America as a World Power

1. America as aWorld Power 12.4.5

2. PANAMA CANAL • Many Americans felt that the US needed a canal cutting across Central America to reduce travel time for ships between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. • In 1903, the president and Congress decided to use a route through Panama and agreed to buy the land for $40 million.

3. PANAMA CANAL • Before beginning work on the Panama Canal, the US had to get permission from Colombia, which controlled Panama • When talks broke down the US helped organize a Panamanian rebellion against Colombia. • On November 3, 1903, nearly a dozen U.S. warships were present as Panama declared its independence

4. CONSTRUCTING THE CANAL • Builders fought diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria, and soft volcanic soil that proved difficult to remove from where it lay. • Work began in 1904 and by 1913, more than 43,400 workers were employed. • More than 5,600 workers on the canal died from accidents or disease. The total cost to the United States was about $380 million.

5. Legacy of the canal • U.S.-Latin American relations, had been damaged by American support of the rebellion in Panama. • The resulting ill will lasted for decades, despite Congress’s paying Colombia $25 million in 1921 to compensate the country for its lost territory.

6. THE ROOSEVELT COROLLARY • In 1823 President James Monroe issued The Monroe Doctrine which demanded that European countries stay out of the affairs of Latin American nations • In his December 1904 message to Congress, Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary tothe Monroe Doctrine.

7. THE ROOSEVELT COROLLARY • In effect, the corollary said that the US would now use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.

8. US Intervention in Nicaragua • The US exercised its power on several occasions. • A 1911 rebellion in Nicaragua left the nation near bankruptcy, US bankers loaned Nicaragua enough money to pay its debts. • In return, the bankers were given the right to collect Nicaragua’s customs duties. The U.S. bankers also gained control of the country’s railroad system and its national bank.

9. US intervention in Nicaraugua • When Nicaraguan citizens heard about this deal, they revolted against President Adolfo Díaz • To prop up Díaz’s government, 2,000 marines were sent to Nicaragua. • The revolt was put down, but some marine detachments remained in the country until 1933.

10. DOLLAR DIPLOMACY • The policy of using the U.S. government to guarantee loans made to foreign countries by US businesspeople was called dollar diplomacy • It was often used to justify keepingEuropean powers out of the Caribbean.

11. Assignment • 1. What benefits would the US have from the Panama Canal? • 2. How did the US obtain the land to build this canal from Colombia? • 3. Describe the working conditions and human cost of constructing the Panama Canal. • 4. Explain why the US intervened in Nicaragua? How did this affect the US’s relationship with Latin America? • 5. Explain the Roosevelt Corollary? Do you think the US had the right to intervene in the affairs of other nations?

12. 12.4.6 Mexican Revolution

13. US IMPERIALISM • The Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary stated that the US had a right to exercise international police power in the Western Hemisphere.

14. THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION • Mexico had been ruled by a military dictator, PorfirioDíaz. Diaz was friendly to US business interests • Americans, owned a large share of Mexican oil wells, mines, railroads, and ranches. • The common people of the country were desperately poor.

15. THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION • In 1911, Mexican peasants and workers overthrew Díaz. • The new leaders promised democratic reforms, but proved unable to satisfy the country’s many conflicting interests • After two years, General Victoriano Huerta took over but the US refused to recognize the government

16. INTERVENTION IN MEXICO • When Mexican officers arrested a small group of American sailors • The US used it as an excuse to occupy Veracruz, an important Mexican port • Eighteen Americans and at least 200 Mexicans died during the invasion.

17. INTERVENTION IN MEXICO • The US and Mexico nearly went to war but the Huerta regime soon collapsed • Venustiano Carranza became president and the US withdrew the troops and formally recognized his government

18. REBELLION IN MEXICO • Carranza was in charge, but he did not have the support of all Mexicans. • Rebels under the leadership of “Pancho” Villa and Emiliano Zapata opposed Carranza’s government

19. REBELLION IN MEXICO • In January 1916, Carranza invited American engineers to operate mines in northern Mexico. • Before they reached the mines, however, Villa’s men took the Americans off a train and shot them. • Two months later, some of Villa’s followers raided Columbus, New Mexico, and killed 17 Americans.

20. Chasing Villa • Americans held Villa responsible. • The US sent 15,000 soldiers into Mexico to capture Villa dead or alive

21. Tensions in Mexico • Mexicans grew angrier over the U.S. invasion of their land. In June 1916, U.S. troops clashed with their army • Carranza demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops, but the US refused. • War seemed imminent. However, in the end, both sides backed down.

22. Tensions in Mexico • The US, facing WWI in Europe, needed peace on its border. • In February 1917, US troops were ordered to return home • Later that year, Mexico adopted a constitution that gave the government control of the nation’s oil and mineral resources and placed strict regulations on foreign investors.

23. Assignment • In a two paragraph essay explain how the US was involved in imperialism. • Include the treatment of former Spanish colonies after the Spanish American War, open door policy in China and US intervention into Latin America. • Finally, explain the US motivation for pursuing an imperialist empire and whether or not you believe it to be justified.