Becoming a World Power

Ch. 23

p.656-675

Warm Up

• When should you get involved in the affairs of another country?

• What problems could arise because of this?• Look at the map on p. 660. How did the

location of these new U.S. territories differ from previous areas of expansions?

• Why did the U.S. want, and then acquire, these new territories?

U.S. Continues to Expand

• Leaders of the U.S. wanted to match European powers and establish overseas colonies

• Wanted to become an imperialist country (imperialism)– The policy by which stronger nations

extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories

U.S. Expansion cont..• Why is this ironic?• The idea of this expansion was fueled by certain

beliefs:• 1. Economic Interests

– Expansion would increase money, and colonies would provide raw materials for industry

• 2. Military Interests– Would provide bases for the newly expanded navy– Easier to reach different parts of the world

• 3. Cultural Superiority– America is the best at everything– Democracy is the best form of gov’t– Everyone should be democratic

Alaska• William Seward wanted the U.S. to expand

– How do we know him?– Sec. of State under Lincoln

• 1867, he arranged the purchase of Alaska from Russia– 7.2 million dollars

• Not a popular move, at the time– Polar Bear Garden, Seward’s Icebox is what the

papers said– Actually it was a huge bargain– Alaska is rich in natural resources– OIL!!!

Hawaii

• Seward also wanted to purchase some volcanic rock and coral out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean– This is the Hawaiian Islands!!!

• Hawaii was inhabited by descendants of the Peloponnesian people

• 1800s Christian missionaries from the US moved their and set up sugar plantations

• These wealthy planters dominated the economy

Hawaii cont..• 1891-Queen Liliuokalani became leader of

Hawaii• She limited the planters power--they had too

much• 1893-Planters, with the help of the US

marines, staged a revolt– Overthrew the Queen – Set up own gov’t and asked the US to annex

Hawaii

• Hawaii was annexed in 1898– What does annexed mean?

Spanish-American War

• By the late 1800s, Spain’s rule was weakening

• They used to be THE world power

• Now they only controlled the Philippine Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico

• The people wanted independence

• Cuban’s started to revolt

Spanish-American War cont.• Spain was worried and sent General

Valeriano “the Butcher” Weyler to crush the rebels

• He forced Cubans from their homes, and placed them in camps

• Thousands died of starvation• All this worried the US

– Disrupt trade with Cuba

• The USpress began publishing what was going on, and people were outraged

Spanish-American War cont..

• The newspapers printed, and often exaggerated, what was going on and how cruel the Spanish were– This is called yellow journalism

• All of these emotions, the economic problems, and the sudden need to save the Cuban people, forced America to act

The WAR• 1898--William McKinley was president

– Did not want a war– Fought in the Civil War, and saw enough bloodshed

to last his lifetime• “I have seen the dead piled up, and I do not want to see another”

• But, the American people and the gov’t wanted a war– Stirred on by all the yellow journalism

• McKinley was forced to take action• Demanded Spain stop its harsh treatment

– They brought Weyler home, but the treatment remained the same

WAR cont..• January 1898, McKinley sent the U.S.S. Maine

to Cuba– Riots broke out in Havana, and he sent the Maine to

protect US citizens

• February, 1898 while sitting in Cuban waters the Maine blew up!!!– Killed 262, wounded another 51

• The US press had a field day with this– The Spanish blew up the Maine!!– To Hell with Spain!! Remember the Maine!!– The Maine stayed in Cuba’s waters, half sunk, for

two years

War cont..

• The explosion remains a mystery even until today– Some believe it was a harbor mine– Some believe it was spontaneous combustion

• Over 5 tons of gun powder, and coal in the hull of the ship

• The cause did not matter• Spain was to blame-- and now McKinley was

forced to act

War cont..

• Remember the Maine!!! Became a call to arms

• April 20, 1898-- McKinley called for Cuba’s independence, and a withdrawal of Spanish troops– You have 3 days to comply– Spain refused-- war begins!!!