American imperialism

American Imperialism

By Jesus Jauregui

  • Reasons for the Growth of American Imperialism (1800 - 1890)

    Reasons for the Growth of American Imperialism (1800 - 1890)
    European countries competed for control over territories in different parts of the world which cause the United States to promote imperialism.
    The three main reasons for the U.S. being an Empire were:
    - The desire for military Strength
    - Thirst for new markets
    - Belief in Cultural Superiority
    As a final result of these ideas, the United States began its journey as an Imperialist country acquiring, annexing, and purchasing land as it was with Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

  • America’s acquisition of Alaska (1867 - 1959)

    America’s acquisition of Alaska (1867 - 1959)
    The Secretary of State William Seward from 1861- 1869, convinced the House of Representatives to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million since it was hard for the Russians to defend this remote place. The US people called this idea "Seward's Folly" and "Seward's Icebox" but people were wrong until Americans discovered a lot of natural resources in Alaska such as timber, minerals, and oil. It only cost 2 cents an acre and then became the 49th state of the United States.

  • America’s Acquisition of Hawaii (1867 - 1959)

    America’s Acquisition of Hawaii (1867 - 1959)
    The Queen of Hawaii threatened to make Hawaii for Hawaiians and this caused white sugar plantation owners to fear that their lands and trade relations with the US would be broken. Then the McKinley Tariff of 1890 made plantation owners worry about their profits so they cried for the annexation of the Islands to the US. Military and economical leaders knew the Importance of the Island, President McKinley annexed Hawaii in 1898, and later on, became the 50th state of the US in 1959.

  • America and Cuba 1898 - 1903

    America and Cuba 1898 - 1903
    -When Cuba rebelled against Spain the US recognized Cuba as a country.
    -The US passed the Teller Act that showed that the US had no intentions to take over Cuba.
    -The Treaty of Paris signed Cuban independence from Spain.
    -Cubans believed that the US was going to rule over the island and they protested.
    -In 1900 Cuba signed its constitution but did not include relations with America.
    -The US responded with the Platt Amendment. It took control of Cuba's economy.
    -Cuba became an US protectorate

  • The Spanish - American War (April - December 1898)

    The Spanish - American War (April - December 1898)
    • America had economical interests in Cuba.
    • When Cuba rebelled against Spain the US came in to help the Cubans have their independence.
    • A letter was stolen from the Cuban post office where the Spanish Minister of the US was calling the President weak.
    • A ship was sent to Cuba to bring home and protect Americans but it blew up and Americans blamed it on the Spanish.
    • War broke out in 1898.
    • The US won the war and gave independence to Cuba and annexed Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

  • America and Puerto Rico (1898 - 1917)

    America and Puerto Rico (1898 - 1917)
    • The US acquired Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War.
    • Puerto Ricans were not agreed if they wanted to be a state or a self-country.
    • The Foraker Act ended up with military rule over the Island and the US set up a Civilian Government.
    • The US president gave the same rights to Puerto Ricans as Americans.
    • In 1917, Congress gave the right to Puerto Ricans to be American Citizens and they could now vote for both Houses.
    • Puerto Rico is still a territory of the US.

  • America and the Philippines (1899 - 1946)

    America and the Philippines (1899 - 1946)
    • The US annexed the Philippines when it signed the Treaty of Paris.
    • A rebellion in the Philippines broke out when the Filipinos learned the terms of the treaty.
    • Emiliano Aguinaldo Filipino rebel lead the rebellion using guerilla tactics making the US put Filipinos in designated areas.
    • White soldiers saw the Filipinos as inferior.
    • It took three years to cease the rebellion.
    • The US set up a Civilian Government.
    • And the Philippines became an independent nation on July 4, 1946.

  • America and China (1899 - 1902)

    America and China (1899 - 1902)
    • The US saw China as a potential market, but European and Asian nations controlled some parts of the nation.
    • The Secretary of State John Hay issued the Open Door Notes which proposed leaders of other nations share trading rights with the US and they accepted.
    • A Boxer Rebellion rose - Chinese who wanted China to be an independent Nation.
    • John Hay issued a second Open Door Note that prevented the European Nation to take control over American Businesses.

  • Theodore Roosevelt and the World (1901 - 1909)

    Theodore Roosevelt and the World (1901 - 1909)
    -Teddy Roosevelt became President after McKinley's assassination
    -He made Russia and Japan stop their conflict and made him earn a Nobel Peace Prize
    -Then he bought the idea to the French to build the Panama Canal to improve world trade
    -The US made Panama an independent nation from Colombia so the Canal could be built which damaged relations with Latin America
    -The Roosevelt Corollary prevented European Nations to Interfere in Latin America & his Dollar Diplomacy helped nations with their debts

  • Woodrow Wilson and the World (1913 - 1921)

    Woodrow Wilson and the World (1913 - 1921)
    • Issued Missionary Diplomacy which the US had the right to deny any Latin American government if it was oppressive, undemocratic, or threatened American interests
    • His policy was put to test during the Mexican Revolution.
    • He did not recognize three presidents and had to intervene in Mexico since rebellions were killing Americans, & The US was close to getting into a war against Mexico
    • Obregon ended Mexican Revolution and the US improved its Navy to protect its businesses in Latin America.