Your assignment/Homework:

• Find one person, topic, or event that you want to know more about from today’s lesson. • Look up info on that topic.

• Make some form of presentation with 5 pieces of information about that topic • We will start class tomorrow with everyone reading what they discovered.

“We assert that no nation can long endure half republic and half empire, and we warn the American people that imperialism abroad will lead quickly and inevitably to despotism at home” -Democratic National Platform (1900)

Becoming World Power 1890-1914

US Imperialism: Arguments for Expansion Expand business interests-US economy boomed. Companies built overseas factories. Need new markets to prevent financial panics.

Military interests–International competition for colonies would leave America behind. 1890 funding approved for 3 battleships (US becomes 2 ocean navy). International navy needs coaling ports.

Social Darwinism- US must expand to survive. Whites are superior race. Must spread superiority Spread Christianity-All nations should be Christian. Bring values to “backward” people American Frontier Closed - US pioneer spirit looks towards foreign interests. Expand or explode 4

The Cuban Revolt: America to the Rescue?

Cuba vs. Spain-Spanish rule oppressed the Cubans. Cubans revolt. Spain responds by sending General “Butcher” Weyler to crush the rebellion. Cuban rebels placed in concentration camps (many died due to poor sanitation). America Backs Cuba-Sentimental: Cuba was the underdog. Economic: American businesses traded $100 million/year. Political: Spain is a dying empire in America’s sphere of influence. Whoever controls Cuba controls a potential Panama Canal.

Yellow Journalism-Hearst vs. Pulitzer. Each reported on the atrocities in Cuba. Sensationalized news equals more readers. Hearst printed the De Lome Letter (Spanish letter calling President McKinley weak and a puppet).

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The U.S.S. Maine Explosion and War The USS Maine-US battleship sent to Cuba to protect and evacuate Americans if rebellion intensified. On 2/15/1898 the Maine exploded in Havana harbor (260 sailors killed). “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain.” Results-Two investigations. Spanish: Explosion was accidental and internal (not confirmed until 1976 US Navy investigation). American: Explosion caused by Spanish mine. The American public is ready for war!

McKinley and War-President McKinley was conflicted. He didn’t want a war, yet he didn’t want Spain to control Cuba. McKinley eventually yields to public and US business pressure. The US declared war on Spain (4/11/1898). 6

The Spanish-American War The Philippines-Admiral Dewey told to attack the Spanish fleet in the event of war. 5/1/1898 Dewey’s surprise attack defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. 8/13/1898 American troops with Filipino insurgents led by Emilio Aguinaldo capture Manila (America will regret asking Aguinaldo for help) 7 Cuba-Decisive battle at Santiago. 7/1/1898 Rough Riders (supported by 2 black regiments) fight at San Juan and Kettle Hills. 7/3/1898 the Spanish, trapped by US naval blockade and US Army, Spain surrendered.

Results-Few casualties (400 to bullets; 5,000 to malaria, typhoid fever, dysentery). War only lasted 113 days. America gained respect and prestige. Closed the North-South divide. US gained an empire that they couldn’t defend (Philippines in WWII).

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Spanish American War Recap

In 1898 the United States declared war against Spain in what was called the Spanish American war • - John Hay called it that "splendid little war". When Spain surrendered its remaining possessions in the Western hemisphere to the United States, the young nation joined the European powers as an imperialist nation. • On December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed by Spain and the United States. Under this treaty, Spain recognized the independence of Cuba; ceded Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the United States. The Philippines presented a problem.

America and the Philippines: $20 Million for a Rebellion?

What to do with the Philippines - 3 options. 1. Give the islands back to Spain (misrule). 2. Leave the islands and not give them any help (irresponsible and Germany or Japan would seize them resulting in another war). 3. US annexation. McKinley opted for annexation (US Senate approved the treaty by one vote) 9

• The United States negotiated the surrender of the Philippines for a payment of $20 million dollars to Spain.

• However, the Filipinos did not recognize any American right of possession and were prepared to fight for their freedom. It took three years for America to win the Philippine-American war.

• It cost the Americans 6,000 casualties and $600 million. 12,000 Philippine soldiers were killed, and about 200,000 civilians died of pestilence, disease, and war related incidences. 10

Bitterness and Rebellion-Filipinos wanted

independence. 2/4/1899 Emilio Aguinaldo led insurrection against the US. US responded by sending 126,000 troops. Both sides commit atrocities such as water boarding and reconcentration camps.

Results-Fighting lasts until 1902. 4,234

Americans killed, many others died of diseases on the tropical islands. 200,000 Filipinos killed counting civilian deaths. Philippines not granted independence until July 4, 1946.

Philippine American War Recap

In the United States public opinion was divided over the annexation of the Philippines. Many felt it was important to keep the Philippines so that America might "civilize" them. Others argued that imperialism was inconsistent with the American system of government and Americans' fundamental belief in self-

• American operations into the countryside often included scorched earth campaigns in which entire villages were destroyed; the use of torture including the water cure (water boarding); and the concentration of civilians into "protected zones".

• In November 1901, the Manila correspondent of the

Philadelphia Ledger

wrote:

"The present war is no bloodless, opera bouffe engagement; our men have been relentless, have killed to exterminate men, women, children, prisoners and captives, active insurgents and suspected people from lads of ten up, the idea prevailing that the Filipino as such was little better than a dog..."

• A soldier from New York wrote to his family:

"The town of Titatia was surrendered to us a few days ago, and two companies occupy the same. Last night one of our boys was found shot and his stomach cut open. Immediately orders were received from General Wheaton to burn the town and kill every native in sight; which was done to a finish. About 1,000 men, women and children were reported killed. I am probably growing hard hearted, for I am in my glory when I can sight my gun on some dark skin and pull the trigger."

• Corporal Sam Gillis: "We make everyone get

into his house by seven p.m., and we only tell a man once. If he refuses we shoot him. We killed over 300 natives the first night. They tried to set the town on fire. If they fire a shot from the house we burn the house down and every house near it, and shoot the natives, so they are pretty quiet in town now."

“Kill everyone over ten”

At the bottom: “Criminals because they were born ten years before we took the Philippines”

American units were segregated

Ready to go back home

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The Anti-Imperialist League

Background-Most of America were part of the contiguous United States (minus Alaska and Hawaii). The Philippines were a distant tropical island chain with a different culture. Main goal of the Anti Imperialist League was to fight the McKinley administration’s expansionist policies. Prominent leaders included Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie.

Anti-Imperialist Objections-

Declaration of Independence and the Constitution state it is the right of the people to choose their form of government. Imperialism was against America’s anti-colonial policy. Imperialism would be too costly.

Filipino war dead (photo National Archives)

"You seem to have about finished your work of civilizing the Filipinos. About 8,000 of them have been civilized and sent to Heaven. I hope you like it.”

-

Andrew Carnegie, American industrialist and anti-imperialist, 1899

Global Imperialism: everyone else is doing it…

Mark Twain Home, An Anti-Imperialist, New York Herald [New York, 10/15/1900]

I left these shores, at Vancouver, a red-hot imperialist. I wanted the American eagle to go screaming into the Pacific. It seemed tiresome and tame for it to content itself with the Rockies. Why not spread its wings over the Philippines, I asked myself? And I thought it would be a real good thing to do.

I said to myself, here are a people who have suffered for three centuries. We can make them as free as ourselves, give them a government and country of their own, put a miniature of the American constitution afloat in the Pacific, start a brand new republic to take its place among the free nations of the world. It seemed to me a great task to which we had addressed ourselves.

But I have thought some more, since then, and I have read carefully the Treaty of Paris, and I have seen that we do not intend to free, but to subjugate the people of the Philippines. We have gone there to conquer, not to redeem.

We have also pledged the power of this country to maintain and protect the abominable system established in the Philippines by the Friars.

It should, it seems to me, be our pleasure and duty to make those people free, and let them deal with their own domestic questions in their own way. And so I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land.

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America in Asia: China and the Open Door

Open Door Policy

-China is a weak country in the 1890s. European powers had basically spit China into spheres of influence. (1899) Secretary of State John Hay urged European leaders respect Chinese rights and fair competition (this is the Open Door) Results-Gave all nations equal trading access in China. Guaranteed that China would not be taken over by a foreign power.

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Boxer Rebellion

-(1900) Super patriotic group of Chinese trained in martial arts murdered foreigners and Christians. A multinational force (including American soldiers) stopped the rebellion.

Homework Assignment

Pick any topic covered today that you would like to know more about. Look it up tonight and give me 5 sentences of information about it

tomorrow

.

We will start class by reading these aloud to everyone.

In case you missed it… 5 sentences… any topic from today… due tomorrow at the start of class.

United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914

American Power: Building the Panama Canal Background-US needs a two ocean navy to protect interests. Spanish-American war demonstrated the lack of mobility. Rights to the Canal-Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901). Authorized the US to construct and manage a Central American canal. The canal was to be open to all nations and rates to be fair and equal. (1902) Congress chose the Panama route. Revolution-Panama was part of Colombia. Colombia rejected $10 million and $250,000/year. (1903) the US navy supported Panamanian revolt. US recognized independent Panama 3 days after revolt. Construction-(1904-1914). Cost $400 million. Problems with labor, landslides, and disease.

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United States Foreign Policy 1890-1914

Theodore Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy: Carry a Big Stick Roosevelt Corollary-Preventative intervention. US would intervene in Latin America to keep European powers out of the Western Hemisphere.

Corollary Results-Used to justify all interventions. US Marines will be sent multiple times to Latin American countries. Latin American countries views this as American oppression. Roosevelt in Action-Roosevelt was not afraid to flex American muscle. Roosevelt acted as mediator in Russo-Japanese War (won Nobel Peace Prize in 1906). Sent the US Navy to protect the Panamanian revolt (1903). (1907) ordered the Great White Fleet on highly visible voyage around the world (show off American naval power). 35

American Empire: Did the Constitution Follow the Flag?

Puerto Rico-Ceded to the US as payment for war costs. Foraker Act (1900) granted Puerto Rico limited government. American citizenship granted (1917). Still a US possession (neither a state nor a territory). Cuba-Teller Amendment (1898) promised Cuban independence. However US didn’t want Cuba taken over by Germany or other imperial power. Platt Amendment (1901) US could intervene to preserve Cuban independence. US kept land for a naval base (Guantanamo Bay) Hawaii- (1893) first attempt at annexation. First full-fledged imperialistic debate. Halfway to the Philippines. Fear of Japanese takeover while the US was busy with Spain. Annexed 7/7/1898. Full territorial status (1900). 36