THE US BECOMES AN EMPIRE

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Catching the Spirit of Empire

Domestic concerns dominated the post-Civil War years

1870s bring new interest in areas beyond U.S. boundaries

Internationalism began to replace nationalism

Reasons for Expansion

Expansion abroad sought to gain markets

Evolutionary ideas encourage expansion to give guidance to native peoples elsewhere

Foreign Policy Approaches: 1867-1900

Expansionist foreign policy Acquisitions: Alaska, Midway Islands Erode European influence in Latin

America– diverts Latin American trade from Europe

through a series of treaties

The New Navy Overseas markets are essential for

industrial surpluses Large merchant marine, strong navy

needed A program of naval construction is

initiated U.S. gains offensive capability at sea

On the road to war with the super power of the time- Spain. It resulted in …

The war increased overseas possessions

U.S. recognition as a “world power”

Americans became convinced they had a special destiny (again?)

A War for Principle February, 1895--rebellion in Cuba "Yellow Journalism" whips up U.S.

sentiment to favor Cuban independence February, 1898--explosion of the

“Maine” April 19--Congress declares Cuba

independent April 25--U.S. declares war on Spain

The Spanish-American War

"A Splendid Little War"

U.S. regular army small, ill-prepared Problems of equipment and supply

– regulars possess latest Krag-Jorgensen rifles

– Guard units possess old Springfield rifles

The Course of the War

May 1--Commodore George Dewey captures Manila Bay

June--Cuba invaded July--Santiago surrenders, Puerto Rico

occupied August 13--Philippines surrender

Spanish-American War: Pacific Theater

Spanish-American War: Caribbean Theater

Acquisition of Empire

December 1898--Treaty of Paris– Cuba independent– U.S. takes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines

The Treaty of Paris Debate

Debate over annexation of the Philippines

Opponents formed the Anti-Imperialist League (see next slides)

February, 1899--ratification of peace treaty makes U.S. a colonizing nation

Anti-Imperialist LeagueOn June 15, 1898, the Anti-imperialist league formed to fight U.S. annexation of the Philippines, citing a variety of reasons ranging from the economic to the legal to the racial to the moral. It included among its members such notables as Andrew Carnegie and Mark Twain. Following the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the league began to decline and eventually disappeared.

American Empire, 1900

World Colonial Empires, 1900

Governing the Empire Supreme Court permits selective application of

Constitution to new territories Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico organized as

territories, inhabitants made U.S. citizens Navy controls Guam Cuban constitution ends U.S. occupation Platt Amendment--U.S. given right to intervene

in Cuban affairs and Guantanamo to use as a naval base.

Outcome of the War with Spain

Teddy Roosevelt a war hero Set back the cause of civil rights for

African Americans Confirms Republicans as majority party U.S. soldiers stationed outside the

country

Today …