The Rise of U.S. Imperialism: From Reconstruction to the Spanish-American War (1880-1899)

1. Ch. 27: The Path to Empire U.S. Imperialism 1880-1899

2. I. In the years immediately following the Civil War, the U.S. was not interested in the rest of the world. It’s attention was held by the following: • Reconstruction- healing the wounds of war • Industry- feeding the economy via the Industrial Revolution • Improving the Cities- growing populations and challenges • Settling the West- spreading into the remainder of unsettled territory

3. But just as the century was coming to an end… • U.S. foreign policy began to emerge as industry and agriculture looked for new outlets and markets overseas. • Alred Thayer Mahan’s book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1753, argued that the control of the Sea was the key to world dominance. • America itself would become an imperial power (remember: imperialism is the willingness of a country to spread and create colonies globally), which was a huge departure from its anti-colonial traditions. • The major turning point which exemplified this change in thinking was… The Spanish American War in 1898!

4. III. But first, let’s talk about Hawaii! • Hawaii, which was annexed to the United States in 1898, touched off the first major imperialistic debate in American history. • We had missionaries in Hawaii since the 1820s. • Hawaii became a protectorate of the U.S. in 1849.

5. IV. American Business Interests in Hawaii • Sugar and shipping.

6. V. Hawaiian Annexation in 1898 • Despite most native Hawaiians opposing annexation, it became official in 1898. • This made those in the sugar and shipping businesses very happy.

7. VI. Meanwhile, in Cuba… • Cuban insurrectosburned sugar mills and cane fields to persuade Americans to help Cuba gain independence from Spain. • Americans wanted to help the Cubans because: • Outrage at Spanish reconcentration camps where over 10,000 Cubans died of starvation and disease. • Fears that Spanish misrule in Cuba could threaten trade routes in the West Indies. • Sympathy for patriots looking to gain freedom from Spain. • The printing of Spanish atrocities in “yellow press”

8. VII. Yellow Journalism • Yellow Journalism- exaggerated stories, featured sensationalistheadlineswhich encouraged American intervention in Cuba. • Hearst to Frederick Remington: “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war!” William Randolph Hearst Frederick Remington (painter) Joseph Pulitzer

9. VIII. Lead Up to the Spanish American War • January 1898: President McKinley sent battleship Maine to Havana, Cuba in case Americans needed evacuation. • February 1989: The New York Journal printed a letter from Enrique Dupuy de Lome(Spanish Ambassador to the U.S.) which described McKinley as “weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.” This was an insult, and upset the nation.

10. VIII. Lead Up to the Spanish American War • February 15, 1898: The USS Maineexplodes. Mine or accident? The people cry “Remember the Maine, and to Hell with Spain!” and move toward war.

11. IX. The Spanish American War • April 19, 1898: Congress declares Cuba independent which launches the nation into war with Spain. • “Splendid Little War” is fought on two fronts: Cuba and the Philippines (a Spanish colony at the time).

12. X. The Rough Riders • Theodore Roosevelt was Assistant Secretary of Navy under McKinley when the war began. • He resigned his position to fight with the “Rough Riders.” • Becomes a war hero at the Battle of San Juan Hill.

13. XI. Another Treaty of Paris • As a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the United States acquired: • Guam • Puerto Rico • The Philippines • Philippines became the most controversial, because it was considered hypocritical to take over a nation wanting independence, considering America’s revolutionary past. • Puerto Ricans immigrated to the U.S. around 1917 looking for employment in cities like New York.

14. Is McKinley to become a despot?

15. American “Sphere of Influence”