American Imperialism

American Imperialism

• Three reasons Americans supported imperialism: desire for military strength, desire for new economic markets, and belief in American superiority.

Hawaiian Annexation

• US business leaders took control of Hawaii, and it was annexed in 1898.

Economic Roots of Imperialism

• Industrial overproduction in the US led to the need for raw materials from abroad and new markets for surplus US products.

Military and Political Roots of Imperialism

• Global military expansion of European powers (France, UK) led to US desire to expand its military presence.

Cuba's Wars for Independence

• First war prompted heavy economic investment in Cuba; second war caused concern about American investments.

Events Leading to War with Spain

• Two events led to war: De Lome letter and the sinking of the USS Maine.

Territorial Gains from the War with Spain

• US gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Yellow Journalism

• Exaggerated news reporting in newspapers and magazines to make it more exciting.

Territorial Changes after the Spanish-American War

• Cuba gained independence from Spain; Puerto Rico and Guam went from Spanish to American rule; Philippines was sold by Spain to the US and then annexed.

Puerto Rican Resentment

• Resentment towards US control due to loss of political representation, economic exploitation, and limits on personal freedom.

US Protection of Business Interests in Cuba

• Platt Amendment added to Cuban Constitution, limiting Cuba's rights to make treaties with other nations.

Aguinaldo's Betrayal

• Believed the US had betrayed the Filipinos after helping them win independence, and that the US was doing the same thing as Spain.

Open Door Notes

• Issued by John Hay to ensure China's ports remained open and China remained independent.

American Attitudes towards Imperialism

• McKinley's reelection showed that Americans supported imperialism.

Concentration Camps

• General Weyler of Spain was responsible for placing hundreds of thousands of Cubans in barbed-wire concentration camps.

Destruction of the Spanish Fleet

• George Dewey was responsible for destroying the Spanish fleet at Manila.

Imperialism Definition

• Policy of extending a nation's authority over other countries by economic, military, and political means.

William Seward's Importance

• Secretary of State under Lincoln and Johnson, arranged US purchase of Alaska from Russia.

Jose Marti's Importance

• Political activist who worked for Cuban independence, led a rebellion in the second war of independence in 1895.

The Rough Riders

• Voluntary fighting cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt in Cuba.

Treaty of Paris Terms

• Granted Cuba independence, Spain gave Puerto Rico and Guam to the US, and the US paid Spain 20 million for the annexation of the Philippine Islands in 1898.

Platt Amendment

• Provisions in the Cuban constitution that gave the US broad rights in that country.

Protectorate Definition

• A country that is partially controlled by another stronger country.

Open Door Notes

• Letters addressed to the leaders of imperialist nations, proposing that nations share their trading rights with the US.

Boxer Rebellion Causes

• Europeans dominated most of China's large cities, leading to resentment and the formation of secret societies to rid the country of foreign interests.