Chapter 27: Empire & Expansion1890 - 1909

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 to despotism at home.

- The Democratic National Platform, 1900

FOREIGN POLICY = the set of goals, principles and practices that guide a nation in its relations

with other countries

ConductingAmerican

Foreign Policy

• Legally binding treaties require 2/3 Senate approval• “Tools of the Trade” include diplomacy, financial aid and

the threat of armed force• Realism versus Idealism– Realism: based on our self-interest• If it benefits us, it is good policy

– Idealism: promote America’s founding ideals to ensure a better world for ALL not just for us• Democracy, opportunity, liberty, equality, rights

• From George Washington’s Farewell Address: It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is to have with them as little political connection as possible.

‒This is known as “isolationism” or “unilateralism”‒The United States will “go it alone” ‒Neutrality protects us from taking

sides• Great Britain vs. France in the

early days

• 1820’s–Russia threatened to

expand in North America– Spain and Britain were

colonizing in S./C. America

• 1823: The Monroe Doctrine declares a policy for Europeof non-colonization and non-interference in the Western Hemisphere– The American continents are closed to future

colonization by any European powers

A History of American Expansion Through Diplomacy

A History of American Expansion Through Diplomacy • 1803: T. Jefferson buys the Louisiana Territory

from France for $15,000,000 (3 cents an acre)• 1819: We negotiate

for Florida from Spain

• 1846: Treaty w/Britain divides the Oregon Territory at the 49th parallel

• 1867: $7,200,000 for Alaska from Russia

A History of American Expansion Through War• 1846: President Polk goes to war with

Mexico over our southern border–Mexican War ends in 1848 (Treaty of Guadalupe

Hidalgo) –Mexican Cession• Rio Grande as the southern border of the U.S.• Territory from Texas to California

• Which is it?–A great new territory to secure borders–An unjust land grab with no regard for Mexican

rights

The Beginning of Imperialism• Empire Building– Expanding to

the West beyond our borders–Across the

Pacific Ocean to China and Japan–Hawaii and other islands as “coaling stations”• Protectorates = nations controlled by stronger nations

Hawaii• Ruled by Queen Liliuokalani

(monarchy)• 1893: U.S. military forces

overthrew the queen when U.S. business interests were threatened and annexed Hawaii

• Became a United States territory in 1900. • Became a state in 1959,

the only one that is not part of N. America.

Differing Viewpoints: Should the U.S. become an imperialist power?

Henry Cabot Lodge (1895)Small states are of the past and

have no future. The modern movement is all toward the concentration of people and

territory into great nations and large dominions. The great

nations are rapidly absorbing for their future expansion and their present defense all the waste places of the earth.

Carl Schurz (1896)

In its dealings with other nations, the United States

should have scrupulous regard, not only for their rights, but also for their

self-respect…It should seek to influence mankind, not by heavy artillery, but by good example and wise

counsel. It should see its highest glory, not in battles

won, but in wars prevented.

• Moral not just economic empire building–Josiah Strong: Civilize and Christianize–Rudyard Kipling wrote of “the white man’s

burden”• A strong navy was a necessity

(Alfred T. Mahan)–The Influence of Sea Power Upon History–World powers need world class navies

• Jingoism: belligerent nationalism

Trouble in Cuba

• One of only two remaining Spanish colonies– Much American investment in sugar plantations amid

political instability– Two previous rebellions for independence had failed

• Valeriano Weyler was sent to put down the rebellions– Created prison camps (“reconcentration camps”)– Thousands die in these overcrowded, unsanitary,

poorly equipped camps• Realistically, the U.S. must protect investments and

property• Idealistically, the U.S. must help the Cubans realize their

noble dream of independence and freedom• President William McKinley hoped to remain neutral.

Imperialism, The Role of the Media and a Call to War with Spain

• Newspapers– Joseph Pulitzer and

the New York World versus William Hearst and the New York Journal

• Yellow journalism = sensational exaggerated news stories

Causes of the Spanish-America War• The DeLome Letter– Enrique Dupuy DeLome: Spanish ambassador • Describes President McKinley as “weak and

catering to the rabble, and, besides, a low politician.”• Outrage and indignation in the United States

• “Remember The Maine!!”– February 15, 1898 the American battleship

blows up–Probably not a mine, probably not sabotage…

remember “yellow journalism”?

Causes of the Spanish-America War

Congress Declares War!• McKinley hoped to avoid

war• Demands that Spain…–Close the camps–Grant Cuba independence– Spain agrees to close the

camps, will not grant independence

• April 25, 1898–Congress formally

declares war on Spain

A “Splendid Little War” with Spain• Teller Amendment–When Cuba is liberated and peace restored,

the United States will “leave the government and control of the Island to its people.”

• First, the Philippines (another Spanish colony)– Emilio Aguinaldo had been fighting against the

Spanish there–Commodore Dewey storms Manila Bay–Aguinaldo with American reinforcements takes

Manila

A “Splendid Little War” with Spain• Then Cuba– The First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry• The Rough-Riders led by Teddy Roosevelt• After taking San Juan Hill the war went quickly

• Peace on August 12 (war was declared in April)– Armistice (cessation of hostilities)

• 5500 died mostly from disease (malaria and yellow fever)

• Poorly equipped, poorly supplied troops (wool uniforms in the tropical jungle!) win America’s first overseas war

America on the World Stage• Treaty of Paris 1898– Independence to Cuba–Puerto Rico and Guam ceded to the U.S.A.–Philippines to the U.S. with a payment to Spain of

$20,000,000• Platt Amendment states that the U.S. is

allowed to intervene in Cuban affairs and to buy or lease naval bases there–By 1913, 60% of Cuba’s land was owned and

controlled by U.S. business interests

The Foreign Policy of Teddy Roosevelt• American national interests come first• Roosevelt- “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you

will go far”• Big Stick Policy- Roosevelt’s strong arm approach

in working quietly and patiently to achieve goals overseas but using force if necessary.

• Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine– The United States would act as international

police power to preserve peace and order in the western hemisphere and protect American interests.

Panama• The US helped Panama

overthrow Columbia in 1903 and recognized them as an independent nation.

• Panama Canal (opened 1914)– The U.S. builds a 51 mile canal

in ten years which connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

• The Canal was the engineering feat of the time. In 1999 the US returned ownership of the canal back to Panama.

Puerto Rico• After the Sp-Am War the U.S. set up a military

government, schools, and a postal service• Jones Act (1917): Wilson made Puerto Rico a

U.S. territory but still no rights• Puerto Rico remains a U.S. commonwealth –Control over their

laws and finances but decisions on defense and tariffsare America’s

Philippines• After the Spanish-American

War, Filipino Emilio Aguinaldo called for independence from the U.S.

• February 1899, fighting broke out between U.S. and Philippines– Hundreds of thousands of soldiers put down the

revolt and defeated the Filipino army• The U.S. set up a central government , built

schools and controlled the Philippines until 1946.

America on the World Stage

• Does the Constitution follow the flag?–No: In the Insular

Cases the Supreme Court rules that the Filipinos and the Puerto Ricans are subject to American rule but do NOT enjoy American rights

Uncle Sam and People from His Colonies, Postcard, ca. 1900

China’s “Open Door”• China was a huge nation rich in

resources• Spheres of Influence– areas in which a single

nation controlled trading rights

• Open Door Policy– issued by the U.S. in 1899

stating that foreign nations must allow free trade in China (issued by Secretary of State John Hay)

The Boxer Rebellion in China• This group led an

insurrection (rising up to expel the foreign devils)

• Thousands killed including Christian missionaries and Chinese Christians

• Forces from the U.S., Japan and Europe crush the uprising