Chapter 20The United States Looks

Overseas

End of the Open RangeFrederick Jackson TurnerTurner is remembered for his "Frontier Thesis", which he first published July 12, 1893, in a paper read in Chicago to the American Historical Association during the Chicago World's Fair. In it, he stated that the spirit and success of the United States is directly tied to the country's westward expansion. In other words, America’s greatness lies in it’s abilities to confront and conquer new frontiers. Now that a continent has been conquered by 1890, where are there new frontiers to conquer?

A World Power

The ambition of Manifest Destiny in the 1840’s combined with the colossal industrial expansion after the Civil War has brought the United States, by 1890, to the point where competing on a global stage with other world powers is the next frontier.

ImperialismImperialism is the economic, political and military domination of an area by an industrial power. Countries such as England, Germany, France and Spain are furthering their interests overseas by seeking more raw materials to fuel their industries, creating colonies and opening new markets for their goods. The United States wishes to join these countries and participate in the new age of imperialism.

ImperialismBy 1890, the United States has created an enormous industrial system that is fueled by an abundance of natural resources and a virtually unlimited supply of labor. Pro-imperialists believe the U.S. must become a participant in imperialism for the following reasons:

Imperialism1.) The need to compete economically

with other industrialized nations and open new markets for American goods.

2.) The need to compete politically or perhaps militarily to prevent other industrialized nations from seizing all new markets.

3.) A belief in the racial and cultural superiority of Anglo-Saxons.

OppositionThere was opposition to American imperialism

within the United States. Those who were anti-imperialism held the following positions:

1.) Imperialism was against the basic principles of the United States.

2.) New markets and/or areas of attempted American domination may be too far away to effectively control and could wind up costing more than they are worth.

3.) If the U.S. attempts to establish a presence in the Pacific, a conflict with Japan may eventually occur.

If the United States wishes to become an imperialistic nation, and it does, there are several questions to be answered.

How do this get accomplished?Where will new markets open?

Where will additional natural resources be found?

Will there be conflict?With who?

Admiral Alfred T. Mahan was president of the Naval War College and author of “Influence of Sea Power on History 1660-1783”. He was also a leading proponent of American imperialism. Mahan outlined a four point plan which needed to be accomplished for the United States to compete successfully with other world powers.

Mahan’s Four Points

1.) Build a strong naval fleet

2.) Establish naval bases in the Caribbean Sea

3.) Construct a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

4.) Acquire Hawaii

Strong Naval Fleet

After the Civil War, Congress was involved with the financial affairs of Reconstruction, railroads and westward expansion. Consequently, the Navy, which was #1 in the world in 1865, had slipped to #12 by 1880. The general feeling was that there were no imminent conflicts threatening the United States and with two large oceans for protection, why spend money unnecessarily on the Navy?

Strong Naval FleetBetween 1883 and 1890, the United States built 9 steel battleships among which were the USS Indiana, USS Oregon, USS Massachusetts and the USS Maine. The U.S. Navy was once again a world class fleet which would only become larger.

Establish Naval Bases in the Caribbean

In 1898, the United States Navy established itself on the southeastern end of Cuba at Guantanamo Bay. The Naval Base at Guantanamo is still in existence.

Why would the United States need a naval base in the Caribbean for successful participation in imperialism?

Build a CanalAccording to Mahan, a successful imperialistic policy requires a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Why?

Acquire Hawaii

What would be the purpose in acquiring the Hawaiian Islands?

1.) Military presence in the Pacific Ocean2.) Refueling station for Pacific crossings3.) Business interests on the islands

Hawaiian/American Relations

By the middle of the 19th century, American business interests controlled 75% of Hawaiian sugar plantations. In 1891, the King, favorable to American business, dies. Queen Liliuokalani wishes to restore power back to Hawaiians which would hurt American business.

In 1898 with the aid of military forces, the United States annexes Hawaii as a territory.

Cuba RevoltsCuban revolutionaries, led by Jose Marti, revolt against Spanish authority. He hoped to persuade America to intervene on behalf of the revolutionaries.

Yellow Journalism

William Randolph Hearst was the owner of the New York Journal and a leading supporter of American imperialism. His paper presented articles and cartoons exaggerating the treatment of the Cuban revolutionaries by the Spanish in the hope of U.S. military intervention leading to war and to sell newspapers. His competitor, Joseph Pulitzer, owner of the New York World, fought back with stories which were exaggerated even greater.

U.S.S. Maine

On February 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine was docked in Havana Harbor for the purposes of keeping order, if necessary. An explosion on board destroyed the ship and killed 266 American sailors. Spain was immediately blamed for the attack but claimed they were not involved. The United States offered Spain the opportunity to apologize and settle the matter diplomatically but Spain, again claiming innocence, refused.

The Spanish American War 1898

On April 11, 1898, President McKinley goes before Congress and asks for a declaration of war against Spain. On April 20, Congress declares war on Spain. The Spanish American War begins.

The Spanish American War 1898

On May 1st, Admiral Dewey sails into Manila Bay and destroys the entire Spanish fleet in just a matter of hours. The Spanish suffer 384 casualties as opposed to the loss of one American sailor. American ground forces join with Filipino rebels to defeat Spanish troops. Spain surrenders by August of 1898.

The Spanish American War 1898

While the American Navy battled the Spanish in the Philippines, the Army would lead the fight in Cuba. After a confused and unorganized start, the U.S. Army, joined by Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, spent the summer of 1898 battling the Spanish. After 16 weeks of fighting, the war is over.

The Treaty of Paris After a swift and decisive Americanvictory, the United States and Spain sign theTreaty of Paris in December of 1898.

- Cuba would be independent- U.S. acquires Puerto Rico and Guam- U.S. pays Spain $20 million for the

Philippines

The United States is now in the imperialism business!

Open Door PolicyBy 1900, the 250 year old Manchu Dynasty was crumbling and European powers were carving up China into “spheres of influence”. Feeling left out, Secretary of State, John Hay, issues the Open Door Notes to foreign powers and takes their vague responses as being affirmative. Thus, on March 20, 1900, the United States issues the Open Door Policy.

1.) The growth of the U.S. economy depends on exports.

2.) The U.S. has the right to intervene to keep foreign markets open.

3.) The closing of a market threatens U.S. survival.

Boxer Rebellion

In 1900, the Chinese rebel against foreign intervention. The “Harmonious Righteous Fists” or Boxers tried to remove foreign nations from their soil. U.S. troops and troops from other nations put down the Boxer Rebellion.

Problems in the Philippines

The Filipino rebel leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, believed the Americans were helping to fight for the independence of the Philippines.

Problems in the Philippines..

He led the Filipino troops to fight against American control. The resulting Philippine-American War lasted for three years. Ultimately, the United States won but at what cost?The casualties included 24,000 Filipino troops and 4,000 American troops at a cost to the United States of $400 million dollars.

What were the anti-imperialists thinking now?

Open Door PolicyBy 1900, the 250 year old Manchu Dynasty was crumbling and European powers were carving up China into “spheres of influence”. Feeling left out, Secretary of State, John Hay, issues the Open Door Notes to foreign powers and takes their vague responses as being affirmative. Thus, on March 20, 1900, the United States issues the Open Door Policy.

1.) The growth of the U.S. economy depends on exports.

2.) The U.S. has the right to intervene to keep foreign markets open.

3.) The closing of a market threatens U.S. survival.

Roosevelt’s “Big Stick”Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” was the United States Navy. As former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and pro-imperialist, he believed in a powerful Navy which would protect American interests in the Western Hemisphere and around the globe.

Roosevelt CorollaryIn 1904, President Roosevelt added an amendment to the Monroe Doctrine known as the Roosevelt Corollary. He warns European nations not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere or the “United States would exercise police power” to protect its economic interests.

ConclusionIn a relatively short period of time, the United States becomes an imperialistic power joining European nations in dividing the world into spheres of influence. With a growing military force and the willingness to use it, the United States informs those same European powers when and where America intends to do business.