Why Imperialism?

1. Why Imperialism? • Europe showing economic benefits of imperialism • New markets in rare resources from Africa & Asia • Yellow journalism • Increased public interest in foreign “exotic and adventurous” lands • Missionaries • Wanted to “save” un-Christian natives of these lands • Reverend Josiah Strong leader of movement • Capt. Alfred Thayer Mahan’s “Influence of Sea Power Upon History” • Stressed that key to power is through the navy • Effect of book: • U.S. starts building up Navy • Stronger navy allows for imperialism

2. Why Imperialism? • Widely believed social theories: • Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” theory: • Weaker nations will wither away due to course of nature • Thus, it’s only natural for stronger nations to conquer the weak • Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden”: (Read the poem silently and turn to a partner to discuss it’s meaning) • Theorized that “white” Europe and America have a responsibility to colonize to “help” the weaker nations • Thus make own nation stronger • Both used as justification for imperialism

3. International Incidents & PoliciesHow does each push America towards imperialism and the need for a strong navy? • James G. Blaine’s “Big Brother” (AKA “Big Sister”) policy • U.S. responsibility to protect Latin America • 1882 – Blaine leads Pan-American Conference • U.S. mediates disputes between Latin American countries Push towards imperialism/navy? • Goals for Blaine were imperialistic: • Make Latin America supportive and reliant on U.S. • Allow U.S. to have direct influence in Latin American politics

4. 1888 – Standoff: USA vs. Germany over Samoa • Result: Samoa split in half • 1891 – Standoff: USA vs. Italy – 11 Italian immigrants lynched in New Orleans • Result: USA made payments to Italian families Push towards imperialism/navy? Navy needed strengthening in case of war • 1889 – Standoff: USA vs. Britain after gold is discovered in Guiana (Venezuelan region) • Britain attempts to take over and mine gold – Issue? • Breaking the Monroe Doctrine • Result: • Venezuela pleads with U.S. for help • U.S. steps in and sticks up for “little sister” • Britain backs down, war narrowly avoided Push towards imperialism/navy? • Strengthens Latin American dependence on U.S. • Navy needed strengthening in case of war

5. Hawaii • American “economic imperialism” present in Hawaii since early 1800s • Fruit and sugar companies had lots of power over islands due to economic power • Hawaii regarded as a “little sister” as well • Reasons for imperialism: • Companies feared Japan might try to take over • Resistance of native Hawaiians growing • McKinley’s high import tax was hurting American companies in Hawaii • Solution? • Annex Hawaii

6. Hawaii’s Annexation? • Queen Liliuokalani refused to give up power • 1893 – Americans in Hawaii & dethrone Queen with some U.S. military help • President Grover Cleveland upset by non-diplomatic methods • Refused to sign off on annexation • Temporary republic set up by business owners • Hawaii eventually annexed in 1898 by McKinley

7. Cuba • 1895 – Cubans revolt against Spain • American roots for Cuba – why? • Supports the Monroe Doctrine policy • Cuba valuable for ports and location • Sentimental of American revolution • Spanish General Weyler sent to stop revolt • Harsh tactics: concentration camps for “insurrectos”

8. Effect of Yellow Journalism • Hearst & Pulitzer portray Weyler as super villain • Embellished pictures outrage Americans • The de Lome letter • Stolen letter written by Spanish diplomat insulting McKinley is published in Hearst’s newspapers • Americans angered • The U.S.S. Maine explosion (1898) • Ship explodes in Havana harbor killing 258 American sailors • Cause of explosion unknown but the yellow press blamed Spain • American public demanded war for revenge on Spain • McKinley reluctantly gives in, Congress declares war April 1898 • Teller Amendment – U.S. promises not to annex Cuba after war

9. Spanish-American War • Spanish-American War • War heavily supported by the public • America overconfident and underprepared • Poor planning on both sides

10. War in the Pacific • Secretary of the Navy Teddy Roosevelt sees chance for imperialistic gains • Roosevelt orders Commodore George Dewey to attack Spain in the Philippines • May 1, 1898 – Dewey attacks and first battle of war ensues • 10 aged Spanish ships vs. 6 modern American ships • Very one-sided naval battle – America wins naval battle • Unprepared: couldn’t invade – must wait on foot soldier reinforcements • Aug 13 – U.S. captures Manila from Spain with help of Filipino insurgents against Spain • Americans save Filipino rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo from exile to help fight Spain • Now with U.S. controlling Philippines, a coaling station needed between Southeast Asia & California… • Hawaii officially annexed in 1898

11. War in the Caribbean • U.S. led by Gen. William Shafter • Teddy Roosevelt resigns from Sec. of Navy to fight in war • Organizes “Rough Riders” cavalry – horseless cavalry • Unprepared: couldn’t get horses from ships to shore • Spain sends fleet to Santiago’s narrow harbor • Mistake: creates a gauntlet for Spain to get in or out • U.S. sends ships and troops to Santiago • Unprepared: soldiers issued wool uniforms – suffer in extreme summer heat • U.S. navy blockades harbor and soldiers surrounded the Spanish from the other side of the harbor • Spain tries to run gauntlet out of the harbor and gets mowed down by the U.S. navy • U.S. easily takes Spanish-owned Puerto Rico and Guam too • Spain surrenders and signs armistice by August 1898

12. Aftermath of Spanish American War • Effects of the “Splendid Little War” • Unprepared: poor medical planning – more soldiers (5,000) will die of disease than in battle (4,000) • U.S. seen as a rising world power • North vs. South tension disappears a bit • Common enemy was the Spaniards, not each other • Teddy Roosevelt rises to fame • Post-war treaty proposed: • Cuba would be free • U.S. would gain Puerto Rico, Guam, and control of Philippines • What to do with all these countries?

13. Cuba • Promised freedom to Cuba, but America wanted to ensure a stable government would take power: • Temporary military government led by Col. Leonard Wood • Sets up Cuban government, education system, agriculture • Makes medical advancements to combat rampant disease • U.S. leaves Cuba by 1902 – creates Platt Agreement: • U.S. approves all Cuban treaties • U.S. could intervene if Cuban economy crashes • U.S. military owns one coaling station in Cuba • Guantanamo Bay

14. Puerto Rico • Retained as an unincorporated territory of the U.S. • Issue: Do American laws apply here? • Series of “Insular Cases” taken to Supreme Court • Supreme Court declares American laws don’t extend to these new lands • Improvements made in sanitation, transportation, education, etc • Foraker Act gives P.R. limited elected government • 1917 – Puerto Ricans granted full U.S. citizenship • Many freely move to New York City

15. The Philippines Dilemma • Big issue at treaty talks: “What to do with the Philippines?” • Give back to Spain? • Spain ruled harshly and abusive of natives • Let Filipinos rule themselves? • Could result in chaos due to rival warlords • U.S. takes over the country? • Would make U.S. look like imperial bullies • Angry Filipinos willing to fight for freedom • McKinley decides to take over Philippines            • Swayed by yellow press’s effect on public opinion and imperialist business owners • $20 million paid to Spain for Philippines

16. The Philippines Dilemma • Senate still needs to approve treaty – debate ensues: • Anti-Imperialist League lobby against annexation: • Unlike Hawaii or Alaska, Philippines had a heavily resistant population and out of U.S. “jurisdiction” • Imperialists lobby for annexation: • “The White Man’s Burden” used as justification • Treaty approved by one vote in Senate

17. Filipino Resistance • Filipinos felt deceived by USA, wanted independence • Feb 4, 1899 – Emilio Aguinaldo leads uprising – ironic? • Philippine-American War • Fighting lasts for over a year • America uses cruel tactics to suppress Filipinos • American soldiers die more from disease than battle • Diplomatic solutions taken • William H. Taft sent to serve as civil governor of Philippines • Taft well liked by Filipinos

18. Filipino Resistance • Taft institutes “benevolent assimilation” policy: • Goal was to caringly help and improve the Philippines • Millions of American dollars invested in Filipino infrastructure: • Sanitation, roads, education, economy, healthcare • Fighting fades away, but desire for independence still alive • Philippines not granted freedom until 1946.

19. Imperialized China • Separated into “spheres of influence” by Europe • Various European countries had exclusive trade rights in coastal cities of China • American business wants in on China’s natural resources • Sec. of State John Hay drafts “Open Door Policy” • Suggests that Chinese cities should be open to all nations for trade – ban all exclusive trade rights • Europe not willing to compromise • 1899 – China’s Boxer Rebellion against foreigners quelled by combined forces of Europe and America • Open Door Policy now accepted at treaty talks • America now has open and lucrative trade with China

20. Election of 1896 • Issues: • Base currency off gold, silver, or both? • Demands of working class vs. worried upper classes • Reps nominate William McKinley • “Safe” choice: Civil War vet, good Congressional record, pro-tariff, friendly and likeable • Very pro-business • Dems nominate William Jennings Bryan • “Boy orator of the Platte” • Young (36), great speaker & debater from Nebraska • Anti-tariff, used Populist Party’s main platform: coin more silver • Populists started joining the Democrats: • “Dem-Pop” Party • McKinley exploits economic fears of country, drums up far more campaign money • McKinley easily wins election • Results & effects of election? • Currency will be based on gold, not silver • Victory for business owners and upper classes

21. President William McKinley • Very safe and cautious with his decisions • Made decisions based off public opinion • Two issues: gold vs. silver & fix economy • Dingley Tariff Act (1897) – significantly raised tariff to 46% • Goal was to increase revenue & fix economy after Panic of 1893 • Cleveland’s low Wilson-Gorman Tariff deemed ineffective • Gold Standard Act (1900) • Allowed for people to trade paper money for gold • More symbolic than anything • Giving people the option brought calmness and confidence in the economy • Gold discovered in Alaska causes inflation • Helps lower classes

22. Prosperity • McKinley successful in fixing economy • Country pulled out of recession • Pro-business policies, inflation from gold discovery, gold vs. silver debate solved… • Allows for calmness and confidence in economy • Calmness and confidence →economic growth • Uncertainty in economy → hinders growth The Rise of Imperialism • Europe had been colonizing in Africa and Asia for most of the 1800s • Isolationist America turning towards imperialism now

23. Election of 1900 • Rematch between McKinley and William Jennings Bryan • Mudslinging: • Bryan: McKinley is an imperialist bully and war monger • McKinley: Bryan as president would kill American prosperity • McKinley chose famous and beloved Teddy Roosevelt as VP • McKinley is easily reelected… • McKinley shot and killed 6 months into second term • Assassin was a disgruntled anarchist • Secret Service reassigned to full-time duty of protecting presidents and politicians

24. President Theodore Roosevelt • AKA “Teddy” or “TR” • Short, brawny New Yorker, Harvard grad • Theory of role: a president should lead, not supervise • Motto: “Speak softly and carry a big stick” • Ironic because TR was boisterous, stubborn, and temperamental • BELOVED by the public – why? • Press often portrayed him a spunky, cartoonish, war-hero

25. Imperialist Teddy: Panama Canal • TR wants canal in Central America built – why? • Would greatly benefit trade and power of navy • French engineer Philippe Bunau-Varilla hired • Obstacles: • European jurisdictions • Location of canal: Nicaragua? Panama? • Panama chosen, but is part of Columbia – refused to give up land

26. The Panama Canal • Bunau-Varilla incited Panama rebellion in 1901 • U.S. Navy helps Panama in wining independence from Columbian “tyrants” • Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty signed between Panama and U.S. • Approves construction and lease of canal to U.S • Panama Canal completed in 1914 • Obstacles of sanitation, disease, and overwhelming engineering task overcome • Construction led by George Washington Goethals

27. U.S.-Latin America Relations Damaged • Canal causes major tension because of “Big Stick Policy” • Bullying techniques used to cause war between Panama and Columbia • Latin American countries consistently behind in repaying debts to Europe • TR worried Europe would intervene – problem? • Violates Monroe Doctrine • Creates the “Roosevelt Corollary” • Amendment to Monroe Doctrine stating U.S. will intervene and collect debts for Europe • U.S. significantly intervenes in Cuba in 1906, and later Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic • TR’s “Big Stick Policy” contradicts the intended “Good Neighbor Policy” • Latin American relations with U.S. deteriorate

28. Teddy the Peacemaker • 1905 – TR asked to mediate treaty talks after Russo-Japanese War • Both Japan and Russia unhappy with results, especially Japan • Relations between all three countries decline • 1906 – TR successfully mediates a dispute in North Africa • Wins Nobel Peace Prize for peace-making work

29. Rocky Relations with Japan • Japan bitter after TR’s mediation • Small number of Japanese laborers begin to migrate to California • “Yellow peril” sweeps through state thanks to influence of press • 1906 – Asian immigrants segregated from SF Schools • Japan outraged at treatment of Japanese in California – talks of war • TR makes “Gentleman’s Agreement” to end issue • Asian segregation in schools ends, Japan halts emigration to U.S. • TR worried agreement makes America look weak • Sends the “Great White Fleet” on “diplomatic good-will mission”… • Subtly shows power of U.S. military • U.S. and Japan sign Root-Takahira agreement – respect for each other’s territories

30. Progressive Party Rises • New reform movement gaining influence – “Progressives” • Roots from Greenback Party (1870s) and Populist Party (1890s) • Goal: to achieve social justice by using government as an “agency of human welfare” • Calling for more government intervention, less “laissez-faire” capitalism • 1902 – “Muckrakers” emerge – writers and social critics exposing corruption and injustice through newspapers and magazines • “Cosmopolitan”Magazine • “The Shame of Cities”by Lincoln Steffens

31. Who was the Progressive Party? • Mostly made up of middle class • Felt squashed between business tycoons at top and working class at bottom • Political reforms wanted: • Initiative and referendum – public can propose & vote on laws • Recall – voters can remove elected officials • Secret ballot – ensures free and fair voting • Female suffrage

32. Women’s Movement • Lillian Ward & Jane Addams lead suffrage movement • Create “Hull House” in Chicago to help working class and immigrants • Women’s rights gaining strength through legislation: • 1908 – Muller v. Oregon – extra laws to protect female workers deemed constitutional • 1911 – Triangle Shirtwaist Fire – new motion for laws for better hours, conditions, safety, and worker compensation • Prohibition Movement • Anti-Saloon League join Woman’s Christian Temperance Movement • Well-organized, well-financed • Many states started banning alcohol • Half of Americans by 1914 live in “dry” areas • 1919 – 18th Amendment passes “Prohibition” • Alcohol sale, consumption, and possession banned

33. Teddy the Progressive • TR deeply influenced by “muckrakers” progressivism – ironic? • TR created the derogatory name • Teddy calls platform: “The Square Deal”: • Vows to accomplish the “Three C’s”: • Control corporations • Consumer protection • Conservation of natural resources

34. 1st C: Control the Corporations • Creates the Dept. of Commerce and Labor • Bureau of Corporations responsible for: • Investigating interstate trade • Stops railroad corruption & bullying • Breaking up monopolies (AKA “trusts”) • Teddy the “Trust buster” • TR proudly begins to break up monopolies • Disbands over 40 “bad” trusts • Biggest was JP Morgan’s trust • “Good” trusts were allowed to operate

35. 2nd C: Consumer Protection • 1906 – “The Jungle”by Upton Sinclair exposes horrible conditions of meat packing industry • Has major influence on public and Congress • 1906 – Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act both passed • Proper labeling techniques, inspection, prevents tampering • Results in increased exports of American meat

36. 3rd C: Conservation of Natural Resources • By 1900, America realizing natural resources not unlimited • TR leads conservation movement • 1902 – Newlands Act – massive irrigation projects in West • TR lawfully protects 125 million acres of forest • TR still a pragmatist over a conservationist • Example: HetchHetchy Valley in Yosemite • Leads to a philosophical split

37. The “Roosevelt Panic” of 1907 • Sudden sharp economic downturn • Beloved Teddy solely blamed • Congress passes Aldrich-Vreeland Act (1908) • Authorizes national banks to release money into circulation • An elastic supply of currency could now help during recessions • Would lead to the Federal Reserve Act (1913)

38. Election of 1908 • TR still very popular announced he would not run for a third term • Endorses a similar-minded politician • William Taft is Rep. Nominee • Taft was BIG and very likeable • William Jennings Bryan is Dem. Nominee for 3rd time • Taft easily wins election • Much help from TR’s popularity • Socialist Party candidate Eugene Debs gets 3% of popular vote – significance? • Debs rose to fame in Pullman Strike in Chicago • Sign of the times: social justice movement

39. Teddy’s Legacy • Brought big business under control • Increases role of presidency • Passes wide range of reform • Showed U.S. was a world power • Therefore U.S. had “major responsibility” TR stressed

40. President William H. Taft • Taft was well-liked, but less like TR than expected: • Hands-off approach to leading • Mildly progressive • Desired stability rather than reform • Taft pushed “Dollar Diplomacy” policy: • America would strategically invest in foreign countries to gain power • Therefore, U.S. could gain power and money simultaneously • Very different from TR’s Big Stick Policy • Dollar Diplomacy in action: • Purchase of Chinese railroads fail – blocked by Russia & Japan • U.S. heavily invests in Latin America • U.S. now responsible for maintaining stability in Latin America

41. Taft the Trustbuster • Taft “out-busts” TR – 90 trusts disbanded in his term • Biggest was Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company • Taft attempts to break up U.S. Steel Company • TR had deemed it one of the “good trusts” • Taft refuses to halt investigation, TR furious

42. Republicans Split • “Old, traditional” Reps vs. “New, progressive” Reps • 2 big dividing issues: the tariff & conservation • Old Reps: high tariff, develop land for economic benefit • New Reps: low tariff, conserve lands • Taft promised to lower tariff during campaigning • Signs Payne-Aldrich Bill which raises tariff • Further splits Rep. Party • Taft allows for Wyoming, Montana, Alaska to be open for development • Very unpopular with public • Who’s bound to gain power from this split? • Democrats win heavily in Congressional Elections in 1910

43. The Taft-Roosevelt Rupture • The Republican Party officially splits: • 1911 – National Progressive Republican League • Led by Senator Robert La Follette • Roosevelt so upset by Taft’s presidency, he decides to run again • Progressive Republican Party nominates TR • June 1912 – Republican Presidential Convention • Taft vs. Roosevelt, winner would run as Rep. nominee for president • Convention votes on Taft – why? • Incumbent, fear public wouldn’t vote for a 3rd term president • Teddy refused to step aside, vows to run as a 3rd party candidate

44. Election of 1912 • Republican Party nominates Taft • Progressive Party nominates Roosevelt • “Bull Moose Party” • Democratic Party nominates Dr. Woodrow Wilson • Governor of New Jersey • Very progressive minded • Two Major Platforms: • Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism” • Only disband “bad” trusts, female suffrage, social welfare programs • Wilson’s “New Freedom” • Disband all trusts, supported small business • Mudslinging and incident: • Major mudslinging between Taft and Roosevelt • Roosevelt shot on campaign trail, survives

45. Election of 1912 • Wilson wins easily • Popular vote: • Wilson: 42% • Roosevelt: 28% • Taft: 23% • Why is this significant? • Majority wanted a Republican president, not Wilson • Taft retires from politics, goes to law school • Becomes Chief Justice of Supreme Court in 1921 • Teddy goes on expedition of South Africa • Side note: Eugene Debs (Socialist) gets 6% of popular vote

46. President Woodrow Wilson • Born and raised in South, very intelligent, deeply religious, believed president should lead • Very different than TR: • Stubborn idealist, not a pragmatist • Sometimes detrimental to achieving goals • Not a people’s person • A Progressive President… • Wilson vows to tear down “triple wall of privilege”: • The tariff, the banks, the trusts

47. Domestic: “Triple Wall of Privilege” • Major reforms made: • Tariffs: The Underwood Tariff (1913) • Reduced tariffs on imports • Initiated a graduated income tax • Banking: Federal Reserve Act (1913) • Creates appointed Federal Reserve Board • Oversee 12 regional, federal banks • Issue paper money to regulate amount of currency in circulation • Made conservative appointments to Board to keep business tycoons happy • Trusts: Federal Trade Commission Act (1914) • Investigates activities of trust • Goal: stop crooked business practices affecting consumers • Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) also passed • Forbade price discrimination, interlocking directorates, helped union rights

48. Domestic: “Wilsonian Progressivism” • Follows up with several reforms: • Protection for farmers • Better treatment and pay for sailors • Paved way for better worker’s rights: • Worker’s Compensation Act (1916) • Adamson Act (1916) • 8-hour workday and overtime • Made small steps toward ethnic equality • Appoints Louis Brandeis, first Jewish Supreme Justice • Little done for African Americans during progressivism • W.E.B. Du Bois created National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

49. International: Wilson’s Foreign Policy • Wilson a pacifist and anti-imperialist: • Blocked American involvement in mass loan to China • Got Congress to repeal Panama Canal Tolls Act (1912) • American ships now had to pay tolls • Jones Act (1916) granting territorial status of Philippines • Promises independence when stable government is established • Defused situation with Japan over treatment of Japanese in California • Purchases Virgin Islands from Denmark for protective reasons • United States Virgin Islands

50. International: Wilson’s Foreign Policy • Wilson a pacifist and anti-imperialist: • Why might this have a dangerous outcome on America internationally? • America already had many businesses and land overseas • From Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy • Abandoning them? • Forced to send Marines to protect American investments in Haiti and Dom. Rep. after violence erupts • Mexican Revolution…