A World Power

Chapter 17

Americans Look to Foreign Lands

“It is wrong to want power over other countries, to try to control other lands.”

“Let other countries take care of themselves. We should mind our own business!”

The Monroe Doctrine

• proclaimed in 1823, declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to European nations.

America Gets Involved

1. Battleship Maine was harbored in Cuba

2. Cuba was fighting to be free from Spain

3. Americans were on Cuba’s side

4. An explosion occurred on the Maine

5. Headlines printed that the Spanish had blown up the Maine

6. Led to war

The Spanish American War

Why did America declare war?

1. Thousands of Cubans were being held against their will in Spain

2. Americans believed that the US had a right to expand into other countries

3. Newspapers were yelling for war

The Spanish American War

• President McKinley called for volunteers for the war.

• An eager volunteer was 40 year old Theodore Roosevelt, (under secretary of the navy)

The Rough Riders• A band of cowboys, miners, and hunters help free Cuba from Spanish rule!• San Juan Hill• At the top of Kettle Hill they faced withering rifle fire from the enemy but that

was soon silenced by Gatling machine guns from their own artillery. In his exuberance, Roosevelt called for a final charge up San Juan Hill and jumped over a barbed wire fence and led the charge. After about a hundred yard sprint he looked around and noticed that only 5 of his men had joined him. One was fatally shot and another wounded as bullets flew all around them. Roosevelt realized that the rest of his men had not heard the command and went back to get them. They resumed the charge and made it as far as the grass covered crest where they lie down to take advantage of what sparse cover there was. That night they dug entrenchments for themselves and prepared to take San Juan Hill the next day. Just before dawn there was sporadic fire from the Spaniards but they could not dislodge the Americans. An hour later, the assault began. The Rough Riders along with the other army units distinguished themselves well against a very gallant foe but in the end the enemy could not stand up to their charge. After San Juan Hill, the city of Santiago was easily taken and the Rough Riders were destined for glory, while their beloved Colonel was headed for the White House.

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The Spanish American War

• Lasted less than 4 months

• Teddy Roosevelt became a hero

• Philippines were taken under American control

• US also took Puerto Rico and Guam in the Pacific Ocean

The Panama Canal

• 1903

• Teddy Roosevelt became President

• The Problem: How do we get from New York to San Francisco by boat?

• The US helped Panama gain independence from Columbia and then paid them to let the US build the Panama Canal

Most travel was done by boat

How would you get from New York to San Francisco?

Building the Panama Canal

• Began Construction – May 1904

•Harsh working conditions, material shortages, malaria, and the yellow fever hampered construction.

•President Roosevelt appointed John F. Stevens as chief engineer and architect. Dr. William C. Gorgas focused on sanitation and

health concerns.

•After the resignation of Stevens in 1907, Lt. Col. George W. Goethals took over the job of building the canal. Progress

continued, and in August 1914 the SS Ancon became the first ship to pass through the canal.

Difference of Opinion• Some of Latin America felt that the US should

have stayed out of conflict between Colombia and Panama

• US tried to make things better by paying Panama more each year for the use of canal

• Paid Colombia for their loss of Panama

The Pan American Union

• “promote friendship and understanding between the people of the Americas”

North, Central, and South America formed the Pan American Union

Gaining Hawaii

• 1898• US annexed Hawaii• 1887- Hawaii had given

US rights to use Pearl Harbor

• Gained independence with help of US and became Republic of Hawaii

• 1959- Hawaii became the 50th state in the Union

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfG7aKS7ek

Conclusion

• US began trade w/ China

• 1913-On top of the world!

• Won War

• Leader in business and industry

• Trading Power