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The U.S. Acquires Alaska
William Seward, Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. arranged for the U.S.A to buy Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million (about two cents per acre). He was shamed for his "dumb decision." -
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America's Desire for Military Strength, New Markets, and Their Belief that they were Better
Alfred T. Mahan believed that strong nations had even stronger Naval powers. Because of his pushing America had made 9 steel-hulled cruisers, and became the 3rd strongest Navy of the world. America was also making way too much for their country to consume, so their solution was to begin selling their products to other nations, as international trade was also their solution for unemployment. They also believed that Christianity was civilized and wanted to bring that to other peoples -
The Start of Global Competition
European nations had been establishing colonies and territories around the world. Africa was the largest target at the time, with only two independent countries, Ethiopia and Liberia. China had weakened so those European states and Japan wanted to set up colonies and gain land from China. These countries wanted new markets, military strength, and just believed they were superior to other peoples and cultures -
A Second Try at Independence
Martí organized Cuban resistance against Spain, using an active guerrilla campaign and deliberately destroying property, especially American-owned sugar mills and plantations. Public opinion in the United States was split. Many business people wanted the government to support Spain in order to protect their investments. Other Americans, however, were enthusiastic about the rebel cause. -
War Fever Escalates
Spain responded to the Cuban revolt by sending General Valeriano Weyler to Cuba to restore order. Weyler tried to crush the rebellion by herding the entire rural population of central and western Cuba into barbed wire concentration camps. Here civilians could not give aid to rebels. An estimated 300,000 Cubans filled these camps, where thousands died from hunger and disease. -
The U.S. Takes Hawai`i
Even before the idea of making Hawai`i a territory, Hawai`i was a self governing country lead by a monarchy. The cry for Hawai`i to become a part of the U.S. came from white sugar plantation owners so they could gain the same amount of money from before the McKinley Tariff Act. The U.S. Navy overthrew the queen at the time, and took control of Hawai`i. They used it as a landing and refueling hub after. -
The U.S.S Maine
More than 260 men were killed. At the time, no one really knew why the ship exploded. In 1898, however, American newspapers claimed the Spanish had blown up the ship. The Journal’s headline read “The warship Maine was split in two by an enemy’s secret infernal machine.” Hearst’s paper offered a reward of $50,000 for the capture of the Spaniards who supposedly had committed the outrage. -
The Spanish-American War
The Spanish thought the Americans would invade Cuba. But the first battle of the war took place in a Spanish colony on the other side of the world—the Philippine Islands. Commodore George Dewey gave the command to open fire on the Spanish fleet at Manila. Dewey’s men had destroyed every Spanish ship there. Dewey had the support of the Filipinos who also wanted freedom from Spain. In August, Spanish troops in Manila surrendered to the United States. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was a cease-fire agreement. The United States and Spain met in Paris to agree on a treaty. At the peace talks, Spain freed Cuba and turned over the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies to the United States. Spain also sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. -
Cuba and U.S Occupation
the U.S. recognized it's independence from Spain in 1898, and even created an Amendment saying it will never take over any part of Cuba, however Under American occupation, the same officials who had served Spain remained in office. Cubans who protested this policy were imprisoned or exiled. On the other hand, the American military government provided food and clothing for thousands of families, helped farmers put land back into cultivation, and organized elementary schools. -
America and Puerto Rico's Military Rule Problem
United States forces, under General Nelson A. Miles, occupied the island. General Miles issued a statement assuring Puerto Ricans that the Americans were there to “bring you protection, not only to yourselves but to your property, to promote your prosperity, and to bestow upon you the immunities and blessings of the liberal institutions of our government.” For the time being, Puerto Rico would be controlled by the military until Congress decided otherwise. -
The Philippian-American War
the Filipinos rose in revolt. The United States assumed almost the same role that Spain had played, imposing its authority on a colony that was fighting for freedom. When Aguinaldo turned to guerrilla tactics, the United States forced Filipinos to live in designated zones, where poor sanitation, starvation, and disease killed thousands. This was the very same practice that Americans had condemned Spain for using in Cuba. -
Puerto Rico's Almost Civil Government
In 1900, Congress passed the Foraker Act, which ended military rule and set up a civil government. The act gave the president of the United States the power to appoint Puerto Rico’s governor and members of the upper house. Puerto Ricans could elect only the members of the legislature’s lower house. Congress, however, retained the right to extend U.S. citizenship, and it granted that right to Puerto Ricans in 1917. It also gave them the right to elect both houses of their legislature. -
The Foreign Influence in China
U.S. imperialists saw the Philippines as a gateway to the rest of Asia, particularly to China. China was seen as a vast potential market for American products. Weakened by war and foreign intervention, China had become known as the “sick man of Asia.” France, Germany, Britain, Japan, and Russia had established prosperous settlements along the coast of China. They also had carved out spheres of influence, areas where each nation claimed special rights and economic privileges. -
Rebellion in China
Although China kept its freedom, Europeans dominated most of China’s large cities. Resentment simmered beneath the surface as some Chinese formed secret societies pledged to rid the country of “foreign devils.” The most famous of these secret groups were the Boxers, so named by Westerners because members practiced martial arts. Within two months, the international forces put down the Boxer Rebellion. Thousands of Chinese people died during the fighting. -
Protecting American RIghts?
After the Boxer Rebellion, the United States feared that European nations would use their victory to take even greater control of China. First, Americans believed that the growth of the U.S. economy depended on exports. Second, they felt the United States had a right to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets open. Third, they feared that the closing of an area to American products, citizens, or ideas threatened U.S. survival. -
The Platt Amendment
the United States insisted that Cuba add to its constitution several provisions, known as the Platt Amendment, stating that, Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any part of its territory, the United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba, Cuba was not to go into debt that its government could not repay , The United States could buy or lease land on the island for naval stations and refueling stations -
The Filipinos Rebel
In the Philippines, Filipinos reacted with outrage to the Treaty of Paris, which called for American annexation of the Philippines. The rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo believed that the United States had promised independence. When he and his followers learned the terms of the treaty, they vowed to fight for freedom. -
America Thinks of Business Once Again
The most important reason for the United States to maintain a strong political presence in Cuba was to protect American businesses that had invested in the island’s sugar, tobacco, and mining industries, as well as in its railroads and public utilities. Although many businesspeople were convinced that annexing and imposing colonial rule on new territories was necessary to protect American business interests, some were concerned about colonial entanglements. -
Roosevelt and His Foreign Policies
Roosevelt is responsible for mediating peace negotiations in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. He also gained the right to build and oversee the Panama Canal in 1901. He also had the saying "Speak softly and carry a big stick." -
Wilson's Excuse to Intervene in Mexico
The Mexicans quickly released them and apologized, but Wilson used the incident as an excuse to intervene in Mexico and ordered U.S. Marines to occupy Veracruz, an important Mexican port. Eighteen Americans and at least 200 Mexicans died during the invasion. The incident brought the United States and Mexico close to war. Argentina, Brazil, and Chile stepped in to mediate the conflict. They proposed that Huerta step down and that U.S. troops withdraw without paying Mexico for damages. -
Chasing Villa
President Wilson ordered Brigadier General John J. Pershing and an expeditionary force of about 15,000 soldiers into Mexico to capture Villa dead or alive. For almost a year, Villa eluded Pershing’s forces. Wilson then called out 150,000 National Guardsmen and stationed them along the Mexican border. In the meantime, Mexicans grew angrier over the U.S. invasion of their land. Carranza demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops, but Wilson refused. -
The Aftermath of the Philippian-American War
After suppressing the rebellion, the United States set up a government similar to the one it had established for Puerto Rico. The U.S. president would appoint a governor, who would then appoint the upper house of the legislature. Filipinos would elect the lower house. Under American rule, the Philippines moved gradually toward independence and finally became an independent republic