Imperialism

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Imperialism
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• Imperialismdominate country indirectly rules a
  weaker one.
• Imposes its will by working behind the scenes
  thru the natives. Gives a façade of
  independence.
• Reasons for
• 1. Economicsnatural resourcessugar in Hawaii.
• 2. Cheap labor
• 3. God/Christianity. Converts
• 4. Nationalism
• a. irrational love of ones country or
  extreme patriotism.
• b. coloniesprestige

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• 5. Social Darwinismsurvival of the fittest
  among humans.
• Herbert Spencer
• 6. Civilizing Mission
• a. blends the above.
• b. blessed with civilization and religion,
  so we must spread it.
• U.S. Expansion
• 1. U.S. wanted colonies and the prestige--like
  Europe.
• 2. Rebirth of Manifest Destinyfrontier is
  closed, look overseas.
• 3. Bought Alaska in 1867 for 7.2.
• 4. Attempted to annex Hawaii and Samoa.

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• Influence of Alfred Thayer Mahan and The
  Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1600-1783.
• 1. Strong navy projects strength and power
• 2. Strong navy gives
• a. colonies
• b. foreign commerce
• c. naval bases across the world
• 3. Followers included Theodore Roosevelt and
  Henry Cabot Lodge
• Spanish American War
• Effort by the U.S. to get colonies.
• Steal some from Spain.

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• Spain was weak and lost all colonies in Western
  Hemisphere except Cuba and Puerto Rico by 1830.
• Background
• 1. U.S. had mining and sugar interests in Cuba.
• 2. Cubans were revolting against Spanish.
• 3. Butcher Weylers atrocities.
• 4. Yellow Journalism
• a. fabricated/sensationalized events to
  start a war
• b. Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph
  Hearst

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• President McKinley
• entered office supporting Cuban independence.
• Did not want a war.
• Perceived as weak.
• Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge
• 4. De Lome letterthe Spanish foreign minister,
  said there would be no war because he was weak.

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• MaineFebruary 15, 1898
• 1. U.S. battleship exploded and sunk in Havana
  harbor.
• 2. Not enough evidence to assign blame, but
  yellow journalists do.
• McKinley now pressured to go to war.
• April 20, 1898, Congress endorses Cuban
  independence and use of armed forces.
• The War
• 1. George Dewey takes Manila on April 30.
• 2. Cuba
• a. major land action was July 1 at El Caney
  and San Juan Hill.
• Really Kettle Hill
• b. most troops died from disease
• c. Armistice signed on August 12, 1898
• 3. AcquisitionsCuba, Guam, Puerto Rico,
  Philippines

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• Reorganizing Cuba
• 1. Teller Amendmentattached to the war
  declaration and said Cuba will govern itself.
• 2. General Leonard Wood
• a. reorganize schools
• b. reorganize finances
• c. drafted a new constitution
• 3. Walter Reed got rid of yellow fever
• 4. Platt AmendmentAmerica did not want foreign
  activity in Cuba, and wanted the right to naval
  bases thereGuantomano Bay
• 5. U.S. left in 1903

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• Philippines
• 1. stiff resistance from the natives
• 2. guerilla warfare massacre and torture on
  both sides
• Anti-imperialists
• 1. imperialism is inconsistent with American
  ideals
• 2. liberate Cuba but annex the Philippines
• 3. Philippines would become an Achilles heel.

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• Imperialism in East Asia
• 1. China beaten by Japan in 1894-1895, which
  demonstrated its weakness. Spheres of influence
  created
• 2. Open Door PolicyJohn Hay
• a. Leave China open to trade with all
  countries
• b. Cant interfere with other countries
  spheres of influence
• 3. Boxer Rebellion (China)
• a. Boxers rebelled against foreigners,
  killing missionaries and families.
• b. defeated by a multinational force.
• c. China forced to pay reparations--11
  million to U.S.