Late 19th Century US Imperialism: Spread and Goals
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Presentation Transcript
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
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
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
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
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”
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
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
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
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
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”
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!
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
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
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