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Explore America’s journey towards becoming a world power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From early expansionism like the Louisiana Purchase to decisive actions in Cuba and the Philippines, witness the strategic moves and ambitions that shaped America’s role in the global context.
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18 Becoming a World Power
Becoming a World Power • Steps Toward Empire • Expansionism in the 1890s • War in Cuba and the Philippines • Theodore Roosevelt’s Energetic Diplomacy • Conclusion: The Responsibilities of Power
Steps Toward Empire • Monroe Doctrine still followed • Idea of America’s special role • Including the duty of proselytizing, crusading • Early Expansionism • Louisiana Purchase • Indian Removal • “Manifest Destiny”
Early Expansionism • Commodore Perry, Japan, 1853 • Secretary of State William Seward • Purchase of Alaska from Russia, 1867 • Pushed for annexation of Cuba • President Grant hopes to annex Santo Domingo • Strategic importance • But opposed by those for self-determination
Early Expansionism (cont'd) • Growing economic influence • Hawaii, sugar growers stage a coup • Grover Cleveland stops their action
The Global Context • Influence in China divided by foreign powers • Africa • Only two independent nations by 1900 • Powers can only gain territory through warfare • United States seeks hegemony in Latin America • But no mechanisms, no consistent policy
The Search for Markets • Turner thesis resonates with Americans • Businessmen shape foreign policy • Huge growth in manufacturing • Most going to Europe • Overseas investment grows
Rationale • Patriotism – trade and national well-being tied • Glory • Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge • Alfred Thayer Mahan – Darwinian approach • Piety • Overseas missions • 5,000 American missionaries in China in 1914
Rationale (cont'd) • Manipulating public opinion • Weakened confidence played on • Stir up feelings in support of Cubans, Filipinos
The Road to War • Cuba long coveted by U.S. • Spain seen as oppressive • Many genuinely concerned • But Cuba also convenient • 1898, Maine sent to Havana • Roosevelt prepares for war • Congress authorizes use of troops • Teller Amendment disavows territorial goals
War in Cuba and the Philippines:Spanish-American War • Easy naval victories for the U.S. • Guam and Puerto Rico easily taken • Roosevelt makes his reputation
Action in the Philippines • Admiral Dewey to Manila after sinking of Maine • President McKinley pushes for annexation • Treaty of Paris • Ratification hotly debated • Anti-Imperialist League • Some against the annexation on racist grounds
Action in the Philippines (cont'd) • Filipino-American War follows • Huge expense • Hypocrisy becomes apparent
Expansionism Triumphant • New territories had some independence • Governor of Philippines, Taft, pushes self-government • Some rights • Dissent ignored • Roosevelt becomes governor of New York
Theodore Roosevelt’s Diplomacy • Activist presidency, especially in foreign affairs • Idea of Darwinian struggle among nations • Nations either civilized or uncivilized • White man’s burden • Strong country’s bound to preserve world order
The Panama Canal • Use of Monroe Doctrine • Even before completion of canal • Panama achieves independence, 1903 • U.S. recognizes the new nation • But unilaterally claims Canal Zone • Panama protests
Policing the Caribbean • Monroe Doctrine seen as “open door” for U.S. • Cuba remains independent • Roosevelt Corollary, 1904 • Justification for American intervention • Applied in the Caribbean • American property protected with U.S. troops
United States Involvement in Central America and the Caribbean, 1898–1939
Open and Closed Doors • U.S. pushes for open door in China • Latecomer, and other powers established • Chinese seen as needing American help • Secretary of State Hay’s Open Door Notes • Demand for open door in China • Demand that China’s sovereignty be respected
Open and Closed Doors (cont'd) • Boxer Rebellion • Anti-foreign, anti-Manchu movement • Exclusionist immigration policy against Chinese
United States Involvement in the Pacific and Eastern Asia, 1898–1909
Balancing Japan • Japanese immigration increases around 1900 • Some from Hawaii • Some directly from Japan • Many very successful, especially as farmers • Nativist whites • “Yellow Peril”
Balancing Japan (cont'd) • Japanese expansionism worries Americans • Treaty of Portsmouth ends Russo-Japanese War • Root-Takahira Agreement, 1908 • Japan leaves U.S. in control of Philippines • U.S. recognizes Japan’s Asian territories
Preventing War in Europe • Roosevelt wary of power struggle in Europe • Two policies: • Friendship with Great Britain fundamental • Prevent war among powerful nations • Support for British imperialism • Britain seen as civilized • In order to check German power
Conclusion:The Responsibilities of Power • Theodore Roosevelt • Foreign policy more aggressive • U.S. as a global power • Influence in Central America, Caribbean • Open Door in Asia • Yet neutral regarding Europe • Developing conflict over global commitments