America Claims an Empire

1. America Claims an Empire Chapter 18

2. Imperialism • The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. • Europe – Africa and Asia • Leader in colonies • America • Economic competition among industrial nations • Political and military competition (creating of a strong naval force) • Belief in the racial and cultural superiority of people of Anglo-Saxon (English) descent

3. Imperialism • Reasons for: • American farms and factories produced more than citizens could consume. • Export more than they imported (favorable balance of trade)  $1.5 billion dollars in exports • Excuse to build up the navy • Maine and Oregon • Believed that people that were not Anglo-Saxon were “inferior” and needed to be helped.

4. Imperialism • Example: • Hawaii • By mid 1900s American-owned sugar plantations accounted for ¾ of the islands’ wealth. • By 1900 foreigners and immigrant laborers outnumbered native Hawaiians 3 to 1. • Before the McKinley Tariff of 1890 plantation owners could export sugar to the United States without having to pay a tax. • When they had to pay a tax they overthrew the monarchy by imprisoning the queen and only allowing rich property owners to vote. • Sanford B. Dole = new president • Pearl Harbor = United States naval base • August 12, 1898 Congress proclaimed Hawaii an American Territory without even letting Hawaiians vote on the decision.

5. The Spanish-American-Cuban War • America’s interest in Cuba • Sugar! • Wealthy businessmen invested large sums of money into plantations. • Spanish-Cuban War • Cuba was fighting for its independence and Americans sided with them wanting to get involved • Yellow journalism - reporting that exaggerates the news to lure new readers • Spain had concentration camps that killed thousands and imprisoned over 300,000

6. The Spanish-American-Cuban War • America enters the war • USS Maine exploded and the yellow journalism said that Spain had did it. • 1976 proved it was an internal explosion in the ships coal bunkers. • “Remember the Maine” • April 20, 1898 America went to war with Spain

7. The Spanish-American-Cuban War • America vs. Spain • Troops didn’t have enough guns, heavy wool uniforms, little training • Rough Riders • Volunteer cavalry under the command of Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt • Won a strategic battle leading to the end of the war. • Roosevelt considered a hero of the war. • Treaty of Paris • Cuba would become independent • Spain would give Puerto Rico and the Pacific island of Guam to the United States • The United States would pay Spain $20 million for the annexation of the Philippine Islands.

8. Acquiring New Land • Puerto Rico • Important for maintaining a U.S. presence in the Caribbean and for protecting a future canal that some American leaders wanted to build across the Isthmus of Panama. • Cuba • Platt Amendment • Cuba couldn’t make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any part of its territory • The United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba to preserve independence and maintain order. • Cuba was not to go into debt. • The United States could buy or lease land on the island fo naval and coaling stations.

9. Acquiring New Land • Cuba cont. • Became a U.S. protectorate – a country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power. • American corporations had invested heavily in the island’s sugar, tobacco, and mining industries, as wall as in its railroads and public utilities.

10. Acquiring New Land • Philippines • Rebelled and fought U.S. (lost) • United States had Filipinos live in designated zones where poor sanitation, starvation, and disease killed thousands. • Many African-American soldiers deserted and joined forces with the Filipinos. • Philippines had a similar contract with the U.S. like Cuba. (result)

11. Acquiring New Land • China • Open Door Policy • Sent to Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Russia • U.S. called for open access to China’s costal ports, the elimination of special privileges for any of the trading nations, and the maintenance of China’s indpendence.

12. America as a World Power • Panama Canal • A canal through Central America that would reduce travel time for commercial and military ships by providing a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. • Negotiations with Panama took a turn for the worse and Americans helped Panama win its independence • Result: Panama was a protectorate of U.S.

13. America as a World Power • Panama Canal cont. • 10 years • Thousands of workers • 5,600 workers (4,500 African Americans) • Many died from accidents or disease. • $400 million dollars • August 15, 1914 the canal opened for business • 1921 Congress paid Panama $25 million, but Latin America was upset with the imperialistic Americans.