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America’s acquisition of Hawaii
-In 1867,the United States took over the Midway Islands, which lie in the Pacific Ocean about 1300 miles north of Hawaii.
-American-owned sugar plantations accounted for about three-quarters of the Hawaiian islands’ wealth.
- The McKinley Tariff of 1890 provoked a crisis by eliminating the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar.
-On August 12, 1898, Congress proclaimed Hawaii an American territory
-In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. -
America’s acquisition of Alaska
- William Seward, Secretary of State, was the lead supporter in this purchase. -The U.S. bought Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million. -Some people thought it was silly to buy what they called “Seward’s Icebox” or “Seward’s folly.” -In 1959, Alaska became a state. -For about two cents an acre, the United States had acquired many physical and economical resources.
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Reasons for the Growth of American Imperialism
-American leaders felt that the United States should join the imperialist powers of Europe and establish colonies overseas.
-In the19th century Africa was seen as a prime target of European expansionism.
-Three factors that fueled the new American imperialism were the desires for military strength, thirst for new markets, and belief in cultural superiority
-Imperialists viewed foreign trade as the solution to American overproduction and problems of unemployment and economic depression. -
The Spanish-American War
-By the end of the 19th century, Spain had lost most of its colonies.
-When the Cubans rebelled against Spain between 1868 and 1878, American sympathies went out to the Cuban people.
-In 1896, Spain responded to the Cuban revolt by sending General Valeriano Weyler to Cuba to restore order.
-Despite the Spanish concessions, public opinion favored war. On April 11, McKinley asked Congress for authority to use force against Spain. On, April 20, the United States declared war -
America and Cuba
-United States declared war against Spain in 1898,recognizing Cuba’s independence from Spain.
- The Teller Amendment, which stated that the United States had no intention of taking over any part of Cuba.
-Cuba was occupied by American troops when the war ended.
-Under American occupation, the same officials who had served Spain remained in office. Cubans who protested this policy were imprisoned or exiled.
-Platt Amendment, constitution for an independent Cuba. -
America and Puerto Rico
-Not all Puerto Ricans wanted independence.
- They wanted statehood, while some hoped for some measure of local self-government as an American territory.
-The United States gave Puerto Ricans no promises regarding independence after the war.
-Puerto Rico was important for maintaining a U.S. presence in the Caribbean and protecting a future canal.
-In 1900,The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution didn't automatically apply to people in acquired territories. -
America and the Philippines
-Filipinos reacted with outrage to the Treaty of Paris, which called for American annexation of the Philippines.
-In February 1899, the Filipinos, led by Aguinaldo, rose in revolt.
-It took the Americans nearly three years to put down the rebellion.
-The United States set up a government similar to the one it had established for Puerto Rico.
-Under American rule, the Philippines moved gradually toward independence. -
America and 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.”
-John Hay’s Open Door Notes, the notes were letters addressed to the leaders of imperialist nations proposing that the nations share their trading rights with the United States.
-This meant that no single nation would have a monopoly on trade with any part of China.
-It also presented American investors with new opportunities. -
Theodore Roosevelt and the World
-The assassination of William McKinley in 1901 thrust Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt into the role of a world leader.
-In 1905, building on the Open Door notes to increase American influence in East Asia, Roosevelt mediated a settlement in a war between Russia and Japan.
-Roosevelt persuaded Japan to accept half the island and forgo the cash payment.
-In exchange, Russia agreed to let Japan take over Russian interests in Manchuria and Korea.
-Roosevelt won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize -
Woodrow Wilson and the World
-In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson gave the Monroe Doctrine a moral tone.
-Wilson’s “missionary diplomacy,” said the United States had a moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government it viewed as oppressive, etc.
-The Roosevelt Corollary asserted, in 1904, that the United States had a right to exercise international police power in the Western Hemisphere.
-The Monroe Doctrine had warned other nations against expanding their influence in Latin America.