The United States in the Caribbean 1776-1985

Background

The Caribbean has had a long relationship with the United States (US), its northern neighbour.

The US has influenced the politics, economy and lifestyle up to date.

Why was US so interested ?

How did they got involved ?

Background• US independence from Britain in 1777 – war

of independence.• Manroe Doctrine - ordered by James Monroe

in 1823• Colonize – to establish, acquire and keep.

The Monroe Doctrine• A policy statement issued in 1823 by the

president; James Monroe.• warn European countries that the Americas was

closed to further ownership/colonisation by European countries.

• America would regard any attempt to re-colonise any territory that had gained its independence as a direct threat to the US.

The Monroe Doctrine

This policy kept All European powers always from Caribbean countries and gave America the power to enter colonies as they wish or see fit.

For European countries to come in and own any country they had to __________________

The warning was mainly for Spain who wanted to reclaim Latin American territories

Reasons for US interest in the Caribbean

Trade and investment - Market

Expansion – needed to control

Defense – aid in war

US ideology – US was a super power

Trade and Investment• The US businessmen had built and invested in a

number of industries, they needed market for their goods. Opportunities were present in the Spanish Speaking Caribbean.

• The Caribbean represented a large potential market for US-manufactured goods. This would further encourage the growth of industry, thus the creation of wealth.

• The Caribbean possessed a variety of raw materials that the US wished to exploit in its own economic interest. Agricultural enterprises such as sugar and banana attracted US investors at first, but bauxite, oil and tourism as well as railroads became increasingly important outlets for US investment up to 1962.

Expansion

Britain, France, Holland, Spain and Germany have all had their share in acquiring lands in the new world and elsewhere in China and Africa. There were still unnamed territories and the US wanted them to build up their empire.

There were countries with wealth still unclaimed; Cuba, Dominica, Puerto Rico,

US was moving into Mexican land. They purchased Texas, New Mexico and California in 1848.

Defense

The US was at war with many countries, they needed their neighbours to be their friend. One sure way is to own or neighbouring territories.

Its proximity influenced defense issues. The security of the US depended on its control of neighbouring territories to ensure the safety of its borders, citizens and property.

US Ideology

The US coined a term “Manifest Destiny.” The belief that the United States was destined by God to dominate the Western hemisphere 'from the Atlantic to the Pacific.‘ Most Americans bought into and held this idea and acted as conquers.

This belief resulted in a very aggressive and domineering attitude on the part of the US. It led to the Spanish-American War of 1898 between the United States and Spain.

• It was now time for US to own and control.

US policy during the first decades of the 20th century was nationalistic, expansionist and aggressive. It was based on the feeling of racial and cultural superiority of the American people." This ideology is often described as the big-stick policy and is often illustrated by actions such as the 'taking' of the Panama Canal from Colombia and the issuing of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904).

The United States' influence extended in most Caribbean territories. There objectives were:

• 1. The encouragement of trade• 2. The protection of US interests• 3. The formation of alliances to prevent

interference by other powers• 4. Regional support for US policies on the

international scene.

Areas US moved into

Cuba

Central America

Dominica

Puerto Rico

Panama

Why Central America

The California Gold Rush saw thousand going across to US. “forty- niners.” There were no railways, goods could only be taken by horse or wagon. New form of transport railway was needed. The idea was to build a canal linking the pacific and the Atlantic across Central America.

Britain opposed and tried to stop the canal scheme, she seized San Juan. They were asked to withdraw, but they refused. In 1850 they let up their hold and signed a treaty, called the Clayton- Bulwer treaty.

Why was US involved in Cuba ? - 1898

The United States (US) always had a deep interest in the island of Cuba. In the 1890s, Cuba fought Spain for its independence. One of the leaders of this struggle was the poet Jose Marti who died early in the struggle. Then US took an interest because of Spain brutal force in crushing the revolt

• . In addition, the US government became concerned about US investments (estimated to be over $50 million) as the conflict intensified.

• In 1898, the US military intervened in the conflict after the sinking of the ship the USS MAINE in the Havana harbour. Spain was easily defeated and by the Treaty of Paris in December 1898, the US assumed control of Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Cuba was granted independence and became the Republic of Cuba.

US in Cuba ; 1776 - 1870

Started in 1895 when Cubans started to rebel

against Spanish rule.

Cuba did not need Spain yet they

continued to taxed them and take profits

from business. Most of which were owned by

US companies.

US in Cuba ; 1776- 1860Leader

was José Marti

Spain sent troops to put things under control; they drove revolutionaries into

concentration camps, killed and mistreated

others.

The US did not agree with the treatment and

intervened because they had their

investment to protect.

US in Cuba

American businessmen called

them in to help protect lives and

property.

A ship warship was sent to Havana

harbour. The Maine

US in Cuba

In 1898 the Maine exploded. US was sure it

was done by Spain, so they started a war with them.

Many US politician did not agree because they

believed that US was using it as an excuse

to gain control of Cuba.

The TELLER AMMENDMENTS put

forward by H.M. Teller states that once

the war was over Cuba would be left

alone.

US & Spain: The Spanish American War

War with Spain was not only to defend Cuba but it was to

take all the Spanish Colonies.

US first attack the Philippines and

caused the Spanish to surrender on August 13, 1898. Next they moved

to Guam.

American armies then marched

through Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Spain was easily defeated

Agreement after the war“Paris Peace conference”

The Philippines Puerto Rico and Guam were now US territories but not states of the US. Spain was to be paid $20 million for

them.

Cuba would be in Cubans hands, but Americans would keep forces to maintain order until a proper

government was set up.

America and her new ColoniesThere were two groups

of opinion ; The Expansionist &

Isolationist.

Expansionist wanted to have

“mini-Americas”; countries gained

living and operating as Americans.

Isolationist wanted colonies

to rule themselves and America assist when needed.

Summary of Chapter• Monroe Doctrine• American war of independence• American ideology• Clayton-Bulwer treaty• US Central America and Cuba• The Spanish – American war• Jose Marti• Cuban independence• The Teller Amendment• The Platt Amendment

Class work1. When was the peace conference?2. When was the Paris Peace Treaty signed?3. Explain the Teller amendments.4. Why did the US intervene in Cuba in 1898?5. What happened to the Maine in Havana?6. What was Cuba’s issues with Spain?7. What attitude did the US have towards the Spanish?8. Name the countries involved in the Spanish-

American war.9. What was the Pilipino reaction to America’s

control ?

Home work1. What decision did the United States take on

Governance of Cuba and Puerto Rico ?2. Explain the Platt Amendments3. C ; 1794. Read pages 177-181 and:a. Prepare a presentation for class on the key ideas.b. Conduct an interview with Theodore Roosevelt

on the decisions and policies he made regarding the Caribbean colonies. (Columbia , Panama and other Latin America nations, Haiti, Dominica)

Home work