Imperialism

 

  1. Emergence from withdrawal
    1. The late 19th Century marked a time when the US became less involved in world affairs – were more concerned about developing western land, fighting the civil war, and reconstruction issues.
    2. Continentalism – Belief that the US should acquire no land outside of its territories—reasons include:

                                                               i.      It was against American principles to govern without consent of the governed

                                                             ii.      The US should stay out of foreign entanglements

                                                            iii.      The cost of developing and maintaining a naval force – the US had one of the weakest navies in the world.

                                                           iv.      Racism – the wish to refrain from bringing other races and traditions into the US.

    1. “Twisting the lions tail” – in disputes with Great Britain the US often claimed Monroe Doctrine rights, or sought assistance from other anti-Great Britain countries.  The goal was to obtain land and/or rights without having to fight for them.
  1. Reasons for Imperialism
    1. Missionary movements – God chose to make the US the “best” country and government, therefore it was God’s wish that other lesser parts of the world be shown the “true way”. Josiah Strong in Our Country – “…the Anglo-Saxon was divinely commissioned to be, in a peculiar sense, his brother’s keeper”.
    2. Social Darwinism – the strongest nations and races must control the weaker ones.
    3. Fear of losing out in the carving up of the world by other nations

                                                               i.      Led to expansion of Navy at behest of Captain Alfred Mahan “America must now begin to look outward.”

                                                             ii.      Africa and Asia were being divided and colonized by European nations

    1. Expansion would divert attention of those suffering from Depression of 1893, and would provide a market for surplus goods grown in US.
  1. Jingoism – spirit found in the US claiming superiority and chauvinism-- E.L. Godkin “The number of men and officials in this country who are now mad to fight somebody is appalling”.
    1. Chile – war was almost declared when 2 US sailors were killed on leave in Valparaiso.  Chile formally apologized to avoid war.
    2. British Guiana and Venezuela – dispute over territorial rights where gold was discovered.  US told Britain that under Monroe Doctrine the US should decide the issue.  Britain declined the US offer originally, but when Congress made war noises, Britain backed down.
    3. Hawaii – Protestant missionaries to Hawaii were followed by rich planters (Dole family and others).  A tariff on sugar hurt the planters who responded by overthrowing the King and asking to be annexed by the US. (They formed their own government).

                                                               i.       Queen Liliuokalani took over islands and tried to remove the planters – she backed down when a US warship was positioned off the coast.

                                                             ii.       Pres. Cleveland takes over at this point and speaks out against annexation, but is unable to restore Liliukalani’s power.

                                                            iii.      Hawaii was eventually annexed by Pres. McKinley in July 1898.

  1. War with Spain
    1. Cuba complained about Spanish mismanagement – civil wars broke out in 1868-1878, and in 1895.
    2. Spain responded with the policy of “reconcentracion” – or putting all Cubans in concentration camps which killed approx. 13% of Cubans.
    3. US press exaggerated the conditions (which were bad without exaggeration) and called for action against Spain.

                                                               i.      “Yellow Journalism” the tabloid styles of William Randolph Hearst in the New York Journal, and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World.  Both sent photographers to Cuba who posed exploitive pictures.

    1.  Protestant journals called for action against Spain for moralistic reasons
    2. Teddy Roosevelt and other imperialists were for war for reasons of conquest and expansion
    3. McKinley tried to reduce level of tension between the 2 countries, but was forced into action by:

                                                               i.      De Lome letter – Spanish Minister to US sent a letter which was intercepted calling McKinley weak and ineffective, and said that Spain should continue ruling by force because the US would do nothing.

                                                             ii.      Explosion of the Maine –US battleship explodes off coast of Cuba – Yellow press cries “Remember the Maine” to US readers.  Ironically the Maine probably blew up due to a faulty boiler, but Spain is blamed. 

    1. McKinley tells Spain to abandon reconcentracion and grant Cuban independence.
    2. Congress votes to recognize Cuba as an independent nation on April 19th, 1898

                                                               i.      Teller Amendment – promised not to annex Cuba, and gave them the right to self-government if the US fought Spain.

    1. Spain declares war April 24th.  US declares war on April 25th.
  1. “The Splendid Little War”
    1. US wins first battle – George Dewey attacks the Philippines and destroys the Spanish Navy there. The thought was that Cuba would be the 1st target.
    2. More US citizens volunteered to fight than could be supplied with provisions.
    3. More soldiers died from illness than from fighting
    4. US navy blockaded Cuba and destroyed Spanish navy with little loss of US life.
    5. Teddy Roosevelt becomes famous by leading his “rough riders” at the battle of Kettle Hill (next to San Juan hill).
    6. Puerto Rico was captured by US army aided by Puerto Rican natives
    7. Armistice agreement – Spain gives US Guam, Puerto Rico, gives up control of Cuba, and sells Philippines to US for $20 million.
  2. Debate over the Philippines
    1. Philippine natives do not want to be part of US
    2. Armistice treaty must be ratified by the Senate

                                                               i.      Most Americans were in favor of annexation

                                                             ii.      Anti-Imperialists included William Jennings Bryan, and many “intellectuals” across the country.

                                                            iii.      Bryan backs down – he decides to use the issue in the Presidential campaign, and Senate ratifies the treaty.

    1. Filipinos revolt against the US – demand independence. US fight Filipinos for the next 4 years, more people die in this fight, than in the entire war with Spain.
  1. Other Imperialist issues
    1. Cuba – US takes control of Cuba – passes the Platt Amendment

                                                               i.      Limits power of Cuba to make treaties, borrow money, or institute their own policies.  They must get US permission.

                                                             ii.      Forces Cuba to sell land to US to use as a military base (Guantanamo Bay).

    1. China – Open Door Policy

                                                               i.      US attempt to keep China available for US interests – only Great Britain agreed, this effectively kept the US out of China.

                                                             ii.      Boxer Rebellion – Chinese religious group protests presence of other nations in their country – captures and kills 231 foreigners.

1.      US and other nations send in military to stop the uprising.

2.      Chinese are forced to pay reparations to invading nations

3.      US is given $25 million, $10 million of which is returned by US – used to fund scholarships for Chinese students

    1. Effect of war in US – war pulls US out of Depression, and elevates standing of US military in eyes of world. 

                                                               i.      Ends Populist Party – farmers have more places to sell crops, and Depression is over

                                                             ii.      McKinley wins reelection over Bryan – prestige of winning the war so easily leads to victory.

                                                            iii.      Formation of Social Democratic Party – Eugene Debs is leader of movement calling for the rights of the worker.