ImperialismImperialism - A policy by which stronger nations extend their economic,

political, or military control over weaker nations.

Example:

European Control

of Africa in 1914

Cuba

Cuba is an island in the Caribbean

about 90 miles south of Florida

Spain controlled Cuba for almost

400 years

The U.S. had financial interests in

Cuba and tried to buy it at one time

Cubans rebelled against the Spanish

to try to win their freedom in a

series of wars

U.S.S. Maine

The U.S.S. Maine blew up in

Havana Harbor Feb. 15th, 1898

266 men killed in explosion and

America is outraged, “Yellow

Journalism” calling for revenge

Cause of the explosion can’t be

proved – America blames Spain

Congress and Pres. McKinley

move to declare war against

Spain

Spanish American War

U.S. forces land in Cuba in June 1898

T.R. leads an all-volunteer group of

soldiers called “Roughriders” in Cuba

T.R. and Roughriders lead an assault

on San Juan Hill- bloody fighting

ensues

U.S. forces with help from Cuban

rebels win victory in war in less than

4 months

Other Theaters in WarAmerican naval forces dominate the

Spanish in the Philippines

Spanish surrender to American

Army forces at Manila, Philippines

Navy warships bomb Puerto Rico

American Army storms Puerto Rico

and easily takes control

The Treaty of Paris ended the war

on Dec. 10,1898

Aftermath of the

Spanish-American War

Terms of the peace treaty included the

U.S. acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam,

and the Philippines for $20 million

Cuba began the process of gaining its

independence from Spain

Tens of thousands of Cubans/Spanish

dead; perhaps 250,000 Filipinos die

America now a world power – marks

the end of the Spanish Empire

Boxer Rebellion

In the early 1900’s, China was

seen as a country with vast

potential for U.S. markets (a

place where goods made in the

USA could be sold).

At the same time, many countries

in Europe were also trading with

China.

**Think of examples of why China was so

important to industrial countries

What was the rebellion?By 1900, many Chinese

opposed the spread of

Western influence in their

country.

A secret society, known as

the Boxers, rose in revolt to

drive out the “foreign

devils.”

The Boxers killed hundreds

of missionaries and other

foreigners.**Why might people in China be

unhappy with foreigners in their

country?

The Boxer WarIn August 1900, troops

from Britain, France,

Germany, Japan and the

United States were sent

to China to protect

foreigners and to put

down the rebellion.

Thousands of Chinese

people died during the

fighting.

The AftermathAfter the defeat of the Boxers, U.S. Secretary

of State John Jay took steps to prevent the

Imperial powers from dividing up China.

Jay’s “Open Door Policy” said that all

participating powers would have equal access

to China and her markets.

**Why do you think the USA

be “OK” with everyone

having equal access to China?

U.S. Beliefs/Ideals

The open door policy reflected three deeply held

American beliefs:

1. Americans believed that the growth of the U.S.

economy depended on exports.

2. The United States had right to intervene abroad

to keep foreign markets open.

3. The fear that the closing of an country/area to

American products, citizens, or ideas

threatened U.S. survival.