U.S. Becomes a World
Power
Reasons for U.S. imperialism
• Business opportunities
•places to invest; overseas markets
• Racial superiority
•Anglo-Saxons destined to dominate the
world (Josiah Strong)
• European competition
• Need for military bases and coaling
stations (Henry C. Lodge; Alfred T. Mahan –
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History)
• Jingoism – aggressive nationalism
Opposition to Imperialism
Cost of empire outweighed benefits
(Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams, Mark
Twain)
Cheap foreign labor would lower wages
(union leaders)
Violated American principles
US had been a colony and fought for its
independence
Early U.S. Involvement in
Asia
1853 - Commodore
Matthew Perry opened
trade with Japan;
led to Westernization
of the country
By 1860s – U.S. traded
with both China
and Japan
U.S. Involvement in Hawaii
1820s - 50s – U.S. businessmen and
missionaries gained influence
in Hawaii
1880s – U.S. gained naval base at Pearl
Harbor
1891 – Liliuokalani became Queen of
Hawaii; wanted to end American
influence
1893 – Queen overthrown; Sanford Dole
became President of new republic
1898 – Hawaii annexed
U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana
Harbor
Enrique de Lome
letter-McKinley weak
Congress declared
war on Spain;
announced
Teller Amendment
•Dewey destroyed
Spanish fleet in
the Philippines
•American victories
at San Juan Hill
and Kettle Hill
•U.S. destroyed
Spanish fleet
at Santiago;
Spain surrendered
•U.S. and Spain
signed Treaty of
Paris
U. S. Acquired an Empire
Spain gave Cuba its independence
Spain gave U.S. Puerto Rico and
Guam
United States paid Spain $20
million for the Philippines
U.S. involvement in the
Philippines
•1899 - U.S. annexed the Philippines;
Filipinos declared war on the U.S.
•1901 – rebel leader
Aguinaldo captured
•1902 – Filipino rebels
surrendered; war ended
•1946 – Philippines gained
independence from U.S.
U.S. involvement in Cuba
1901 – Platt Amendment made Cuba a
protectorate -- gave U.S. the right to
intervene in Cuban affairs
establish a naval base at
Guantanamo Bay.
U.S. sent troops into Cuba four times
1934 - Platt Amendment revoked
Theodore Roosevelt
Youngest president ever
(42)
Became president when
McKinley was killed –
assassinated by an
anarchist
Powerful charisma and
war hero; reform minded,
headstrong; energetic
and enthusiastic
Pro-imperialism
U.S. Involvement in Asia
1899 – Open Door Policy
allowed U.S. to
trade with China
1900 – Boxer Rebellion in China to get rid
of foreign influence
“Big Stick” Diplomacy
T. Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy
1903
•Colombia rejected U.S. offer to build a
canal in Panama
•Panama revolted against Colombia
•U.S. sent warships to prevent Colombian
interference
•U.S negotiated canal treaty with Panama
1904
•“Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe
Doctrine” announced --U.S. could
intervene in Latin America to maintain
political or economic stability
1905
•U.S. sent troops to Dominican
Republic
•Roosevelt negotiated end to
Russo-Japanese War
1907
•Roosevelt sent “Great White
Fleet”
around the world
•“Gentlemen’s Agreement” limited
emigration from Japan to U.S.
1909 - President Taft
announced “dollar
diplomacy”
1911 – U.S. sent troops into
Nicaragua
1914
Panama Canal completed