The US as a World Power

Unit 10

Ms. Rybak

Imperialism

Powerful nations taking over weaker regions in order to create conditions that benefit the powerful nation in some way – usually economically

– ie: American colonies, British control in India, etc.

Reasons for US Imperialism

Economic– To get raw materials for industry – To create new markets for industrial products

(industrialism imperialism)

Reasons for US Imperialism

National/Political– Naval bases were needed for an expanding

navy – sent to protect US trade interests – Expansion of Manifest Destiny – many felt it

was in America’s interest to continue expanding past the western frontier – to include expansion across oceans as well

Reasons for US Imperialism

Social– Social Darwinism – many felt that Americans

were obligated to spread “American” society – or that it was better so we should dominate others

– Missionary Spirit – the urge to spread Christianity (and a more “civilized” society) to others – especially China – went along with the ideas of Manifest Destiny and Social Darwinism

Reasons for US Imperialism

Opposition

– Many Americans, including prominent reformers, opposed US imperialism

– They felt it went against the American ideals of human equality and self-government

Early Events of US Imperialism

Opening of Japan– Commodore Matthew Perry negotiated a treaty

with Japan to open two ports to US Ships– Japan used this connection to expand

industrially and militarily over the next decades

Early Events of US Imperialism

Open Door Policy/Boxer Rebellion– US urged European nations to allow for an

“open door” when considering outsiders trading with China

– The influx of foreigners angered many Chinese– Chinese citizens known as “boxers” attacked

foreigners in China– Foreign armies, including American, came to

the defense of their citizens and defeated the Boxers

Early Events of US Imperialism Hawaii

– American missionaries first arrived – later others came to dominate the economy there (pineapples, sugar, coffee)

– The sugar boom really attracted more Americans in the 1880’s

– US built a naval base at Pearl Harbor– US annexed Hawaii in 1898

Early Events of US Imperialism

Samoa– US established a naval base there – which it

split with Germany and Great Britain– Later, Germany and the US divided the island

The Spanish-American War

(Took place in Cuba!) Causes: The US became involved in Cuba

for many reasons:– Americans saw opportunity for economic

advancement– Americans wanted to “save” Cubans from

Spain

The Spanish-American War

Immediate Causes– Yellow Journalism – newspapers wrote

sensational stories, not necessarily true, in order to sell more papers. Cuba was at the center of all of this

– Sinking of the Maine – the US warship the USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana, Cuba. The public blamed Spain, though this accusation was never proven

The Spanish-American War

The War (1898)– Just 4 months long– The US wins

The Result– Cuba gains independence– US gained control of the Philippines, Guam,

and Puerto Rico– US became recognized as a world power

Government Overseas Territory Policies

Territories: Gaining new lands was a controversial idea. Many Americans thought it was America’s destiny – others wanted to focus attention on issues at home (remember – Progressive Movement!)

Government Policies Cuba

– Platt Amendment: Gave the US the right to approve Cuban treaties, have naval bases in Cuba and intervene to keep peace

Philippines– Taken after the Spanish American war, first had to stop

rebellion by Filipino people

– US granted independence in 1946

Puerto Rico– Acquired from Spain after the Spanish-American War

– The Foraker Act made it a US territory

– Governs itself independently still today

Latin America

The Monroe Doctrine (think back!!)– Policy since 1823 that warned outside nations

from getting involved in the Western Hemisphere

– Seldom an issue until the 20th century

Latin America

The Roosevelt Corollary– An interpretation by President Theodore

Roosevelt of the Monroe Doctrine– He said the Monroe Doctrine required the US to

act as an “international police power” in Latin America

– This was over issues in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic

Latin America

“Big Stick” Policy– From Roosevelt’s famous quotation that the US

would “speak softly and carry a big stick” when considering issues in Latin America

– This meant they would use diplomacy, but would consider military means to solve issues if necessary

Latin America

Great White Fleet– To demonstrate US naval capabilities to the

nation and the world– Roosevelt sent 16 battleships and their escorts

on a round trip of the world

Latin America Panama Canal

– US negotiated the right to build a canal to shorten the sea route to the Pacific

– Signed a 99 year lease with the nation of Panama to operate the canal

– The canal was turned over to Panama in 1999

World War 1

1914-1918

Europe’s War Increased industrialization and militarism raised

feelings of nationalism and created a state of tension between European nations

Military alliances between nations set up opposing sides for a face down over the continent’s balance of power

The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria was the spark that started the war

The “Central Powers” led by Germany and Austria-Hungary vs. the “Allies” led by Great Britain and France

America Stays Out

President Wilson– Publicly presented a face of “neutrality”– Privately supported the “allies” by providing

supplies and weapons – believed the US needed to be involved in order to participate in post-war events

Anti-War Movement– Many Americans supported “isolationism” –

wanting the US to stay out of Europe’s issues– Others, simply were against US involvement in

a war of any kind

America Stays Out

Pressure from European-Americans:– German-Americans wanted the US to support

the Central Powers– The Anglo-Americans wanted the US to

support the allies

America Joins the War - Reasons

Submarines/Lusitania :– Germany’s “unrestricted” submarine warfare

angered many Americans– The sinking of the British ship, the Lusitania,

with American citizens aboard, really angered Americans

– This was the main reason that the US decided to go to war against Germany

America Joins the War - Reasons

British (French) Tradition:– The ties Americans had to the culture of GB ad

the previous role of the French in America’s history, had a strong influence on which side the US chose to join

Russian Revolution:– The overthrow of the Czar (Nicholas) in Russia

looked like a democratic movement – making Americans think they were joining an alliance of democratic nations

America Joins the War - Reasons

Zimmerman Telegram– The German foreign minister sent a telegram to

Mexico urging them to join Germany against the US in return for lands lost to the US

– The telegram was intercepted by the US and made public – this turned many Americans against Germany because of the sneaky approach

America’s Role in the War

Selective Service– The Selective Service Act provided for a

military draft of men– All men between the ages of 18 and 45 had to

register– Challenged – but upheld – by the Supreme

Court

Doughboys– Nickname given to American soldiers in WW1

America’s Role in the War

Modernization of War– The industrial revolution had created military weapons

that had outgrown the military strategies of the time

– Machine guns, U-Boats, artillery, poison gas, airplanes, tanks

Turning Point– Russia’s surrender seemed to help the Central Powers

– America’s involvement helped the Allies

– Battle of Argonne Forest marked the beginning of the end for Germany and the Central Powers

Wartime Constitutional Issues

Schenck v. United States (1914)– Concerned freedom of speech– Supreme court ruled that freedom of speech

could be restricted in times of war – if words presented a danger to the society

Post World War 1 Wilson’s Fourteen Points Plan

– The Name of President Wilson’s peace plan for after WW1

– His ideas included:• Open diplomacy between nations (no secrets)

• Self-determination – let national groups make their own political decisions

• Control of the arms race

• Freedom of the seas and removal of trade barriers

– His ideas were mostly ignored at the Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles Reparations

– Against Wilson’s plan, other allied nations wanted the losers of the war to pay nearly $56 billion

League of Nations– Though many of Wilson’s ideas were not implemented,

he was happy that an organization of nations was created to try to prevent another world war from ever taking place

Rejection– The Republican controlled Senate repeatedly defeated

accepting the Treaty of Versailles, including having the US join the League of Nations

Return to Isolationism Rejection of the League of Nations

– A sign hat Americans wanted to return to the policy of isolationism – stay out of Europe

Washington Naval Disarmament Conference– US, GB, and Japan agreed to reduce their

navies and stop construction of battleships Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)

– US and France agree to renounce aggression and outlaw war

Why could this stage of US imperialism be labeled a 2nd stage of Manifest Destiny? Because the US expanded past the

established borders of the nation

– Alaska, Hawaii acquisitions– Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam – Spanish

American War

What ideals made Americans feel they had the right to take over and dominate lands?

Social Darwinism and Missionary Spirit – Americans felt they needed to spread the ideals of capitalism and Christian values

Manifest Destiny – the American tradition of expansion and adventure

How can it be argued that American’s involvement in WW1 – had more of an impact on each citizen’s home life in America – that on the fighting aspect of a war abroad? America came in late The fighting experience had minimal influence on

American Society The sacrifices and commitments of citizens at

home affected society even after the war Citizenship issues came to the surface and were

dealt with