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Period: to
U.S. Global Imperialism
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Spanish-American War
See notes from class/textbook -
Annexation of Hawaii
By the 1890s, Hawaii was seen as an important commercial and military asset (naval bases). A new queen reigned in the 1890s, and created a new constitution that helped native Hawaiians, at the expense of wealthy white planters. The U.S. assisted the planters in a rebellion, gaining control of the islands. The question of annexing Hawaii arose, and a widespread debate emerged between imperialists and anti-imperialists (native Hawaiians were of course resistant). Ultimately, it was annexed. -
Annexation of the Philippines
The U.S. struggled to maintain control of the Philippines after the Treaty of Paris. The Filipinos led a guerilla-war resistance against American occupation, and a war of intense brutality and violence ensued (as many as one million Filipino civilians may have died). The war called many to question whether or not maintaining an empire was worth it, and this strengthened the arguments of the Anti-Imperialist league. -
"Open Door Policy" with China
By the late 1800s, China had been carved up by major European powers, who created "spheres of influence" for each country to control and trade with. Fearing the U.S. would be left out, the U.S. negotiated an "Open Door Policy," which ensured that all the major powers (including the U.S.) would be allowed free trade in China. But this was not popular in China, and insurgents called "Boxers" led a rebellion, which was quickly suppressed! -
Platt Amendment
Although the U.S. had promised the Cubans independence after the S-A War, it remained an occupied zone for several years. To be fair, the U.S. did help improve sanitation and infrastructure in Cuba while occupiers. Still, Cuban officials were forced to sign the Platt Amendment. It allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and to buy or lease land for naval bases. The Platt Amendment was repealed in 1934, although the naval base at Guantanomo Bay is still in operation. -
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
Roosevelt believed that with foreign policy, the U.S. should wield a "big stick," or use it's strength. He applied this with his Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Whereas the Monroe Doctrine warned European nations from colonizing in the New World, this added to it: Roosevelt claimed that the U.S. had the right to act as "policemen" of the Western Hemisphere, using military force to ensure peace and order in countries! This was used to justify various U.S. military actions in Latin America. -
Panama Canal
The U.S. recognized that a canal through Panama would make trade much easier (instead of going around South America). Since Panama was a territory belonging to Colombia, Pres. Roosevelt encouraged and supported a revolution against Colombia. Once Panama was independent, Roosevelt seized control of the canal, which greatly cut shipping costs. The canal was not returned to Panama until the 1970s! -
Taft- "Dollar Diplomacy"
In contrast to Roosevelt's call for the use of police force in foreign policy, Taft argued the U.S. should encourage and protect American trade and investments abroad. This would in turn advance American interests. In Nicaragua, for example, Taft supported a revolt that put a U.S.-friendly leader in power, and then encouraged loans to invest in the new regime. Even though the new gov't was corrupt, Taft wanted to protect American investments, so he sent in marines to suppress resistance. -
Wilson- "Moral Diplomacy"
In contrast to Taft's "Dollar Diplomacy," Wilson believed foreign policy should be dominated by the spreading of American ideals like human rights, liberty, and opportunity, not economic investment or force. He believed all peoples had the right to "self-determination," or "self-rule!" Wilson applied this in Mexico, when he intervened to help a leader take power who supported both democracy and U.S. businesses. Turmoil after U.S. intervention (and WWI), however, led Wilson to pull troops.