frontier for the country.

Imperialism Viewed from Abroad Many annexed territories became resentful of the America. n In Latin America, the cry “Yankee, Go Home!” became popular. n Other nations began to recognize America’s new power, and began turning to them for help. n