American Imperialsim

1. American Imperialsim Who can define “imperialism?” The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. By the late 19th century, what region, or continent, was the major focus of imperialistic nations and who were those nations?

2. American Imperialsim Who can define “imperialism?” The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. By the late 19th century, what region, or continent, was the major focus of imperialistic nations and who were those nations?

3. American Imperialsim • Precedent for exerting colonial control: • experience subjugating Native Americans • Fears that natural resources would • dwindle • Outlet for frustrations regarding • domestic problems • Foreign trade: increasingly important to • U. S. economy • Exports: • 1870--$392 million • 1890--$857 million • 1900--$1.4 billion

4. American Imperialsim Imperialism based on economy American business & industry producing more than Americans could consume—needed new markets. Albert Beveridge American business & industry needed raw materials not available in the U. S. By 1900, U. S. had favorable balance of trade: economic power.

5. American Imperialsim Target: Africa Nations competing: Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Spain.

6. American Imperialsim Great Britain also had colonies in Asia and the Pacific region. The sun never set on the British Empire.

7. American Imperialsim During the reign of Queen Victoria . . . the British Empire included 25% of the world’s land and people. In Asia, Japan competed with European powers for colonies and trading opportunities in China.

8. American Imperialsim Most Americans gradually warmed to the idea of overseas expansion Three factors: Economic competition among industrial nations Political and military competition, including creation of a strong navy Belief in racial & cultural superiority of Anglo-Saxon people

9. American Imperialsim New military power Key advocate of U. S. military expansion: Capt. Alfred T. Mahan Nations with sea power were history’s great nations. To be great, the U. S. would need to become a sea power. Mahan argued for a strong U. S. navydefend peacetime shipping lanes crucial to U. S. economic growth.

10. American Imperialsim Mahan’s Principles (1890) U. S. needed strategically located refueling bases U. S. needed a modern fleet U. S. needed naval bases in the Caribbean Sea

11. American Imperialsim Mahan’s Principles (1890) U. S. needed to construct a canal across the Isthmus of Panama U. S. needed to acquire Hawaii and other Pacific islands

12. American Imperialsim New military power Between 1883 and 1890, U. S. built nine steel-hulled cruisers— the “A, B, C, D Ships” With construction of U. S. S. Maine and Oregon, U. S. became world’s third largest naval power

13. American Imperialsim Belief in Anglo-Saxon Superiority Many Americans combined philosophy of Social Darwinism with belief in racial superiority of Anglo-Saxons Shared European belief in “the white man’s burden”—must spread Christianity and “civilization” to world’s “inferior” peoples.

14. American Imperialsim James G. Blaine Secretary of State in 2 Republican administrations in 1880s Interest in South America Pan-American Conference –1889

15. American Imperialsim Cleveland Administration also interested In South Amer. Supported Venezuela in a border dispute with Great Britain over British Guiana

16. American Imperialsim U. S. Annexes Hawaiian Islands Hawaii had been economically important to the U. S. since 1790s Stopping point for merchants en route to Asia Missionaries since 1820s Later, sugar merchants

17. American Imperialsim U. S. Annexes Hawaiian Islands 1875—treaty: sale of Hawaiian sugar in U. S. without a duty 1887—U. S. business leaders in Hawaii forced King Kalakaua to change constitution: only wealthy landowners could vote. Next (1887) U. S. “persuaded” King Kalakaua to allow the U. S. toconstruct a navy base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu.

18. American Imperialsim U. S. Annexes Hawaiian Islands 1890—McKinley Tariff eliminated duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar Hawaiians faced competitionfrom Cuban sugar American planters in Hawaii called for U. S. annexation of Hawaii—so would not have duty

19. American Imperialsim Liliuokalani became queen when her brother, Kalakaua, died in 1891 Proposed a new constitution removing property qualifications for voting. American businessmen led a revolt backed by a U. S. warship.

20. American Imperialsim A volunteer army,backed by U. S. Marines,took over the government building;placed queen under house arrest. American businessman Sanford B. Dole(Dole Pineapple)proclaimed himself presidentof a provisional government

21. American Imperialsim President Grover Cleveland directed that Queen Liliuokalani be restored to throne Dole refused to yield power Cleveland unwilling to use force Recognized Republic of Hawaii; refused to annex

22. American Imperialsim William McKinley, a Republican, became President 1897. August 12, 1898— Congress proclaimed Hawaii a U. S. territory Hawaiians not given opportunity to vote on annexation.

23. American Imperialsim Samoa: 3000 miles south of Hawaii Way station for U. S. merchant ships 1878—Pres. Hayes treaty for navy station at Pago Pago ( U. S., U. K., Germany

24. The Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War centered around the island of Cuba Late 1800s, Cuba one of the few possessions of dwindling Spanish Empire.

25. The Spanish-American War Since 1850s, people in the U. S. had had an interest in Cuba. Spaniards tended to treat Cubans with cruelty. 1868-1878—unsuccessful war for independence. Did force Spaniards to end slavery on the island

26. The Spanish-American War Following emancipation of Cuba’s slaves in 1886, U. S. businesses invested heavily in sugar cane in Cuba. 1884, U. S. abolished the tariff on Cuban sugar—production soared. U. S. restored tariff 1894—Cuban economy ruined (Wilson-Gorman.)

27. The Spanish-American War 1895, Jose Marti launched second revolution against Spain. Guerrilla warfare “Cuba Libre!” American public opinion split. American business interests favored Spain to protect investments

28. The Spanish-American War 1896, Spain sent Valeriano Weyler to be new governor of Cuba. Weyler moved all of the rural population into concentration camps. During next two years, thousands died from hunger and disease.

29. The Spanish-American War Weyler’s actions fueled a news- paper war in the U. S. Joseph Pulitzer New York World William R. Hearst New York Journal

30. The Spanish-American War Engaged in Yellow Journalism— exaggerating legitimate reports of Cuban suffering to lure new readers. Hearst sent Frederick Remington, a famous artist, to illustrate stories. “You furnish the pictures, I’ll furnish the war”

31. The Spanish-American War President McKinley sought diplomatic solution. Some success February 1898, a Cuban rebel stole a letter written by Enrique Dupuy De Lome, the Spanish ambassador to the U. S. criticizing McKinley. Sent to/published by Hearst’s New York Journal.

32. The Spanish-American War Publication of de Lome letter caused American outrage toward Spain. McKinley responded by sending the U.S.S. Maine to Havana to protect American lives & property

33. The Spanish-American War February 15, 1898, explosion sent U.S.S. Maine to bottom of Havana Harbor. Hearst, et al inflamed the American people with the phrase, “Remember the Maine.” Even though Spain agreed to almost all American demands, Congress declared war on Spain on April 20, 1898.

34. The Spanish-American War First battle of the war took place in the Philippines.

35. The Spanish-American War Anticipating war with Spain, Undersecretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, ordered the U. S. Asiatic Fleet to sail for the Philippines in Feb. May 1, 1898, the fleet, under Admiral George Dewey, sunk the Spanish Pacific fleet in a few hours—no U. S. killed.

36. The Spanish-American War Commander of Spanish army force in Manila refused to surrender. Dewey blockaded the harbor and requested Army forces Army forces arrived late July (15,000 troops); linked with Philippine rebels under Emilio Aguinaldo

37. The Spanish-American War Spanish commander, when noting the superior rebel/ American force, agreed to surrender but wanted to do so with a “fight” to save face. American General Merritt agreed to stage a bloodshed-free battle. Aguinaldo’s rebels would not cooperate; actual battle with casualties on both sides before final Spanish surrender.

38. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Navy was strong and battle-ready. Army was poorly prepared Very small professional force 125,000 volunteers Poorly equipped, poorly led, limited transportation, inadequately trained.

39. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Rear Admiral William Sampson Commander of the U. S. North Atlantic Fleet, located a Spanish fleet in Santiago, Cuba, Harbor. Established a U. S. blockade

40. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Although the Army was not ready for battle, public opinion, due to Hearst’s and Pulitzer’s editorials, compelled McKinley to send the Army to Cuba. Sent V Corps under General William Shafter

41. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Deployment was a near disaster Only enough ships in Tampa, FL to move 17,000 of Shafter’s 80,000 person force No deployment plan--“catch as catch can” Disorganized loading in Tampa and off-loading on Daiquiri and Siboney beaches

42. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Terrible food: “embalmed beef” Wrong uniforms for the climate Not prepared for an amphibious landing—if Spanish had opposed, U. S. may have had to withdraw. Not prepared for jungle warfare Not prepared for insect-borne diseases native to tropics

43. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Shafter’s force consisted of regular troops, African-American Buffalo Soldiers (White officers), and volunteers under Colonel Leonard Wood. Despite the many problems, U. S. forces moved inland, June 23

44. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Most famous volunteer force: Rough Riders Led by Wood & Teddy Roosevelt

45. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba First skirmish: 24 June at Las Guasimas U. S. twice as many casualties as Spaniards Major battle: Battle of San Juan Heights—1 July 1898. Preceded by victory at El Caney.

46. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Kettle Hill San Juan Hill Rough Riders Buffalo Soldiers 9th & 10th Cavalry U. S. Regulars

47. The Spanish-American War The War in Cuba Costly American victory: 1,600 casualties. But, U. S. now had Santiago in danger. 3 July, Spanish governor ordered Spanish fleet to try to “run” the U. S. blockade. All Spanish ships sunk or beached; no U. S. ship damaged.

48. The Spanish-American War 17 July: Spanish surrendered Santiago, ending war in Cuba 25 July, U.S. force, under General Nelson Miles invaded Puerto Rico Little Spanish resistance; hostilities cease August 1898

49. The Spanish-American War August 12, 1898, the U. S. and Spain signed an armistice ending the war. Secretary of State John Hay: “A splendid little war.” Fighting: 16 weeks 300,000 Americans served; 5,400 died but only 460 in battle; the rest from disease and other causes.

50. The Spanish-American War Results of Dec. 10 Peace Treaty Cuba gained independence Spain gave U. S. Puerto Rico & Pacific island of Guam U. S. paid Spain $20 million to annex Philippine Islands Spanish-American war, plus the annexation of Hawaii, began the Age of U. S. Imperialism.