10/16/12Imperialism: The United States Acquires an EmpireFactors-Economic development-U.S. Exports tripled between 1869 and 1900-National pride-Americans became seriously impressed by imperialism overseas and became eager for America to join the race for colonies.-Racial superiority-National mission-New Manifest DestinyCaptain Alfred T. Mahan-Doctrines became popular with Nationalists, Imperialists, and Militarists-Wrote a book in 1890 called The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, advocating that the U.S. should build up a large empire based on naval and commercial strength in order to prevent itself from being outdistanced by European competitors.Alaska-1867 U.S. acquired Alaska from Russia as a gesture of friendship-Secretary of State at the time was William H. Seward-Alaska was of little value at the time and thus became known as “Seward’s Folly” as he purchased in for $7.2 million.-Alaska became a state in 1959.Central & South Pacific-1867-1900: U.S. took possession of over 50 small islands that were sparsely or completely uninhabited-1867: Midway Islands-1899: made permanent what had been temporary control over several of the Samoan IslandsRevolt-Hawaiian Islands-Already a large American population in Hawaii-Treaty of Reciprocity, 1875 -Greatly enhances sugar trade-1890: Treaty of Reciprocity replaced, sugar planters lost favoritism they had-Annexation, becoming part of the U.S., considered the next best thing-1893-American faction in the islands stage revolution against Queen Liliuokalani-American Minister to Hawaii: John L. Stevens-Supported the revolution-Had American Marines land to preserve orderBenjamin Harrison-Supported annexation but left office before he could do anything about itGrover Cleveland-Incoming President-Appointed James H. Blount, an Anti-Imperialist, as Special Commissioner -After receiving Blount’s report, attempted to restore Queen Liliuokalani to her throne as long as she pardoned those who overthrew her – she refusedRepublic of Hawaii-July 4, 1894: revolutionary government declared itself the Republic of HawaiiAnnexation of Hawaii-Americans argued that if U.S. didn’t annex it, it might fall under control of another foreign power-Provide naval bases in the Pacific-Opportunities for commercial expansion and invest of American capital-Americans believed in manifest destiny, that they had the obligation to bringtheir superior culture and religion to Hawaii-Joint Resolution of Congress (joint resolution = simple majority)-President McKinley signed July 7, 1898-Hawaii becomes a territory of the United States (becomes a state in 1959)Spanish American War-Gave the U.S. an overseas empire-Shattered tradition of Isolation-Actively involved in world affairs-Underlying causes-U.S. had longstanding interest (in Cuba)-Presidents Polk and Pierce and Grant had tried to purchase Cuba from Spain-Growing investment in Cuba – sugar, tobacco-Series of revolts starting in 1868 brought Americans sympathy for Cuban Revolution-Yellow Journalism (exaggerated atrocities of Spanish and suffering of Cubans)-William Randolph Hearst, New York Journal-Joseph Pulitzer, New York World-Growing demand for intervention-Humanitarian grounds (“we ought to do something to help those poor Cubans”)-Achieving glory and empire, want to become important on the world stage-Imperialists-Militarists-Nationalists-American businessmen were some of the only groups against going to war – they thought it would upset valuable investments, thought they had more to lose from a war with Spain than continued revolts inCuba.-Immediate Causes-De Lome Letter-February 1898-Dupuy De Lome (Spanish minister to Washington) wrote a personal letter to a friend in Cuba and called President McKinley spineless and other horrible things but the letter wasintercepted and published in the New York Journal.-Sinking of the Maine-February 15, 1898-U.S. Battle Ship Maine blown up in Havana Harbor-“Remember the Maine!” became the battle cry-At least 260 deaths-Yellow press held Spain responsible without proof and called for war with slogan “Remember the Maine!”-War-U.S. wanted-Indemnity for the Maine (which ended up not being Spain’s fault at all)-Spain to abandon concentration camps in Cuba-Spain to end fighting with Cuban rebels-Spain to grant Cuban Independence-**Spain was willing to do all this except grant Cuban independence.-Teller Amendment-War produced quick and easy victory for United States-July 16, 1898: Spain completely crushed, asked for peace-460 Americans died from combat but more than 5200 died from disease (typhoid, yellow fever)-Treaty of Paris-Ended war-Signed 1898-U.S. received Guam and Puerto Rico-Granted Philippine Islands for payment of $20 million-Spain guaranteed Cuba’s independence and turned it over to U.S. for occupation-Secretary of State at the time John Hay called it a “splendid little war”-Long range significance-Brought about a change in foreign policy from isolation to foreign involvement-Brought U.S into close relationships with Latin American and Far East-U.S. now has a colonial empire-War marked emergence of U.S. as a world power in the Pacific and the Caribbean and a nation that had to be reckoned with in world affairs-Stimulated industrial activity and post war prosperityUnited States Empire-Hawaii-Philippines-Puerto Rico-Alaska-Guam-Virgin Islands-Panama Canal Zone-Pacific IslandsAll darker-skinned people who don’t speak EnglishManifest Destiny/”White Man’s Burden” – religious institutions believed it was theirobligation to come in and share their institutions with them to “civilize”
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