Emerging Imperialism in the Late 19th Century

1. Chapter 27 Notes Isolationism is disappearing/Imperialism emerging Imperialism Many began looking beyond our borders(population, wealth, production-labor violence & agrarian unrest-Overseas markets Yellow Press contributed-adventures of expansion Overseas missions-spread superior values to “backward” people-superiority of Anglo-Saxons(Rev J. Strong-Our Country: Its Possible Future & Present Crisis) Teddy Roosevelt/Henry Cabot Lodge expressed Darwinism Alfred Thayer Mahan-Influence of Sea Power Upon History-helped to stimulate Naval competition New international interest-James G. Blaine-”Big Sister Policy”-open L. American markets to America

2. Incidents emerging from aggressive attitudes: • US & German navies-1889-Samoan Islands • Lynching of 11 Italians in New Orleans-1891 • 1892-death of 2 US sailors in Chile-damages paid • Argument over hunting rights in Pribilof Islands off Alaska resolved in 1893 • New Aggressive Mood!

3. Monroe Doctrine & Venezuelan Squall • Anti-British feeling flared in 1895-96 over Venezuela-Jungle of British Guiana & Venezuela under dispute • Venezuelans made strong claims which went our the door once gold was found • President Cleveland/Sec of State Olney presented London w/letter claiming they were in violation of the Monroe Doctrine-London needed to submit to arbitration & we were calling the shots in the Western Hemisphere • Britain took 4 months to respond-rejected Doctrine and arbitration • Cleveland sent a special message to Congress to put together a commission of where the boundary should go-if Britain would not accept we would fight(War?) • Sober minds prevailed-Germany-S. Africa-Britain • Monroe Doctrine enhanced

4. Hawaii • Long attracted the attention of US-1820 first missionaries • Some saw as an extension of US coastline-1840s State Department warned others to stay out-Reciprocity in 1875-1887 naval rights to Pearl Harbor • TROUBLE: 1890 McKinley Tariff raised barriers vs. sugar-white planters thought US should annex-Queen L. insisted natives should rule-tiny white minority led a successful revolt in in 1893 assisted by American forces • Grover Cleveland thought we had wronged Queen L. and withdrew treaty from Senate and sent investigators to Hawaii • Majority of natives did not support annexation yet Americans did-put off for 5 years

5. Cuban Revolt • Roots of revolt economic and in the US-1894 Tariff • Adopted a scorched earth policy-damage enough and Spain would move out and US would help-insurrectos • Us sided with the Patriots-investment of $50 million -$100 million in trade-Spanish misrule also harmed shipping routes & future canal • 1896 Spanish Gen. “Butcher” Weyler herded many into barbed wire concentration camps to keep many from helping the resistance-many died! • Congress in 1896 asked Grover Cleveland to recognize the Patriots-he would not

6. Maine • “Yellow Journalism” ruled the day-exaggerated events-Weyler removed in 1897 yet conditions worsened • Spain talked of some self-government in Cuba yet Spaniards resisted • 1898 US sent Maine to Cuba to evacuate Americans if needed • Spanish minister in DC wrote a letter about McKinley saying he was an “ear to the ground politician”-De Lome letter • Feb 15, 1898 Maine blew up in Havana Harbor-260 US sailors died • Who was responsible? American reaction?

7. McKinley & War • US diplomats had worked-1.) End reconcentration camps 2.) Armistice between Spain and rebels • McKinley pressured to ask for declaration of war • McKinley did not trust Spain, believed in Democracy & give people what they wanted • Congress declared war in April, 1898 w/ Teller Amendment?

8. Victory • American people plunged lightly into war-Ready? • Spain’s dominance on paper? • Navy prepared-TR took over for Sec of Navy John Long-cabled Comm. George Dewey to move on Philippines in event of war-moved to Manila in May of 1898 destroyed Spanish fleet Imperialist Plums • Dewey had destroyed fleet yet could not move on Forts of Manila-had to wait for reinforcements • Foreign warships began to gather to protect nationals in Manila • British helped ease hostilities between US and Germany • August 13, 1898-US forces finally arrived and took forts-Joint Resolution-Hawaii on July 7, 1898-McKinley approved-residents of Hawaii granted full citizenship rights & full territorial status in 1900

9. Cuban Invasion • Shortly after we declared war Spain sent a fleet to Cuba-Problems! Panic seized Eastern US & government had to dispatch old worthless ships for marale • Blockade by US yet invasion struggled-led by Wllm Shafter yet unprepared for war in the tropics • Rough Riders emerged-led by TR-Political pull landed him the spot since he was so nearsighted • Great success for US-not much opposition

10. End for Spain • American fleet closing in on Spanish fleet-Spanish fleet destroyed-500 Spaniards died-Signed armistice Aug 12, 1898 • If Spain could have held out? US was dying due to other factors • 400 died from bullets-5,000 from sickness

11. McKinley Heeds Duty • 1898 negotiations began: easily picked up Guam & Puerto Rico-Biggest problem was the Philippines-larger that British Isles-7 million people • McKinley felt we could not free them from Spain & just leave • Maybe Germany would take over and give freedom later • Missionaries eager for new converts, Wall Street wanted profits-A “Voice” told McKinley to take all of the Philippines & Christianize, and civilize • Manila was captured the day after the armistice-deadlock broken when US agreed to pay Spain $20 million

12. America’s Empire • Growing Empire and we had acquired about all we would end with • Anti-Imperialist League sprang up-many prominent members • Filipinos desired freedom-would we deny them that? • Imperialists:trade profits, natural resources, must uplift! • In Senate the treaty was hotly debated-WJ Bryan threw his support behind and barely passed

13. Puerto Rico/Cuba • Foraker Act of 1900-allowed limited amount of popular government-in 1917 granted Puerto Rico US citizenship-helped to modernize & still many wanted independence • Legal Issues? 1901-Insular Cases-Filipinos & Puerto Ricans may be subject to US rule yet did not enjoy US rights • Cuba-US government(military) set up under Gen. Leonard Wood & brought much advancement-went after cure for yellow fever(Dr Walter Reed)-mosquitoes carried • US withdrew in 1902(Teller Amendment)-wrote own constitution which included the Platt Amendment: not to impair themselves w/treaty, not contracting debt beyond resources, US could intervene w/ troops to restore order & protect, promised to sell coaling and naval stations(Guantanamo-28,000 acre beachhead)

14. New Horizons • Spanish War-Coming Out Party---World Power! • War lasted 113 days-more respect from Europe • New Spirit(Souza)-”Splendid Little War”-rush to empire • Ally-Britain, L. America-suspicious, Germany-envious • Philippines made US a far eastern power-unwilling to defend dangerous commitments • Mahan’s big navy seemed vindicated • Elihu Root took over War Department-established a general staff & War College • End of Bloody Chasm between N & S • Many Southerners fought under General Joe Wheeler-Union cavalry hero • Makers of America