US Imperialism WWI Unit 4 What is Imperialism

US Imperialism & WWI Unit 4

What is Imperialism? • Imperialism: – Attempt by stronger nations to create empires by dominating weaker nations – economically, politically, culturally, or militarily.

Motives for Expansion 1. Economic: – Industry requires resources (rubber, petroleum, etc) – Need someone to sell your goods to • New markets

Motives for Expansion 2. Military Factors – Improvement in European military technology – Navies acquiring bases around the world for supplies Maxim Gun

Motives for Expansion 3. Nationalism – Your nations people, ideals, and goals are superior to others – If your neighbor acquires new land, you should too.

Motives for Expansion 4. Humanitarian – Spread of religion (primarily Christianity) – Spread of “western cultural blessings” • White Man’s Burden

Hawaii • American sugar merchants gained influence from 1870 s 1890 s – Pearl Harbor naval base established in 1887 • American businessmen led overthrew of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 – Established Sanford B. Dole as president • Hawaii annexed in 1898

The Spanish American War, 1898 • U. S. first attacked Spain in the Philippines – Quickly defeated Spanish fleet • Military victory in Cuba was swift – Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders” (San Juan Hill) – Black soldiers comprised much of the army • War ended on August 12, 1898

“A Splendid Little War” • U. S. acquired Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. • Acquisition of the Philippines was heavily debated in Congress – Anti-Imperialist League • W. J. Bryan, Andrew Carnegie, Booker T. Washington, and Mark Twain were among those who opposed imperialism – Treaty was narrowly approved in Feb. 1899

Cuba • U. S. withdrawal was contingent on the Platt Amendment: 1. Restricted Cuba’s autonomy in foreign relations 2. Lease of naval bases to the U. S. 3. Authorized U. S. intervention to maintain order and preserve Cuban independence

The Filipino-American War • Filipino nationalists had fought against Spain, welcomed American victory – Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence, U. S. refused • U. S. military used harsh tactics to suppress resistance – concentration camps, mass killings

The Roosevelt Corollary • Roosevelt stated that the U. S. had the right to exercise “an international police power” to protect its interests in Latin America – “Big Stick Diplomacy” • Latin American countries resented American intervention

Wilson and Latin America • Wilson vowed to abandon imperialism, but didn’t – American military took control in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba • Wilson interfered with the revolutions taking place in Mexico – Pancho Villa led raids on U. S. in 1916, General John J. Pershing sent to pursue

Causes of WWI • Imperialism: – Western scramble for colonies (Africa, Asia, and the Pacific) – Great Britain and France have the most land – resources – Germany wants more power take land from other colonizers

Causes of WWI • Militarism: – Policy involving building a nation’s armed forces in preparation for war. – Military has more control over government & foreign policy • Key European players: – Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Russia

Causes of WWI • Nationalism: – Your countries interests over the interests of others • Ethnic minorities – Want independence – Big countries protect ethnic minorities in other countries (Russia & Serbs)

Causes of WWI • Alliances: – Bolster each countries security • “Blank Check” – Germany Austria-Hungary – Russia France – Great Britain France

Assassination • June 28, 1914 – Archduke Francis Ferdinand (Austria. Hungarian Empire) visits troops in Sarajevo, the capital Bosnia. – Gavrilo Princip • 19 year old Bosnian Serb • Member of terrorist group “Black Hand”

Mobilization • July 23, 1914 – Austria-Hungary demands Serbia stop supporting terrorism in Bosnia. • Two day warning. • July 28, 1914 –war declared by Austria-Hungary

Mobilization • August 1, 1914 – Germany declares war on Russia • Schlieffen Plan (Germany) – Eliminate France quickly, then turn on Russia – Belgium ruins plan

Key Players • Central Powers: Germany, and Austria-Hungary, Turkey • Allies: Great Britain, France, Russia, Serbia • Stalemate: neither side can gain an advantage. – “Trench warfare”

The Fighting Starts • After Germany’s invasion of Belgium, Germany and the allies became entrenched along the “Western Front” – created trenches – “no man’s land” • Trench warfare led to enormous casualty rates – Little ground ever gained by either side

German Submarine Warfare • German U-boat – Submarine – Germany began allowing submarines to fire on British merchant ships without warning. – Bad public image • Sussex Pledge – Sinking of the Lusitania (May 7, 1915) – German promise to US to warn ships before attacking,

Zimmerman Note • July 31, 1917 – Germany nullifies Sussex Pledge – End of diplomatic relationships between Germany and US – Still no war… • Zimmerman Note: – Germany’s foreign secretary – If Mexico helps Germany, they will get Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back. – Still no war…

The War Resolution • March 16 -18, 1917 – Germany sinks four US ships – Wilson brings the war resolution to Congress • passed by the Senate and the House, signed by Wilson April 6, 1917 – Is this a “just war”? • Analysis: – Wilson’s Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War against Germany (1917)

Where we left off: The U. S. Enters the War • Wilson was reelected in 1916 – “He Kept Us Out of War” – Wilson hoped to mediate conflict • U. S. intercepted the “Zimmerman note” – Germany attempted to lure Mexico into the conflict • Revolution in Russia overthrew the czar • Wilson submitted war message to Congress on April 2, 1917

Raising, Training, and Testing an Army • Congress passed the Selective Service Act establishing a draft – limited training, segregated divisions • American Expeditionary Force was commanded by John J. Pershing – 4. 3 million Americans served (115, 000 died) – African Americans served at high rates

Fighting “Over There” • New weapons changed nature of war – German “Big Bertha” cannon, zeppelins, machine guns, poison gas, tanks, airplanes • Medical technology did not keep pace with weaponry – “trench foot”, diseases, “shell shock”

Organizing the Economy for War • War Industries Board was created to set industrial priorities and supervise business to boost efficiency • Food Administration controlled production and distribution for the U. S. and Allies • National War Labor Board supervised labor relations – guaranteed right of unions to organize, improved work conditions

Women and Minorities • Many job opportunities opened up for women and African Americans – “heavy industry” • Jobs in industry played a major role in the “Great Migration” of African Americans to northern cities

Advertising the War • The government worked to promote a “war spirit” through propaganda • Committee on Public Information – promoted national unity – encouraged Americans to purchase “Liberty Bonds” – depicted Germans as brutal, subhuman

The Collapse of Germany • Mutiny spread among German soldiers and workers • People of Berlin rose in rebellion in November 1918 – Kaiser abdicated throne, fled to the Netherlands • Germany surrendered on November 11 • War’s toll was staggering – 26 million soldier and civilian deaths, 20 million wounded, 10 million refugees – $350 billion direct economic cost

Wilson’s Fourteen Points • Wilson hoped that the ending of the war would bring about a more democratic world system – create new nations, shift borders, ensure selfdetermination – League of Nations • Wilson agreed to travel to Paris for peace negotiations

The Versailles Peace Conference • Delegations were dominated by Allied leaders – Central Powers and Russia were excluded – other Allies sought to punish Germany • Wilson had to compromise on his “points” • Treaty of Versailles – Germany had to accept sole responsibility (war-guilt clause), pay reparations, give up land, limit army, destroy bases – new nation-states were created, some Allies annexed territory – proposed the creation of a League of Nations

The Fight Over the League of Nations • Americans generally favored the Versailles treaty and the League of Nations • Republicans in the Senate stood in opposition – Henry Cabot Lodge – “Irreconcilables” and “Reservationists” • Wilson campaigned for the passage of the treaty but fell ill – immobilized for remainder of his presidency – treaty died in the Senate