What qualifications are needed for a country to be considered a world power?

1. What qualifications are needed for a country to be considered a world power?

2. AMERICA AND THE WORLD

3. What is imperialism? • Imperialism is the policy of powerful countries seeking to control the economic and political affairs of weaker countries or regions. • Is this right? What do you think?

4. Why did America join the imperialist club at the end of the 19c?

5. 1. Commercial/Business Interests • U. S. Foreign Investments: 1869-1908

6. 1. Commercial/Business Interests

7. 2. Military/Strategic Interests

8. 3. Social Darwinist Thinking

9. 4. Religious/Missionary Interests

10. 5. Closing the American Frontier

11. Chapter 23 Section 1 A Pacific Empire

12. Isolationism vs. Expansionism • Isolationism: one nation having little to do with the political affairs of other nations. • Expansionism: extending one country’s national boundaries. • Which one do you agree with?

13. Seward Looks to the Pacific • In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward convinced Congress to annex, or take over, Midway Island, in the middle of the Pacific. • Seward is best known for his purchase of Alaska from Russia.

14. Seward’s Folly • Seward agreed to buy Alaska for $7.2 million. • Many people mocked Seward for purchasing Alaska calling it “Seward’s Ice Box” and “Seward’s Folly” • Eventually, Seward had the last laugh when Alaska proved rich in gold, timber, copper, petroleum, and natural gas.

16. Why Imperialism?Why Not?? • European countries were racing for colonies in the late 1800’s. • America was becoming a world leader in both agriculture and industry. • America needed to keep up.

17. A New Navy • Alfred Mahan, a naval captain, argued that the prosperity of America depended on foreign trade. • As a result, the U.S. Navy had to have naval bases around the world to protect its interests.

19. Hawaii • U.S. planters gained political influence in Hawaii. • In 1893, U.S. marines landed in Hawaii and helped topple the monarchy • The U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898. (It became a territory but it did not become a state until 1959.)

22. Protecting Trade With China • China used to be the most powerful empire in the world. • Industrialized nations preyed on its vast resources. • The U.S., being a late-comer to the imperialism game, convinced nations who held “spheres of influence” in China to accept the Open Door Policy.

24. Cont. • A sphere of influence was an area, usually around a seaport, where a nation had special privileges. • The Open Door Policy allowed all nations to trade in the spheres of others.

27. Boxer Rebellion • The Chinese did not like the idea of foreigners in their country taking their resources. • In 1900, a group called the Righteous Fists of Harmony, or Boxers attacked westerners. • An international army, including 2,500 Americans, put down the rebellion. • Several nations saw the Boxer Rebellion as an excuse to seize more land in China.

30. Section 2 War With Spain

31. Tensions in Cuba • Cuba was part of the Spanish empire. • In 1895, rebels began a revolt against Spain in the hope of gaining independence. • Spain responded with the policy of reconcentration, which moved 500,000 Cubans into detention camps. • 100,000 died from starvation

32. “Reconcentration” policy

33. Americans Call For War • Newspapers practiced yellow journalism, or reporting that relied on sensational stories and headlines. • These stories of Spanish atrocities against the Cubans created American sympathy (and sold newspapers)

34. “Remember the Maine!” • In 1898, President McKinley sent the battleship Maine to Havana, the capital of Cuba, to protect Americans after fighting broke out there. • On the night of February 15, 1898, a huge explosion destroyed the Maine killing at least 260 of the 350 men on board. • Cries for war were increased by yellow journalism. • Congress declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898

39. The Spanish – American War • American forces were victorious in the Philippines due to a surprise naval attack. • Victory was gained in Cuba with the help of: • Rough Riders – were a volunteer cavalry regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt • Buffalo Soldiers – African American soldiers • The war lasted only 4 months

40. Results of the War • American combat losses – 379 Deaths from disease – over 5,000 • Cuba was granted its freedom from Spain • U.S. gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. • IS THIS EXPANSIONISM OR ISOLATIONISM?

41. The war is over…now what? • Cuba wrote its own constitution but was forced to accept the Platt Amendment. • This allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuba and gave them control of the naval base at Guantanamo Bay. • This amendment essentially made Cuba an American protectorate, a nation whose independence is limited by the control of a more powerful country.

43. Revolt in the Philippines • The people of the Philippines fought the U.S. following the Spanish-American War for their independence. • The U.S. put down the revolt but not before over 4,000 Americans lost their lives fighting.

44. Assignment • In pairs, come up with a list of yellow journalistic stories from recent years that you can remember. • Remember what yellow journalism is and do your best to come up with good examples and be ready to explain.

45. Ch. 23 Sec. 3 The United States in Latin America

46. A Canal Across Panama • President Theodore Roosevelt was determined to build a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. • It would shorten a trip from New York to San Francisco by 8,000 miles. • The U.S had to deal with Columbia who owned the land at the time

47. Taking the Canal Zone • Columbia refused Roosevelt’s offers. • As a result, TR backed Panamanians who wanted to break away from Columbia. • The Columbians were unable to put down the rebellion as a result of American interference. • Panama declared itself an independent republic. • The U.S. recognized the new nation immediately and made a deal with them to build a canal.

49. Was this dishonest or wrong for the U.S. to do?

50. “Mosquito Paradise” • The major problem people faced when building the canal were the disease carrying mosquitoes. They mainly carried yellow fever.