American Imperialism American Imperialism before WWIbefore WWI

American ImperialismAmerican Imperialism

• While many European While many European states were busy creating states were busy creating empires in Africa and empires in Africa and Asia, many Americans Asia, many Americans began to feel the pangs began to feel the pangs of expansionism too.of expansionism too.

• According to Professor According to Professor Frederick Jackson Turner Frederick Jackson Turner (University of Wisconsin), (University of Wisconsin), the frontier was officially the frontier was officially “settled” by 1890. “settled” by 1890.

American ImperialismAmerican Imperialism

• By the 1890’s, the United States was By the 1890’s, the United States was the world leader in industrial output the world leader in industrial output and agricultural production. and agricultural production.

• American business wanted to expand American business wanted to expand into new markets.into new markets.

• Arguments in favor of expansion had Arguments in favor of expansion had great appeal.great appeal.

American Imperialism American Imperialism • Expansionists also argued Expansionists also argued

that Americans had a right that Americans had a right and a duty to bring and a duty to bring Western culture to the Western culture to the “uncivilized” peoples of “uncivilized” peoples of the world.the world.

• Many expansionists, Many expansionists, especially those in the especially those in the military (like Captain Alfred military (like Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan), proposed Thayer Mahan), proposed that America needed that America needed overseas territories to overseas territories to protect our merchant fleet.protect our merchant fleet.

American Foreign PolicyAmerican Foreign Policy

• American foreign American foreign policy for the first policy for the first 100+ years of the 100+ years of the republic was dictated republic was dictated by by George George Washington’s Farewell Washington’s Farewell AddressAddress. .

• Washington begged Washington begged his countrymen to his countrymen to avoid “foreign avoid “foreign entanglements.”entanglements.”

American Foreign PolicyAmerican Foreign Policy

• Except for the Except for the Monroe DoctrineMonroe Doctrine, the , the United States United States primarily stayed primarily stayed isolated throughout isolated throughout most of the 19most of the 19thth century. century.

• American attitudes American attitudes began to change began to change after the Civil War.after the Civil War.

American Imperialism: Hawai’IAmerican Imperialism: Hawai’I• The Nation of Hawaii: The Nation of Hawaii:

• By 1875 American sugar By 1875 American sugar planters had brokered a planters had brokered a treaty between Hawai’I treaty between Hawai’I and the U.S. and the U.S.

• An 1882 amendment to An 1882 amendment to the treaty gave the U.S. the treaty gave the U.S. Pearl Harbor as a naval Pearl Harbor as a naval and refueling base. and refueling base.

• The growing power of the The growing power of the Americans ousted King Americans ousted King Kalakana (the Bayonet Kalakana (the Bayonet Constitution).Constitution).

American Imperialism: American Imperialism: Hawai’IHawai’I

• In 1891, Queen In 1891, Queen Lili’uokalani came to Lili’uokalani came to the throne. She the throne. She resented the growing resented the growing power of the power of the Americans.Americans.

• In 1893 the sugar In 1893 the sugar planters rebelled planters rebelled against the Queen’s against the Queen’s attempt to limit their attempt to limit their power.power.

•..

American Imperialism: American Imperialism: Hawai’iHawai’i

• The American Ambassador The American Ambassador called for the Marines, who called for the Marines, who deposed the Queen in the deposed the Queen in the Hawaiian “Revolution” of Hawaiian “Revolution” of 1893.1893.

• A new “Americanized” A new “Americanized” constitution was installed.constitution was installed.

• President Grover Cleveland President Grover Cleveland refused to annex Hawai’I refused to annex Hawai’I because he said he was because he said he was “ashamed of the whole affair.”“ashamed of the whole affair.”

American Imperialism: American Imperialism: Hawai’IHawai’I•After Cleveland left After Cleveland left office, his successor, office, his successor, William McKinley, pushed William McKinley, pushed Congress to annex Congress to annex Hawaii (which was done Hawaii (which was done in 1898).in 1898).

•Hawaii became a U.S. Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1900.territory in 1900.

• It became a state in It became a state in 1959.1959.

American Imperialism: American Imperialism: The The Venezuelan Border Dispute and the Venezuelan Border Dispute and the Monroe DoctrineMonroe Doctrine

• After Hawaii, the next test for After Hawaii, the next test for American foreign policy came in American foreign policy came in VenezuelaVenezuela (1895). Here, the United (1895). Here, the United States and Great Britain almost went States and Great Britain almost went to war over the Monroe Doctrine. to war over the Monroe Doctrine.

• Britain and Venezuela were arguing Britain and Venezuela were arguing over the border between British over the border between British Guiana and Venezuela (no one cared Guiana and Venezuela (no one cared until gold was discovered). until gold was discovered).

American Imperialism: the Venezuelan American Imperialism: the Venezuelan Border DisputeBorder Dispute

American Imperialism: American Imperialism: the the Venezuelan Border DisputeVenezuelan Border Dispute

• When Britain refused to negotiate through When Britain refused to negotiate through American arbitration, President Cleveland American arbitration, President Cleveland asked Congress for the authority to asked Congress for the authority to defend Venezuela.defend Venezuela.

• Britain backed down and agreed to Britain backed down and agreed to arbitration, which favored their claims arbitration, which favored their claims anyway. anyway.

• This was the last time the U.S. and Britain This was the last time the U.S. and Britain were at odds with each other.were at odds with each other.

American Imperialism: CubaAmerican Imperialism: Cuba• The next major test would come in The next major test would come in

CubaCuba. In the late 1890’s, Americans . In the late 1890’s, Americans opened their daily newspapers to find opened their daily newspapers to find shocking and lurid tales of violence shocking and lurid tales of violence and revolution in Cuba, a Spanish and revolution in Cuba, a Spanish owned island 90 miles south of Florida.owned island 90 miles south of Florida.

American Imperialism: CubaAmerican Imperialism: Cuba

• In 1898, the United States put aside In 1898, the United States put aside its long standing policy of neutrality its long standing policy of neutrality to intervene in the Cuban revolution. to intervene in the Cuban revolution.

• Actually, American interests in Cuba Actually, American interests in Cuba went back many decades…went back many decades…

CubaCuba• In 1823, John Quincy In 1823, John Quincy

Adams was the Secretary Adams was the Secretary of State under President of State under President Monroe. He compared Monroe. He compared Cuba to a ripe apple. A Cuba to a ripe apple. A storm he said, might tear storm he said, might tear that apple “from its that apple “from its native tree” and drop it native tree” and drop it into American hands. into American hands.

• The Cuban rebels of the The Cuban rebels of the 1890’s were giving Spain 1890’s were giving Spain the storm JQA had hoped the storm JQA had hoped for 75 years earlier.for 75 years earlier.

CubaCuba• The Ostend ManifestoThe Ostend Manifesto (1854) was an (1854) was an

attempt by President Franklin Pierce attempt by President Franklin Pierce to extend the southern boundary of to extend the southern boundary of the U.S. by annexing Cuba. The U.S. the U.S. by annexing Cuba. The U.S. was willing to negotiate with Spain a was willing to negotiate with Spain a payment of $120m. payment of $120m.

CubaCuba

• If Spain refused to sell, Pierce was If Spain refused to sell, Pierce was prepared to take Cuba by force and prepared to take Cuba by force and make it a slave state. make it a slave state.

• This was leaked to a New York This was leaked to a New York newspaper, and faced with a newspaper, and faced with a firestorm of criticism, Pierce firestorm of criticism, Pierce repudiated the Manifesto and repudiated the Manifesto and disavowed any knowledge of it.disavowed any knowledge of it.

Cuba, and the Coming of Cuba, and the Coming of WarWar

• Spain held on tightly to her “Pearl of the Spain held on tightly to her “Pearl of the Antilles.” This was the last remnant of Antilles.” This was the last remnant of Spanish colonialism in the New World and Spanish colonialism in the New World and Spain did not want to give it up. Spain did not want to give it up.

• For the United States, Cuba’s close For the United States, Cuba’s close proximity, climate, and soil made her a proximity, climate, and soil made her a great place for investment. great place for investment. Americans had Americans had invested over $50 million in Cuba (more invested over $50 million in Cuba (more than anywhere else) and had trade with than anywhere else) and had trade with the island in excess of $100 million/year the island in excess of $100 million/year (nearly 25% of all American exports).(nearly 25% of all American exports).

Cuba, and the Coming of Cuba, and the Coming of WarWar

• The U.S. wanted naval bases in Cuba.The U.S. wanted naval bases in Cuba.

• Growing American sympathy for the Growing American sympathy for the rebels fighting for their freedom rebels fighting for their freedom created a tense situation with Spain.created a tense situation with Spain.

• By 1898, many Americans were By 1898, many Americans were eager for a conflict with Spain over eager for a conflict with Spain over Cuba.Cuba.

Cuba, and the Coming of Cuba, and the Coming of WarWar• Sympathy for the Cuban rebels, Sympathy for the Cuban rebels,

reports of Spanish atrocities against reports of Spanish atrocities against the Cubans (the Cubans (the first “concentration” the first “concentration” campscamps), and anger towards a European ), and anger towards a European power still trying to maintain control of power still trying to maintain control of colonies in the Western Hemisphere colonies in the Western Hemisphere stirred Americans to action.stirred Americans to action.

• The “The “yellowyellow” press” press whipped the nation whipped the nation into a frenzy with lurid accounts, into a frenzy with lurid accounts, usually exaggerated, of conditions in usually exaggerated, of conditions in Cuba.Cuba.

Cuba, and the Coming of Cuba, and the Coming of WarWar• Newspaper baron Newspaper baron

William Randolph William Randolph Hearst sent a Hearst sent a photographer to photographer to cover Cuba with cover Cuba with the famous words: the famous words: “You provide the “You provide the pictures, I’ll pictures, I’ll provide the war!”provide the war!”

Cuba, and the Coming of Cuba, and the Coming of WarWar

• A typical headline read: “A typical headline read: “Blood on Blood on the roadsides, blood in the fields, the roadsides, blood in the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood!blood!””

• Such sensational reports were often Such sensational reports were often inaccurate, but they succeeded in inaccurate, but they succeeded in stirring American anger against stirring American anger against Spain.Spain.

Cuba, and the Coming of WarCuba, and the Coming of War• President McKinley hoped to resolve the President McKinley hoped to resolve the

Cuban issue without military intervention, Cuban issue without military intervention, but several events prevented that from but several events prevented that from happening. Key things besides “happening. Key things besides “yellowyellow” ” journalism were the journalism were the De Lome letterDe Lome letter and and the the Battleship MaineBattleship Maine..

Cuba, and the Coming of Cuba, and the Coming of WarWar

• De LomeDe Lome was the Spanish ambassador to was the Spanish ambassador to Washington. In a private letter written Washington. In a private letter written to a friend in Spain in early January 1898 to a friend in Spain in early January 1898 (that was intercepted and reprinted by (that was intercepted and reprinted by the press), De Lome called McKinley the press), De Lome called McKinley “weak and catering to rabble…a low “weak and catering to rabble…a low politician…”politician…”

• De Lome was then recalled to Spain.De Lome was then recalled to Spain.

Steps Leading to WarSteps Leading to War• President McKinley sent the President McKinley sent the

battleship battleship USSUSS MaineMaine to Havana to Havana Harbor to protect American citizens Harbor to protect American citizens and American investment (and and American investment (and pressure Spain).pressure Spain).

Steps Leading to WarSteps Leading to War• On Feb. 15, 1898 the On Feb. 15, 1898 the

Maine exploded in Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, killing Havana Harbor, killing 266 American sailors 266 American sailors (of the 350 on board). (of the 350 on board). American newspapers American newspapers immediately blamed immediately blamed Spanish saboteurs. Spanish saboteurs.

• The Spanish denied The Spanish denied having anything to do having anything to do with the disaster.with the disaster.

Steps Leading to WarSteps Leading to War

• Hearst and Pulitzer Hearst and Pulitzer newspapers ran newspapers ran headlines that said headlines that said “Remember the “Remember the Maine…to Hell with Maine…to Hell with Spain!” The nation Spain!” The nation was now poised for was now poised for war.war.

The Coming of WarThe Coming of War

• Spain knew it could not defeat the United Spain knew it could not defeat the United States, and on April 9, 1898 agreed to all States, and on April 9, 1898 agreed to all the concessions over Cuba the United the concessions over Cuba the United States asked for.States asked for.

• President McKinley tried to resist the President McKinley tried to resist the political pressure to declare war, but political pressure to declare war, but fearing his party (Republican) would lose fearing his party (Republican) would lose face and power, he acquiesced. face and power, he acquiesced.

• Two days later (April 11, 1898), McKinley Two days later (April 11, 1898), McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain.asked Congress to declare war on Spain.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• Before hostilities really Before hostilities really began, Assistant began, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, secretly ordered the secretly ordered the American Pacific fleet American Pacific fleet (known as the Asiatic (known as the Asiatic Squadron) out of port in Squadron) out of port in Hong Kong to sail to the Hong Kong to sail to the Philippines right away. Philippines right away.

• American naval ships American naval ships hadn’t been to the hadn’t been to the Philippines in 22 years. Philippines in 22 years.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• Roosevelt ordered the Spanish fleet Roosevelt ordered the Spanish fleet captured or destroyed.captured or destroyed.

• At dawn on May 1, just days after war was At dawn on May 1, just days after war was “officially” declared, Commodore Dewey “officially” declared, Commodore Dewey and a small fleet of six American ships and a small fleet of six American ships surprised the enemy. From the bridge of surprised the enemy. From the bridge of his flagship, the cruiser his flagship, the cruiser OlympiaOlympia, Dewey , Dewey commanded the attack on the surprised commanded the attack on the surprised Spanish fleet.Spanish fleet.

• ““Remember the Maine and down with Remember the Maine and down with Spain!” was the battle cry of his gunners. Spain!” was the battle cry of his gunners.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• In a four-hour In a four-hour engagement, without engagement, without losing a ship or a man losing a ship or a man (except for an engineer (except for an engineer who died of heat who died of heat exhaustion), Dewey’s exhaustion), Dewey’s fleet destroyed the fleet destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet of Spanish Pacific fleet of 10 ships in Manila Bay. 10 ships in Manila Bay.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• The American ships fired off nearly 6,000 The American ships fired off nearly 6,000 shells, Spanish casualties numbered shells, Spanish casualties numbered nearly 400, and the Americans captured nearly 400, and the Americans captured the crucial naval station at Cavite. the crucial naval station at Cavite.

• The Americans had such an easy time of The Americans had such an easy time of it that at one point in the engagement, it that at one point in the engagement, Dewey ordered his men to cease firing so Dewey ordered his men to cease firing so they could have breakfast. They returned they could have breakfast. They returned to the attack after breakfast.to the attack after breakfast.

• ““I control Manila Bay completely,” he I control Manila Bay completely,” he cabled Washington, “and can take the city cabled Washington, “and can take the city at any time.”at any time.”

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• Dewey’s battle order to his captain on the Dewey’s battle order to his captain on the OlympiaOlympia “You may fire when you are ready, “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley,” immediately became as famous as Gridley,” immediately became as famous as David Farragut’s “Damn the torpedoes!”David Farragut’s “Damn the torpedoes!”

• Newspapers in the U.S. called Dewey’s victory Newspapers in the U.S. called Dewey’s victory “The Greatest Naval Engagement of Modern “The Greatest Naval Engagement of Modern Times,” and compared it to Horatio Nelson’s Times,” and compared it to Horatio Nelson’s defeat of the French at Trafalgar. defeat of the French at Trafalgar.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• Because of his immediate fame and Because of his immediate fame and popularity, Dewey went from Commodore popularity, Dewey went from Commodore to rear admiral to Admiral of the Navy, a to rear admiral to Admiral of the Navy, a rank and honor revived by Congress and rank and honor revived by Congress and abolished after his death. The president abolished after his death. The president was his only superior.was his only superior.

• Given the pathetic condition of the Given the pathetic condition of the outgunned and mostly unarmored outgunned and mostly unarmored Spanish fleet, however, Dewey’s victory Spanish fleet, however, Dewey’s victory was more like a turkey shoot.was more like a turkey shoot.

The Spanish-American The Spanish-American WarWar

• The Spanish admiral, The Spanish admiral, Patricio Montojo, had Patricio Montojo, had fully expected fully expected defeat so he moved defeat so he moved his ships to a his ships to a shallow anchorage. shallow anchorage.

• This way his men This way his men could cling to the could cling to the rigging when their rigging when their ships went down ships went down instead of drowning.instead of drowning.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• American troops American troops easily captured easily captured Manila and took Manila and took complete complete possession of the possession of the Philippines in Philippines in August (1898).August (1898).

The Spanish-American The Spanish-American WarWar• When war finally When war finally

came, few were more came, few were more eager to fight than eager to fight than the young Assistant the young Assistant Secretary of the Secretary of the Navy, Teddy Navy, Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt.

• Roosevelt resigned Roosevelt resigned his position, and his position, and formed a volunteer formed a volunteer regiment (the First regiment (the First Volunteer Calvary Volunteer Calvary Regiment). Regiment).

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• Sent to Cuba to fight for Cuban Sent to Cuba to fight for Cuban independence, Roosevelt’s unit independence, Roosevelt’s unit (nicknamed the “Rough Riders”) saw (nicknamed the “Rough Riders”) saw action in Santiago (Cuba’s 2action in Santiago (Cuba’s 2ndnd largest largest city).city).

• Roosevelt’s charge up San Juan Hill Roosevelt’s charge up San Juan Hill became the stuff of legend. His unit was became the stuff of legend. His unit was joined by the African American units of joined by the African American units of the 9the 9thth and 10 and 10thth Cavalries. Cavalries.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• Two days later, the Two days later, the combined American combined American forces destroyed forces destroyed the Spanish fleet in the Spanish fleet in Santiago, causing Santiago, causing the Spanish army in the Spanish army in Cuba to surrender.Cuba to surrender.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• The war lasted just four months. America The war lasted just four months. America lost over 5000 soldiers, but only 400 to lost over 5000 soldiers, but only 400 to actual combat. The rest died of diseases actual combat. The rest died of diseases (heat exhaustion, yellow fever, malaria, (heat exhaustion, yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, food poisoning, etc).typhoid, food poisoning, etc).

• Secretary of State John Hay famously called Secretary of State John Hay famously called this action “a splendid little war.”this action “a splendid little war.”

• This marked the end of the Spanish Empire This marked the end of the Spanish Empire in the New World.in the New World.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

• The United States had turned from The United States had turned from her position of isolationism to her position of isolationism to become an international power.become an international power.

• The United States now joined the The United States now joined the ranks of the world’s colonial powers. ranks of the world’s colonial powers.

The Treaty of Paris (1898)The Treaty of Paris (1898)

• Having just defeated Spain, the following Having just defeated Spain, the following terms were agreed to in October 1898:terms were agreed to in October 1898:

• Cuba would gain independence from Cuba would gain independence from Spain, but Spain would retain Cuba’s Spain, but Spain would retain Cuba’s heavy debts.heavy debts.

• Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines were ceded to the United States.were ceded to the United States.

The Treaty of Paris (1898)The Treaty of Paris (1898)

• The United States agreed to pay Spain The United States agreed to pay Spain $20.0 million for the Philippines. The $20.0 million for the Philippines. The U.S. now had a launching point for U.S. now had a launching point for trade in the Far East.trade in the Far East.

• The United States now had the The United States now had the overseas empire many had dreamed overseas empire many had dreamed of (with all the positives and negatives of (with all the positives and negatives that went with it). that went with it).

American ImperialismAmerican Imperialism

The PhilippinesThe Philippines• As a result of the As a result of the

Spanish-American Spanish-American War, the United War, the United States could no States could no longer be truly longer be truly isolated again. As isolated again. As we will see in WWI we will see in WWI and leading up to and leading up to WWII, the U.S. tried WWII, the U.S. tried to revert back to a to revert back to a position of position of isolation, but it was isolation, but it was never achieved. never achieved. The world had The world had gotten too smallgotten too small..

The PhilippinesThe Philippines

• President McKinley saw in the Philippines the President McKinley saw in the Philippines the chance to “educate and uplift and civilize chance to “educate and uplift and civilize and Christianize…” the Filipinos. Meanwhile, and Christianize…” the Filipinos. Meanwhile, they had been Catholic for three centuries.they had been Catholic for three centuries.

• The Philippines had helped the United States The Philippines had helped the United States against Spain, much the same way Cuba against Spain, much the same way Cuba helped the United States. Filipinos expected helped the United States. Filipinos expected independence (like that granted Cuba) to be independence (like that granted Cuba) to be their reward.their reward.

The PhilippinesThe Philippines• Filipinos were outraged when Congress did Filipinos were outraged when Congress did

not approve independence for the not approve independence for the Philippines. Most Filipinos felt betrayed by Philippines. Most Filipinos felt betrayed by the United States, and that they had merely the United States, and that they had merely traded one master (Spain) for another.traded one master (Spain) for another.

• Filipino nationalists, under the direction of Filipino nationalists, under the direction of Emilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo, rose up in armed , rose up in armed rebellion against American rule in 1899. rebellion against American rule in 1899. Aguinaldo had helped the Americans in Aguinaldo had helped the Americans in ridding the Philippines of Spanish rule.ridding the Philippines of Spanish rule.

The “Philippine The “Philippine Insurrection”Insurrection”• From 1899-1902, American From 1899-1902, American

military forces clashed with military forces clashed with Filipino nationalists. Filipino nationalists. Aguinaldo and 70,000 rebels Aguinaldo and 70,000 rebels spent more than two years spent more than two years fighting for their nation’s fighting for their nation’s freedom in a bloody, and freedom in a bloody, and often brutal war. often brutal war.

• After Aguinaldo was After Aguinaldo was captured, the war ended. captured, the war ended. 4,300 Americans and 57,000 4,300 Americans and 57,000 Filipinos were killed in this Filipinos were killed in this little known American war. little known American war.

America and the WorldAmerica and the World

• After the Philippine insurrection was put After the Philippine insurrection was put down, movements were made to give the down, movements were made to give the Filipinos more autonomy. However Filipinos more autonomy. However whenever these came before Congress, they whenever these came before Congress, they were voted down because it was felt the were voted down because it was felt the Filipinos needed more time to “develop” a Filipinos needed more time to “develop” a true democracy.true democracy.

• Today, Puerto Rico and Guam are still Today, Puerto Rico and Guam are still territorial possessions of the United States. territorial possessions of the United States. The Philippines was finally granted The Philippines was finally granted independence after WWII, in 1946.independence after WWII, in 1946.

Foreign Policy under TeddyForeign Policy under Teddy

• Teddy’s “Big Stick” Teddy’s “Big Stick” diplomacy: Based diplomacy: Based on the West African on the West African proverb “Speak proverb “Speak softly and carry a big softly and carry a big stick; you will go stick; you will go far.”far.”

• Essentially the Essentially the Roosevelt CorollaryRoosevelt Corollary grew out of this grew out of this attitude.attitude.

Foreign Policy under TeddyForeign Policy under Teddy

• It has come to mean any diplomatic It has come to mean any diplomatic negotiations that are backed up by the negotiations that are backed up by the threat of (American) force. This is threat of (American) force. This is sometimes called “sometimes called “Gunboat DiplomacyGunboat Diplomacy.”.”

Foreign Policy under TeddyForeign Policy under Teddy• The Roosevelt Corollary to the The Roosevelt Corollary to the

Monroe DoctrineMonroe Doctrine:: In the early 1900’s In the early 1900’s Venezuela and the Dominican Republic Venezuela and the Dominican Republic defaulted on loans from Britain, defaulted on loans from Britain, Germany, and Italy. European Germany, and Italy. European warships menaced Latin American/ warships menaced Latin American/ Caribbean nations. Caribbean nations.

• Teddy Roosevelt invoked the Monroe Teddy Roosevelt invoked the Monroe Doctrine and sent American Doctrine and sent American battleships to force the Europeans out. battleships to force the Europeans out. The Europeans were furious, saying if The Europeans were furious, saying if they could not use force to get their they could not use force to get their debts paid, the U.S. must take debts paid, the U.S. must take responsibility.responsibility.

Foreign Policy under TeddyForeign Policy under Teddy

• To satisfy this demand, Roosevelt announced To satisfy this demand, Roosevelt announced the the Roosevelt CorollaryRoosevelt Corollary in 1904. He in 1904. He declared the U.S. would exercise “declared the U.S. would exercise “international international police powerpolice power” to get Latin American/Caribbean ” to get Latin American/Caribbean nations to honor their financial commitments.nations to honor their financial commitments.

• Through the 1920’s, this policy sent American Through the 1920’s, this policy sent American troops to Nicaragua and Honduras (and other troops to Nicaragua and Honduras (and other places) to guarantee repayment of foreign places) to guarantee repayment of foreign debts.debts.

Teddy and the “Big Ditch”Teddy and the “Big Ditch”• As the U.S. expanded its As the U.S. expanded its

interests in the Pacific, it interests in the Pacific, it wanted to be able to move wanted to be able to move its naval fleet easily its naval fleet easily between oceans without between oceans without making the long voyage making the long voyage around South America around South America (8000 nautical miles).(8000 nautical miles).

• Teddy Roosevelt proposed Teddy Roosevelt proposed building a canal across the building a canal across the narrow Isthmus of Panama, narrow Isthmus of Panama, which was a province of which was a province of Columbia.Columbia.

Teddy and the “Big Ditch”Teddy and the “Big Ditch”• Columbia did not want to Columbia did not want to

give the U.S. the rights to give the U.S. the rights to build fearing it would lose build fearing it would lose control of the region.control of the region.

• When it looked like When it looked like another canal might be another canal might be built in Nicaragua, key built in Nicaragua, key Panamanian business Panamanian business and civic leaders seized and civic leaders seized the moment and started the moment and started a rebellion.a rebellion.

Panama and the “Big Ditch”Panama and the “Big Ditch”• So in November 1903, with U.S. encouragement, So in November 1903, with U.S. encouragement,

Panama rebelled against Columbia. When Panama rebelled against Columbia. When Columbia sent troops to put down the rebellion, Columbia sent troops to put down the rebellion, 10 American warships prevented the Columbian 10 American warships prevented the Columbian troops from landing.troops from landing.

• The rebel leaders, among them my uncle’s The rebel leaders, among them my uncle’s grandfather, quickly declared Panamanian grandfather, quickly declared Panamanian independence (creating the Republic of Panama) independence (creating the Republic of Panama) and signed a document granting the U.S. rights and signed a document granting the U.S. rights to build the canal.to build the canal.

Panama and the “Big Ditch”Panama and the “Big Ditch”

• The U.S. was also granted rights to The U.S. was also granted rights to the Canal Zone, averaging 10 miles the Canal Zone, averaging 10 miles wide and just over 50 miles long.wide and just over 50 miles long.

• This would be considered sovereign This would be considered sovereign American territory until given back to American territory until given back to Panama in 1999.Panama in 1999.

Panama and the “Big Ditch”Panama and the “Big Ditch”

Panama and the “Big Ditch”Panama and the “Big Ditch”• Building the canal began in 1904. Building the canal began in 1904.

Pittsburgh's furnaces roared as more Pittsburgh's furnaces roared as more than fifty mills, foundries, and machine than fifty mills, foundries, and machine shops churned out the rivets, bolts, shops churned out the rivets, bolts, nut, girders, and other steel pieces the nut, girders, and other steel pieces the canal builders needed. canal builders needed.

• The Canal was a modern marvel of The Canal was a modern marvel of American engineering, technological, American engineering, technological, and medical advancement. When it and medical advancement. When it opened in 1914, the Canal was a opened in 1914, the Canal was a symbol of U.S. power and influence in symbol of U.S. power and influence in Latin America.Latin America.

Teddy and the “Big Ditch”Teddy and the “Big Ditch”• TR became the first TR became the first

sitting president to sitting president to leave the country leave the country while in office. Here while in office. Here he sits in a 95 ton he sits in a 95 ton Bucyrus hydraulic Bucyrus hydraulic bucket lifter.bucket lifter.

• Teddy Roosevelt Teddy Roosevelt considered the Canal considered the Canal his legacy and his his legacy and his greatest greatest achievement.achievement.