EXPANSION AND IMPERIALISM The Rise of America as a World Power

1. EXPANSION AND IMPERIALISMThe Rise of America as aWorld Power History 17B Lecture 6

2. Washington’s Farewell Address, 1797 Warned nation against entangling alliances with European continent. Woodrow Wilson sent troops to Europe, 1917 What changed? America’s place in the world. Economic, strategic, and nationalist interests drove U.S. imperialism. Introduction: Entangling Alliances

3. Early U.S. Foreign Policy The “myth” of American isolationism. Always relied on trade and looked to expand westward towards “empire.” Removing European Obstacles Monroe Doctrine, 1823 Mexican American War, 1846-48 Drove France from Mexico, 1866 Purchased Alaska in 1867 Further Expansion? Economic and social changes drove imperialism. Consolidating American Hemispheric Power

4. Sources of Imperialist Expansion • Definition • A policy of military and economic conquest and possession. • Colonies necessary to extract resources and extend markets. British India

5. Sources of Imperialist Expansion • U.S. Motivations • Economic Interests • Capitalism requires expansion of foreign markets. • Colonies not essential, but they do provide a “captive audience.” U.S. surpasses Britain in percentage of world manufacturing production.

6. U.S. Motivations Strategic Interests Alfred Thayer Mahan Production of goods for foreign trade. Shipping to carry on this commerce. Colonies to provide markets and raw materials. Strength abroad will bring strength at home. Dominate Central America, Caribbean, and Pacific. Sources of Imperialist Expansion Captain Alfred T. Mahan

7. U.S. Motivations Nationalism American visions of greatness and racial/cultural superiority. Social Darwinism preached Anglo-Saxon leadership. Reinvigorate American people through expansion. By 1898, a sense of urgency to jump into race for colonies. Sources of Imperialist Expansion

8. Sources of Imperialist Expansion • The Spanish-American War, 1898 • Fueled by expansionist ambitions and “yellow journalism.” • U.S. takes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines, and a base on Cuba (also annexes Hawaii). • Resistance • Some Cuban opposition to U.S. naval presence. • Filipino insurrection costly in lives and money. Explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor.

9. Sources of Imperialist Expansion • Anti-Imperialist Response • Some called forced acquisition of territories a threat to U.S. democracy. • Underlying racist argument: • Backward cultures would pervert U.S. democracy. • Fear of interracial mixing and labor unrest.

10. Indirect imperialism Export products, ideas, influence. Progressive Diplomacy driven by: Sense of global destiny; Commitment to civilizing “lesser breeds;” Aggressive economic expansionism. TR’s Big Stick Roosevelt Corollary, 1904 U.S. would be police power in Western Hemisphere Caribbean an “American lake.” Use of force creates bad relations with Latino neighbors. Progressive Diplomacy

11. Taft and Dollar Diplomacy Private investment to promote U.S. interests in Latin America. Tied debt-ridden nations to the U.S. Substitute “dollars for bullets.” Taft used both and the policy became linked with unpopular regimes, corporations, and banks. Progressive Diplomacy William Howard Taft U.S. Troops in Nicaragua, 1912

12. Wilson’s New Diplomacy Export American democracy/capitalism. America had a “mission.” Patronizing to nations that did not follow American guidance. Intervention in Mexico and Latin America. Wilson failed to understand that America cannot graft its style of democracy onto countries with their own traditions. Will America ever learn this lesson? Progressive Diplomacy Woodrow Wilson

13. American Neutrality Potential deep divisions in U.S. population. But most Americans favored Allies (Britain, France, and Russia). Allied propaganda Forces Leading to War Ensure repayment of Allied loans Unrestricted German sub warfare Zimmerman Telegram (1917) America declared war April, 1917 “The War to End All Wars”

14. Armistice in 1918 • Nearly 9 million dead (115,000 U.S.)

15. Making the world “safe for democracy.” 14 Points (1918) Free trade, self-determination in Europe and Mid-East, and reduction of weapons. League of Nations A tough sell to allies at Versailles who wanted to punish Germany. Wilsonian Idealism Versailles Peace Conference

16. Wilsonian Idealism • Opposition at Home • Republican opposition to “collective security.” • Fear of entangling alliances? • Treaty defeated in Senate. • U.S. does not join the League of Nations. • Postwar Disillusionment • America turned inward.