How did the U.S. deal with its new territorial possessions at the

beginning of the 20th century ?

Spanish-American War

Driven by the “Yellow Press”

Pulitzer and Hearst Hearst – “You furnish

the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”

Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine makes war inevitable

U.S. victory and the 1898 Treaty of Paris

Puerto Rico and Guam become American possessions

Cuba would be independent (protectorate) The Philippines would be annexed Hawaii would also be annexed * (not part of

the treaty)

Puerto Rico

Foraker Act- gave U.S. power to appoint governor

Two-house legislature established 1950- Constitution is drafted 1952- Commonwealth status U.S. handles external affairs still

Cuba

Independence is “hazy” Unofficial status as a

protectorate Platt Amendment-

series of provisions that gave the U.S. authority to make major decisions for Cuba

Cuba (con’t)

Economic and military domination Troops sent back and forth to support

political groups 90% of Cuba’s foreign trade was with U.S. Strategic importance of Cuba always

highlighted 1934- Platt Amendment abrogated, but

Guantanamo Bay base remained

Hawaii

Influence of U.S. dates to 1820’s

Sugar plantations owned by White Businessmen

Force changes in Constitution

Eventually revolution led by white business interests overthrow

Queen Liliuokalani►

Hawaii (con’t)

Cleveland’s representative condemns action of the whites/ Cleveland calls for return of Liliuokalani

instead, Republic of Hawaii is established by white plantation owners ( Sanford Dole made president)

Congress resists using force against “their own” and votes to interfere no further in Hawaii

1898 –voted a territory

The Philippines

Rebellion vs. Spanish had been on-going

U.S. recognizes the rebels as rightful reps. of the people (led by Emilo Aguinaldo)

U.S. gains control and changes its mind► bloody war of occupation ensues

Independence in 1946

Insular Cases

Series of Supreme Court Cases that established that the constitution did not “extend with full force to the new *” territories

Gives Congress a free-hand in deals with the territories

* Bailey, Thomas. The American Pageant. Houghtin-Mifflin: Boston, 1998. p.656

The Great Republic is now an Empire. Will it meet the fate of history’s other great republic ?