Imperialist Policies of the Early 20th Century

President Taft's foreign policy, which emphasized using American economic power to protect American interests abroad.

Wilson's approach to foreign policy was rooted in moralistic ideals, promoting democracy and self-determination for other nations.

The period before the 20th century saw a change in American foreign policy shifting from isolationism to imperialism, fueled by factors like industrial expansion, desire for new markets, and the closing of the American frontier. This shift led to the expansion of American overseas influence and involvement in global affairs.

Alfred Thayer Mahan, a prominent naval strategist, asserted that control of the seas was vital for national power and global dominance. His ideas influenced American naval expansion and imperial ambitions.

The United States' intervention in the Venezuela boundary dispute with Britain in 1895 was a major demonstration of America's assertive foreign policy and its growing power in the Western Hemisphere.

Hawaii's Queen Liliuokalani was forced from power in 1893 by a group of American businessmen and politicians who sought to annex Hawaii to the United States. This was driven by economic interests and a desire to secure a strategic base in the Pacific.

Cuban insurgents, seeking independence from Spanish rule, waged a scorched-earth policy against Spanish interests in Cuba.

The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 fueled public outrage and fueled American calls for war against Spain, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

The Teller Amendment, passed by the U.S. Congress before the Spanish-American War, declared that the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba after the war. It aimed to assure the Cuban people that the U.S. intervention was purely to aid Cuban independence. However, the Platt Amendment eventually established American control over Cuban foreign policy.

The Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt, were a volunteer cavalry regiment that fought in the Spanish-American War, particularly in the Battle of San Juan Hill. The Rough Riders were a key part of the American victory in the war and symbolized the spirit of American expansionism.

The Treaty of Paris in 1898 ended the Spanish-American War, officially ceding Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the U.S. and allowing for the U.S. acquisition of the Philippines. This treaty marked a significant shift in American foreign policy from isolationism to imperialism. The Philippines was not immediately granted independence, leading to an armed insurrection against American rule, known as the Philippine-American War.

American imperialists argued that acquiring the Philippines was strategically advantageous for American naval operations, expanding trade with Asia, and providing an opportunity for Christian missionary work. This argument emphasized the economic benefits of acquiring the Philippines.

Anti-imperialists argued against acquiring the Philippines, claiming it violated the principles of American democracy, might lead to despotism at home, and could involve the U.S. in costly and dangerous conflicts in Asia. This perspective opposed colonial expansion and favored freedom and self-determination for other nations.

The Insular Cases, a series of Supreme Court rulings, determined that the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, did not automatically apply to U.S. territories acquired through imperialism. This ruling had significant impacts on the rights and political status of people living in these territories.

The Platt Amendment, included in Cuba's constitution, granted the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba's affairs and established a naval base at Guantanamo Bay. Thus, despite claims of Cuban independence, the U.S. maintained significant influence and control over Cuba.

The Philippine-American War (1899-1902) was a violent conflict between the U.S. and Filipino nationalist forces who sought independence after the Spanish-American War. The U.S. ultimately won, but the war demonstrated the complexities and challenges of American imperialism.

The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) in China was an anti-foreign uprising aimed at expelling foreign influence and missionaries from China.

The Roosevelt Corollary, an addendum to the Monroe Doctrine, asserted the right of the U.S. to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European intervention, particularly in debt-ridden nations. This policy was criticized for its strong-arm tactics and fueled anti-American sentiment.

Theodore Roosevelt's

The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) was a conflict between Russia and Japan over control of Korea and Manchuria. Japan's victory surprised the world and marked the rise of Japan as a major power in East Asia.

In 1905, Theodore Roosevelt brokered the Treaty of Portsmouth to end the Russo-Japanese War, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize. However, this diplomatic achievement also led to increased tensions between the U.S. and Japan.

The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907-1908 was a secret agreement between the U.S. and Japan in which Japan agreed to restrict emigration to the U.S. in exchange for the repeal of a racist San Francisco school board decree that segregated Japanese children. This compromise attempted to mitigate growing anti-Japanese sentiment in the U.S.

The Root-Takahira Agreement of 1908 was a treaty between the U.S. and Japan that confirmed the mutual respect for each other's territorial possessions in the Pacific Ocean. This agreement aimed to reduce tensions and establish a framework for cooperation between the two nations.

The New Left revisionists argued that U.S. expansionism was driven by economic goals, namely expanding American economic dominance and securing foreign markets and investments. This interpretation highlights the economic motives behind American imperialism.

Historians have argued that racial and gender ideologies were intertwined with American imperialism. The perception of other nations as racially inferior and the belief that American masculinity was in decline contributed to the justification for imperial expansion.