Doughton - History 4. Change and continuity in US foreign policy 1890-1941 Flashcards
American imperialism in the late nineteenth century
America before 1890
Up until 1880, the US had been mainly isolationist, with people unwilling to interfere with foreign affairs.
What were the US’s main motives for imperialism?
The duty of American to spread it’s civilisation (social Darwinism) i.e - expansionism, in which Roosovelt advocated for.
Arguments for imperialism
-To oversee possessions would provide American manufacturers with cheap raw materials.
-To compete with other countries that were expanding their empire.
-America was once a colony which fought for freedom.
-Duty of America to spread it’s civilization.
-Preclusive imperialism (take colonies to prevent other countries from doing so.
-Manifest destiny.
Arguments against imperialism
-Could lead to further entanglements like war.
-America did not treat its minorities well so it was unlikely that they were considering other minorities.
The Spanish American war
In 1898, the USA went to war with Spain, which most historians agree marked a change to a more active foreign and imperial policy. Cuba was on America’s doorstep and according to the Monroe Doctrine, was in the USA’s sphere of interest. However, Cuba was controlled by Spain but Cuban revolutionaries were demanding independence. Spain did offer the Cuban rebels concessions by not enough.
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The USA was unsure about how to react to either Spain or the rebels until two incidents resulted in war with Spain. A private letter from the Spanish minister in Washington DC was stolen and printed. It accused President McKinley of being a ‘weak bidder for the admiration of the crowd’ in his Cuban policy. McKinley and the American public found this very insulting. This was followed by the ‘Maine’ incident. In February 1898 with the (probably accidental) sinking of the ‘USS Maine’, killing 260 American sailors, they entered the war.
The Monroe doctrine
In 1823, President Monroe stated that he disliked European countries interfering in American affairs. They wanted to maintain a non-problematic relation with countries and avoid conflict. However, they wanted to be the dominant force in their region, and, in turn, they intervened in internal affairs of central and South America.
Why did USA go to war with Spain?
There has been much debate about the reasons for the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Overall, there were several reasons for US intervention:
Moral reasons (interest of Cuba)
-Putting the Monroe doctrine into action and showing support fir a fellow nation.
-Americans were genuinely outraged at the way prisoners were being treated in Cuba.
-‘Teller Ammendment’ - said that they had no desire to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control.
-Public interest.
Imperialist reasons (interest of USA)
-The historian Carl Degler, writing in the 1950s, suggested that it was due to economic reasons, with American seeking new markets in response to the 1893 Depression.
-It was partly inspired by an aggressive and patriotic press campaign that inflamed public opinion, known as the ‘Yellow Press’.
-The desire of the USA to join the ranks of the Great Powers in international influence.
-More recently historians such as Walter LaFeber have argued that McKinley favoured war as it was in the interests of the USA. Spain would be defeated quite easily and the USA would benefit from greater investment in Cuba as weel as increased trade.
Defeating Spain
In April 1898, US forces launched a double attack on Spanish territories. The navy attacked Spain in the Philippines and defeated its fleet outside Manila. The navy also played an important role in Cuba with one fleet under Rear Admiral Sampson blockading Santiago and the northern approaches to Cuba and a second fleet, under Commodore Winfield Schley, blockading the southern approaches to the island.
The results of the war
The USA therefore did not include or even seriously consider the Cubans in the final peace settlement with Spain, the Treaty of Paris, which was signed with Spain in August 1898. The Treaty stated that:
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-Cuban independence was recognised but the USA. -was allowed possession of Guantanamo Bay.
-Spain lost the last parts of its American empire by ceding Puerto Rico in the Caribbean to the USA.
-The USA was able to purchase the Philippines for $20 million.
-Spain also ceded the Pacific island of Guam to the USA.
The aftermath - the Plat Ammendment 1901
The Platt Ammendment stated that they were allowed to intervene to uphold stability in Cuba. Also granted them the right to maintain a base in Guatanamo Bay.
Did they stick to the Teller Ammendment?
Do you think America got involved out of self-interest?why?
No, not at all.
Yes. I believe that an imperialist sentiment was espoused when America realised the multitude of economic opportunities. They ventured under the justification of social Darwinism, so that they could uphold stability.
Overview of foreign and imperial policies-1890-1914
During the decade of 1890 the USA extended its influence in the Pacific and Latin America and fought a war against Spain which was a major turning point in American foreign and imperial policy.
Pacific
The US became increasingly involved in the Pacific in the 1890s.
Somoa
US actions in Samoa were an example of preclusive imperialism. America’s interest in Samoa first began in 1872 when the King of Samoa offered the USA the naval base of Pago Pago on the eastern island of Tutuila. Although this was refused, the USA was aware of increasing German and British interest in the area, with the German Trading and Plantation Company turning Samoa into the most important trading post in the Pacific. During a civil war in Samoa in 1898, the Americans and British supported the opposing side to that of the Germans. The following year the three powers abolished the Samoan monarchy and signed the Tripartite Convention in which Britain relinquished all rights to Samoa, the USA established a protectorate in Eastern Samoa while Western Samoa became a German colony. The British relinquished all rights to Samoa in return for being given other Pacific island chains formerly belonging to Germany.
Hawaii
In 1898, the USA annexed Hawaii. Hawaii was important as a stopping station on the way to Japan and China and US missionaries had settled there. Moreover, since 1875 the USA had imported Hawaiian sugar duty free and Hawaii became increasingly dependent on the US economy. By the 1890s, there were 3,000 American sugar growers out of the 90,000 Hawaiians living on the island. In 1887, the USA established its major Pacific naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. In 1890, the McKinley Tariff removed duties on raw sugar so the Hawaii growers lost their trading advantages began to suffer as a result of competition from other sugar interests, especially in Cuba. In 1891, the Hawaiian king died and the new queen, Liliuokalani, led a rebellion and American residents called for help for the USA. The marines arrived and within three days the rebels surrendered. The USA now planned to annex Hawaii because of its important location but was opposed by those who feared that America would become an imperial power, no better than the Europeans. However, the war with Spain in Cuba strengthened the arguments for annexation, which took place in July 1898.
Phillipines
The Philippines - As part of the Treaty of Paris, 1898, which ended the Spanish-American War, the USA was allowed to purchase the Philippine Islands from Spain for $20 million. There were various reasons for this purchase:
The reasons were :
-Many felt that the USA would be able to civilise to islanders through converting them to Christianity
as well as ‘superior’ American ideals
-In addition, there was preclusive imperialism. The fear was that the Philippines might be taken over by Britain, Germany or Japan
The islands could not be returned to Spain and the Filipinos, even though they wanted independence, seemed incapable of ruling themselves effectively
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There was strong opposition to the annexation of the islands both in the Philippines and in the USA. The Filipinos had been fighting for independence from Spain and assumed that once the Spanish were defeated, they would be given their independence. The USA had to fight a four-year war of subjugation, costing around $600 million and, by 1904, 126,00 troops were stationed in the Philippines.
Latin America
The USA looked to extend its influence in Latin America in terms of political influence and developing trade links. While there was no intention of annexing regions, US business interests sought to exploit South and Central America and in doing so raise their standards of living and quality of life.
Peurto Rico
The island was a Spanish colony but had been given a degree of independence before the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898. It was invaded in 1898 by American troops and, after a little fighting, the Spanish surrendered and withdrew. Under the Organic Act of 1900, Puerto Rico to be administered by the USA.
Venezuela
In 1895, Britain and Venezuela were in dispute over Venezuela’s border with the British colony of Guiana. President Cleveland demand that the British agree to send the dispute to arbitration, a demand which was, at first, rejected by Salisbury, the British Prime Minister. The British eventually backed down when the USA threatened to send 54 vessels to the disputed area. Arbitration eventually decided in favour of Venezuela.
1898 Spanish American War
Spanish American War = causes 1) Idealism, 2) Desire to assert American Power, 3) Media, 4) Monroe Doctrine
In essence, Monroe Doctrine= Cuba was very close
Took until 11th April for Mckinley to gain approval from Congress to go to war- wanted a negotiated settlement but the mood of the people was for war= public opinion. Publication of a letter by Spanish Ambassador criticising the President - this caused an outcry
Foreign and imperial policy, 1901-1912
Under President Roosovelt and Taft, the US continued to protect and extend its influence in Latin America as well as the Far West. Roosovelt in particular, relished the opportunities that the presidency gave him for control of foreign and imperialist affairs.
Why was Cuba of interest?
1) Cuba’s strategic and economic position. = it controlled the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and from there the USA could trade with South America
2) If the Panama Canal was built it would increase it’s strategic importance
3) Some argued that it was part of it’s Manifest Destiny for Cuba to be part of the USA (only 200km away)
4) The US had $50 million invested in Cuba- tobacco and sugar- 86% of all exports went to the US. Cuban independence could lead to damage to American property and business.
Latin America
The period after the Spanish-American war showed a marked increase in US interest and direct involvement in Latin America. During the same speech that Roosovelt gave to congress in 1904, he announced a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which become known as the Roosovelt corollary (US armed intervention in Latin America when it felt necessary to prevent financial and/or political collapse.
Panama canal
USA long supported the building of a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, An American company, the New Panama Canal company encouraged by Roosovelt, took over the rights to build the new canal. However, Columbia demanded money from US. Roosovelt refused. In 1903 the Panamanians staged a revolt for independence from the rule of Columbia and were supported by the US. Panama achieved independecne and accepted US’s offer of $10mil for a strip of land to build the canal. Canal completed in 1914. ROOSEVELT SENT CRUISE SHIP NASHVILLE TO STOP COLOMBIANS RETAKING PANAMA
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-Canal great benefit
-Lease bought from de Lesseps 1901 america unhappy that lease negotiations were being stalled by Colombia
-November 1903 a Panamanian revolution broke out (organised by canal company employee) Roosevelt sent cruise ship Nashville to stop
-Colombians retaking Panama America recognised the rebel govt. and in return was granted control of the canal zone
EVALUATION= TR DECISIVE DID NOT WAIT FOR APPROVAL OF CONGRESS POWER OF PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE INCREASES
1904
-When Venezuela defaulted on debts a combined fleet arrived from Italy, Germany and Britain
-America wanted to see no European presence which could possibly lead to an attempt to take bases
-As a result TR amended the Monroe Doctrine with the Roosevelt Corollary= this stated that to preserve order the US had the right to intervene in the affairs of other countries on the continent in cases of ‘chronic wrongdoing or impotence’= used to justify taking over the finances of the Dominican Republic 1905, military intervention in Nicaragua in 1912 and in Haiti 1918
The far east - China
Unlike GB Russia and Germany the USA had no desire to expand territorially into China
US Secretary of State John Hay realised that many Americans would oppose any acquisition of territory and instead introduced ‘open door’ policy with China with the first open door note asking states to respect each others trading rights in China even in each others spheres of interest
Evaluation
American foreign and imperial policy had undergone significant changes 1890-1912, at beginning USA was mainly isolationist with minimal intervention abroad. there was limited support for imperial expansion
However, by 1912 USA had become involved in its first major external conflict in nearly 100 years, moreover there was great support for imperial expansion with the USA extending its influence in the Pacific, Philippines and Samoa, the Far East, esp. China and Latin America inc. Cuba
TR helped bring peace in the Far East
Expanded power in Latin America
The Great White Fleet signaled America’s power and presence letting world see what America has got
Theadore Roosovelt
He believed that the world was polarized into the civilized and barbaric and that it was the duty of the civilized, Christian nations - such as the USA - to support backward and lawless nations, even if that meant using force.
The Roosovelt Corollary
-This sanctioned US armed interventions in Latin America when it felt necessary to prevent financial or/and political collapse.
-This was used to justify much more US military involvement in Latin America. Roosovelt insisted that countries in Latin America had to pay off their debts from loans.
-Roosovelt saw America as a political force, to ensure responsible behaviour and protect other countries.
Theadore Roosovelt’s foreign policy overview 1901-1909
What he did - 1
In 1903 the USA intervened in a dispute between Columbia and the inhabitants of the Panama, resulting in the independence of Panama and a treaty favouring the USA. This entrusted the USA with the construction and operation of a canal joining the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean, giving the USA enormous strategic and commercial.
THIS WAS IMPERIALIST.
What he did - 2
In Cuba independence was dominated by US influence and the country became, in effect, an economic colony of the USA. The Cubans were forced to accept the Platt Ammendment, which gave the USA the right to intervene in Cuba if it’s independence or stable government was threatened. It also permitted Americans to establish a permanent naval base in Guatanamo Bay.
THIS WAS IMPERIALIST.
What he did - 3
American economic power also dominated Central America with US corporations united fruit and American tobacco companies dominating local economies.
THIS WAS IMPERIALIST.
What he did - 4
The secretary state John Hay announced an open door policy whereby all foreign Nations should have the same commercial access to China. He also stated that the USA would protect China’s independence and territory.
NO, THIS WAS NOT IMPERIALIST
What he did - 5
US intervention was emphasized by Roosovelt’s Amendment of the Monroe Doctrine known as the Roosovelt Corollary ; this asserted that the USA could intervene in Caribbean countries, ‘however reluctantly’ , if they were threatened externally or internally.
YES, THIS WAS IMPERIALIST.
