Ch. 27: The Path to Empire

U.S. Imperialism 1880-1899Ch. 27: The Path to EmpireI. In the years immediately following the Civil War, the U.S. was not interested in the rest of the world. Its attention was held by the following:Reconstruction- healing the wounds of warIndustry- feeding the economy via the Industrial RevolutionImproving the Cities- growing populations and challengesSettling the West- spreading into the remainder of unsettled territoryBut just as the century was coming to an endU.S. foreign policy began to emerge as industry and agriculture looked for new outlets and markets overseas.Alred Thayer Mahans book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1753, argued that the control of the Sea was the key to world dominance.America itself would become an imperial power (remember: imperialism is the willingness of a country to spread and create colonies globally), which was a huge departure from its anti-colonial traditions.The major turning point which exemplified this change in thinking wasThe Spanish American War in 1898!III. But first, lets talk about Hawaii!Hawaii, which was annexed to the United States in 1898, touched off the first major imperialistic debate in American history.We had missionaries in Hawaii since the 1820s.Hawaii became a protectorate of the U.S. in 1849.

IV. American Business Interests in Hawaii

Sugar and shipping.V. Hawaiian Annexation in 1898Despite most native Hawaiians opposing annexation, it became official in 1898. This made those in the sugar and shipping businesses very happy.

VI. Meanwhile, in CubaCuban insurrectos burned sugar mills and cane fields to persuade Americans to help Cuba gain independence from Spain.Americans wanted to help the Cubans because:Outrage at Spanish reconcentration camps where over 10,000 Cubans died of starvation and disease.Fears that Spanish misrule in Cuba could threaten trade routes in the West Indies.Sympathy for patriots looking to gain freedom from Spain.The printing of Spanish atrocities in yellow press

VII. Yellow JournalismYellow Journalism- exaggerated stories, featured sensationalist headlines which encouraged American intervention in Cuba.Hearst to Frederick Remington: You furnish the pictures and Ill furnish the war!

Joseph PulitzerWilliam Randolph HearstFrederick Remington (painter)VIII. Lead Up to the Spanish American WarJanuary 1898: President McKinley sent battleship Maine to Havana, Cuba in case Americans needed evacuation.February 1989: The New York Journal printed a letter from Enrique Dupuy de Lome (Spanish Ambassador to the U.S.) which described McKinley as weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd. This was an insult, and upset the nation.

VIII. Lead Up to the Spanish American WarFebruary 15, 1898: The USS Maine explodes. Mine or accident? The people cry Remember the Maine, and to Hell with Spain! and move toward war.

IX. The Spanish American WarApril 19, 1898: Congress declares Cuba independent which launches the nation into war with Spain.Splendid Little War is fought on two fronts: Cuba and the Philippines (a Spanish colony at the time).

X. The Rough RidersTheodore Roosevelt was Assistant Secretary of Navy under McKinley when the war began.He resigned his position to fight with the Rough Riders.Becomes a war hero at the Battle of San Juan Hill.

XI. Another Treaty of ParisAs a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the United States acquired:GuamPuerto RicoThe PhilippinesPhilippines became the most controversial, because it was considered hypocritical to take over a nation wanting independence, considering Americas revolutionary past.Puerto Ricans immigrated to the U.S. around 1917 looking for employment in cities like New York.Is McKinley to become a despot?

American Sphere of Influence