U.S. IMPERIALISM

Economic Interests

Strategic Security

1823 – The Monroe Doctrine

• U.S. Pres. James Monroe issues the “Monroe Doctrine”:

• “American Continents are not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by European powers”

Annexation of Hawaii

• 1893 – U.S. residents aided by U.S. Marines from the U.S.S. Boston docked in Oahu overthrow the monarchy of Queen Liliuokalani

• 5 years later the U.S. annexes Hawaii• Annexation is the legal merging of some

territory into another body – in this case, the United States

The Spanish-American War1898

• U.S. joins Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain. Spain is defeated – turns over colonies of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. (become U.S. territories)

• U.S. leaves military presence in Cuba – which is highly resented by Cubans

Rough Riders take San Juan Hill

Open Door Policy

• 1899 – Foreign countries have increasing Spheres of Influence in China

• U.S. Sec. of State John Hay proposes China have an “Open Door Policy” to ensure equal access to China by opening doors to all merchants

No foreign nation objects, thereby protecting U.S. trade in China and reducing tension between nations competing for spheres of influence

The Panama Canal1903

• U.S. Pres Theodore Roosevelt offers Colombia $10 Mil. Plus yearly payments to build canal through it’s province of Panama

• Colombia demands more $$$• U.S. encourages Panama to revolt (with the help of the

U.S. Navy) • Panama gains independence – in gratitude gives U.S. a 10

mile wide zone to build the canal.• 1,000’s of workers die from yellow fever, malaria,

bubonic plague over 10 yrs. Finished in 1914

The Roosevelt Corollary1904

• U.S. keeps military presence in Cuba, control of Panama Canal, and large investments in Central & South America

• To protect interests, Roosevelt issues a corollary (an extension) to the Monroe Doctrine: The U.S. has the right to be an “international police power” in the Western Hemisphere.

• Justifies U.S. interventions in Latin American politics & business – Latin American countries protest, but are powerless to stop U.S.

Speak Softly But Carry A Big Stick