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US Emerges as a World Power. Imperialism and World War I. What led the Americans into War. YELLOW JOURNALISM The De Lome Letter: Spanish minister to the US called President McKinley “weak” and Cuban rebels leaked it to the media
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US Emerges as a World Power Imperialism and World War I
What led the Americans into War • YELLOW JOURNALISM • The De Lome Letter: Spanish minister to the US called President McKinley “weak” and Cuban rebels leaked it to the media • USS Maine explodes in the port of Havana, killing 260 American sailors
SPAM Facts • By April of 1898, Pres. McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain • War on 2 fronts: Philippines and Caribbean • Philippines: US navy destroyed Spanish navy • Caribbean: US sealed Spanish fleet in ports; army was made up of professionals • Rough Riders: cavalry unit led by TR • Battle of San Juan Hill: Cavalry units aided in the US victory
Outcome of SPAM • Treaty of Paris: ended the war by August 1898 • Spain freed Cuba and turned over Guam and Puerto Rico to US • Spain sold the Philippines for $20 million
Wilson as President: • Latin America: Moral Diplomacyspread peace and democracy into the region • Triple Wall of Privilege: tariff, the banks, trusts • 16th Amendment: income tax • Federal Reserve Act (1913)regulated the nations’ banks to prevent an economic depression
Isolation or Intervention…what’s a country to do? U.S. in international Turmoil
4 M.A.I.N. Causes of WWI • Militarism • Alliances • Triple Entente (Allies): GB, France, Russia • Triple Alliance (Central): Germany, Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire, **ITALY** • Imperialism • Nationalism
Meanwhile in the World • Trigger Event: Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and wife in Sarjev, Bosnia in June 1914 • Austria issued a warning to Serbia to allow in Austrian investigators • Serbia was backed by Russia; Austria was backed by Germany • Eventually Austria declared war on Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia and France • Once Belgium was invaded by Germany, GB declared war on Germany
Wilson’s Views… • Wilson called for US neutrality in both thought and deed (isolationism) • Both sides tried to gain US support • Immigrants in the US were torn as they watched their home countries torn apart in war • US Economy boomed via GB & French war orders
Causes that led to US entering WWI: • US merchant ships were being sunk by German u-boats • Sinking of the Lusitania • British blockade of European ports, but American investors and business traded with the Allies • Russian Revolution • Zimmerman note (last straw)
Wilson’s Re-election • Wilson was re-elected in 1916 with a campaign slogan of “He kept us out of war” • Wilson asked for a declaration war on April 2, 1917 ending American policy of ISOLATIONISM
The Big Four @ Versailles • France—George Clemenceau • GB—David Lloyd Garrison • Italy—Vittorio Orlando • USA—Woodrow Wilson
Wilson’s Plan (14 Points) • no secret alliances • freedom of the seas • free trade or little restrictions among the nations • Arms should be reduced • Self-determination for colonies • LAST POINT: called for a body of nations to discuss and handle disputes (LEAGUE OF NATIONS)
Results of the Treaty of Versailles • new nations were formed • $33 BILLION in war reparations were to be paid by Germany • Germany had to admit sole responsibility for starting WWI • US Senate refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles b/c of League of Nations