American Imperialism

• Imperialism– building an empire by creating colonies or conquering weaker countries

• Isolationism– avoiding involvement in affairs of foreign countries

Alaska and Hawaii• Sec of State Wm. Seward

buys Alaska from Russia, 2cents an acre

• People called it Seward’s Folly– thought it was a waste, frozen and useless

• Hawaii ruled by a queen, revolt happens and we annex- (take over) the island, lots of US business already

Japan and China

• Japan isolated themselves for years, Matthew Perry and US navy force our way into Japan to trade

• China defeated by Japan, other nations carve up China’s resources, we didn’t want to be left out

• Open Door Policy– all countries should have rights to trade in China

Spanish-American War• Cuba wanted indy from

Spain, Americans saw similarities to our rev.

• The media starts yellow journalism– exaggerating stories to sell papers, Cuban situation blown out of proportion

• USS Maine in Cuban harbor, blows up killing 260, cause unclear, we blame Spain

• US captures Spanish Philippines near Japan, and sends troops to Cuba

• Unprepared for war, wool in jungles, diseases

• Rough Riders– famous cav. group lead by Teddy Roosevelt

• US traps Spanish fleet in Cuban harbor and wins the war quickly

• We get control of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Philippines in the treaty

Latin America• Panama Canal– link

Atlantic and Pacific, cut 8,000mile trip, unite US navy

• US controlled canal zone for 100 yrs

• Tough to build, tropical diseases, mountain range, 6,000 killed building it

• Roosevelt uses Monroe Doctrine– Europe stay out of affairs in Western Hemisphere

• US takes on role of police officer in Central and South America

• “Speak softly and carry a big stick…”

• Taft uses dollar diplomacy– use $ to help countries rather than send military