toward an american empire
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Toward an American Empire. The U.S. Looks Outward, Beyond North America. U.S. expansion shifts after 1890 & the defeat of the Plains Indians Strategically placed islands taken, initially intended as colonies. Catching the Spirit of Empire. Domestic concerns dominated the post-Civil War years - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Toward an American Empire
U.S. expansion shifts after 1890 & the defeat of the Plains Indians
Strategically placed islands taken, initially intended as colonies
The U.S. Looks Outward, Beyond North America
Domestic concerns dominated the post-Civil War years
But the1870s brought new interest in areas beyond U.S. boundaries
Catching the Spirit of Empire
Expansion abroad sought to gain markets Evolutionary ideas encouraged expansion to
give “guidance” to native peoples elsewhere
Missionary spirit (see Josiah Strong's popular Our Country, published in 1885)
Reasons for Expansion
Expansionist foreign policy Acquisitions: Alaska, Midway Islands Efforts to erode European influence in Latin
America◦ Diversion of Latin American trade from Europe
through a series of reciprocity treaties◦ U.S. support of Venezuela against Great Britain
Foreign Policy Approaches: 1867-1900
1875--U.S. allows free importation of Hawaiian sugar
Queen Liliuokalani retaliates for McKinley Tariff, attempts to reduce U.S. influence
1893--American settlers pull off coup 1898--Hawaii made U.S. possession 1872--U.S. granted port facilities in Samoa 1899--U.S. shares control with Germany
The Lure of Hawaii and Samoa
Hawaiian & Samoan Islands
Alfred Mahan argues that overseas markets are essential for industrial surpluses
Large merchant marine, strong navy needed
1889--Secretary of Navy Benjamin Tracy supervises a program of naval construction CARNEGIE’S INVOLVEMENT
U.S. gains offensive capability at sea
The New Navy
The war increased overseas possessions It also gained the U.S. recognition as a
“world power” Many more Americans became convinced
they had a special destiny
War with Spain
February, 1895--rebellion in Cuba "Yellow press" whips up U.S. sentiment to
favor Cuban independence McKinley gains Spanish concessions February, 1898--explosion of the Maine April 19--Congress declares Cuba
independent April 25--U.S. declares war on Spain
For Some, A War for Principle
U.S. regular army small, ill-prepared Problems of equipment and supply Most soldiers fight in National Guard units
"A Splendid Little War"
African Americans serve in army Guard units
Black troops resist segregation African American soldiers win 26
Certificates of Merit, 5 Congressional Medals of Honor
Overt racism in Philippines
Race & the War
May 1--Commodore George Dewey captures Manila Bay
June--Cuba invaded July--Puerto Rico occupied August 13--Philippines surrender
The Course of the War
Spanish-American War: Pacific Theater
Spanish-American War: Caribbean Theater
Fate of the Philippines was the thorniest issue at the peace negotiations
December 1898--Treaty of Paris◦ Cuba independent◦ U.S. takes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines
Acquisition of Empire
Debate over annexation of the Philippines Opponents formed the Anti-Imperialist
League February, 1899--ratification of peace treaty
makes U.S. a colonizing nation
The Treaty of Paris
American Empire, 1900
1898-1901--Emilio Aguinaldo leads Philippine independence movement
“Water Treatment” 1901--U.S. replaces military with civil rule
◦ local self-government permitted◦ schedule established for independence
July 4, 1946--Philippine independence
Guerrilla Warfare in the Philippines
World Colonial Empires, 1900
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,
but: Platt Amendment gives U.S. the right to
intervene in Cuban affairs
Governing the U.S. Empire
March, 1900--"Open Door" policy in China◦ no European nation should carve out a sphere of
influence in China and exclude others from trading in the area
Policy opens the potential for later conflict with expansion-minded powers in Pacific
The Open Door
Teddy Roosevelt a war hero Re-establishes Republicans as majority
party U.S. soldiers stationed outside the
country
Outcome of the War with Spain