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Reasons for the Growth of American Imperialism
- America had always wanted to expand
- Want to join European forces, needed to be on that side of the world first
- Was following the trends and didn’t want to miss out
- Wanted to be seen as powerful and be feared
- Needed a way to travel through oceans more efficiently
- Wanted access to other markets -
America’s acquisition of Alaska
- William Seward supported American expansion
- He was a secretary of state
- 1867 America organized buying Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million dollars
- Many did not support this as it was “a frozen wasteland”
- Alaska was full of natural resources, even oil -
America’s acquisition of Hawaii
- Missionaries built schools and churches on the islands
- Next gens became sugar farmers, sold crops to US
- American-owned plantations started hiring cheaper labor from foreign countries
- Tariffs changed competition with other countries in sugar market
- Annex would take away tax
- Queen wanted to remove law that only let landowners vote
- Revolution (business groups) overthrew queen
- Hawaii was annexed and became a state in 1959
- Natives never got a say -
- Cuba wanted independence from Spain
- When Cuba rebelled, the US supported them
- A Spanish general was sent to restore peace, Valeriano Weyler, but he turned parts of Cuba into concentration camps
- Exaggerated stories of the camps reached the US making more people sympathize with Cubans and support their war efforts
- At first diplomatic efforts were made to prevent a war and solve the cruel treatment, but a letter was leaked calling McKinley weak
- US declared war on Spain
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- Teller amendment showed no want to take over Cuba
- Treaty of Paris granted Cuba independence
- Cuba was occupied by US troops
- Same Spain officials stayed in office
- US gov gave food and clothing, helped farmers, improved sanitation, education, and medical needs
- Platt amendment by the US added to Cuba’s constitution and limited independence
- US was using Cuba for business in sugar, tobacco mining, and railroads
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- Philippines did not like Treaty of Paris which took away their freedom
- Emilio Aguinaldo led revolt for freedom
- Revilt used guerilla warfare tactics
- US forced them to live in areas with terrible conditions
- After 3 years rebellion was settled
- Around 20,000 Filipinos died alongside 4,000 Americans
- $400 million was spent in the war, 20x what US paid to buy the islands
- US set up gov similar to Puerto Rico
- Independence was granted July 4th 1946
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- China was known for its good markets but was seen as weak from foreign influence
- Other countries had economic privileges and US wanted a part
- John Hay made open door notes asking for leaders to share their trading rights with US
- Wanted no single nation to have a monopoly on trade
- Europeans dominated most of China, leading to martial arts groups boxing out many foreigners
- War known as Boxer Rebellion
- 2nd part to open door notes showed US support for protecting China during trade
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- Puerto Ricans feared they would lose self-rule once US was in charge
- Luis Muñoz Rivera, statesman and publisher was a large advocate of self-rule
- Some wanted statehood
- Was controlled by military during Spanish-American war
- Foraker Act ended military control
- US had power to appoint government
- Puerto Rice could only elect lower-house members
- US citizenship was extended
- Allowed to elect their own gov in 1917
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- Teddy became president after McKinley was killed
- He did not want Europe controlling the world
- He settled a war between Russia and Japan
- Figured out how to navigate through Central America
- Helped Panama gain freedom
- Oversaw building of Panama Canal
- Roosevelt Corollary threatened anyone who messed with Latin America
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- Wilson stated US would not recognize any state whose views did not align
- Pressured West to make democratic gov
- Wilson ordered troops to go to a Mexican port after they arrested US sailors
- He didn’t like Huerta in charge
- Recognized Carranza gov instead
- Ordered soldiers to capture Villa, a rebel nationalist, dead or alive
- US invasion of Mexico set the tone for attitude toward imperialism