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Late 19th Century US Imperialism: Spread and Goals

This chapter explores the late 19th century US imperialism, focusing on the spread of US economic, political, and military control over weaker nations. It examines the prime targets of Africa and Asia, as well as the causes and outcomes of US involvement in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Spanish-American War.

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Late 19th Century US Imperialism: Spread and Goals

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  1. Chapter 18.1-.2 Notes

  2. Imperialism • Late 1880’s US big business men felt US should join other nations of Europe and establish overseas colonies. • Similar to Manifest Destiny • Imperialism: policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations

  3. Spread and Goals • Africa prime target for European nations • By 20th century only Ethiopia and Liberia were free • Asia becomes next focus • Causes of Imperialism: • Desire for military strength • Desire for new markets • Desire for cultural superiority

  4. Military Strength • US decides to build up military presence around world because other nations are doing so • Alfred T. Mahan: US Navy leader who believed that US had to build up navy to compete with other nations • US does this and becomes 3rd largest naval power

  5. New Markets and Cultural Superiority • Americans are making more products (big business) and want to have more people to sell products to so profits can increase • Social Darwinism, racism, and desire to spread American beliefs (including Christianity) fuel Imperialism

  6. Seward’s Folly • 1867: William Seward (Sec of State) arranges for US to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million • Many in government thought this was useless land and a waste of $$$ • “Seward’s Icebox”

  7. Hawaii • 1867 US buys Midway Islands in the Pacific (1300 miles north Hawaii), nothing there • Since 1790’s US had used Hawaiian islands as trading post and stopping point in trade with China • 1800s set up sugar plantations • By mid-1800’s US sugar plantations make up most of islands wealth and these owners want the US to annex Hawaii

  8. US takes Hawaii--stop • Since 1875 US able to import sugar from Hawaii without a tax, in 1890 McKinley Tariff ends this • US sugar growers in Hawaii now have competition with US sugar growers (not happy) • Suggest annexation so don’t have extra tax • 1887 US builds naval base at Pearl Harbor • 1887 King Kalakau grants voting rights only to wealthy land owners • 1891, Queen Liliuokalani tries to get rid US business men • US business and gov’t incite a revolution, Queen Lil kicked off throne, Sanford B. Dole put in charge • Cleveland hesitant to annex, but Mckinley isn't • 1898 Hawaii annexed by US

  9. Spain, Cuba, and the US • Late 1800s Spain is a declining power, lost most of its colonies • US has long been interested in Cuba (owned by Spain), tried to buy it several times, Spain said NO! • 1868, 1878 Cuba rebels against Spain (US encourages this) • 1886 Slavery ended in Cuba, US sets up sugar cane plantations

  10. Causes of Spanish-American War • 1895 Second Cuban fight for Independence • Spain sends General Valerian Weyler to restore order • Does so violently (puts citizens in concentration camps) • Americans shocked by his brutality • Yellow Journalism: • Pulitzer and Hearst have their newspapers cover this story, VERY exaggerated • Causes lots of US sympathy for Cuba

  11. Causes of War • When McKinley takes office many cries for War with Spain, McKinley tries to talk it out, gets Weyler sent out of Cuba, BUT….. • Feb 1898 NY Journal publishes letter from Spanish ambassador to the US (Enrique Dupuy De Lome) in which he calls McKinley weak and other bad names • US mad, Spain apologizes • “De Lome Letter”

  12. Causes of War • USS Maine (US ship stationed in waters outside Cuba) • Feb 15, 1898 ship blows up, killing more than 260 • US blames Spain • “Remember the Maine” • US ready for War!

  13. The War! • April 9, 1898 Spain agrees to all US demands, US says “we don’t care” • April 20, 1898 US declares War on Spain • US first invades Philippines (islands in Pacific that Spain owns) • George Dewey leads attack • Aug 1898 US wins Philippines

  14. The War! • June 1898 US troops land in Cuba • 17,000 troops (including the “Rough Riders” team led by soon to be President TR) • July 1, 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill (major land battle of war) aid US in winning war • Aug 12, 1898, cease fire

  15. Treaty of Paris 1898 • Treaty of Paris 1898 • Cuba is free • US gets Guam • US gets Puerto Rico • US pays $20 million for the Philippines

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