The Start of Imperialism Flashcards
American Isolation
Caused from the Civil war and reconstruction of their inner workings. Trying to reconstruct the south, spending time to fil the west, and beginning mass industrialization.
Factors pushing for expansion
Markets
Needed new markets to sell the materials and natural resources gained from expanding west. Needed more raw materials. Fredrick Jackson Turner’s thesis about how the west is closed.
Factors pushing for expansion
White Man’s Burden
Want to help the people seen as less superior to the white race. See it as their job to protect the weak and convert them to their culture
Factors pushing for expansion
National Pride
They’ve grown into a strong country. Jingoism, an extreme level of national pride spread because of their strength and economic prowess. Yellow Journalism keeps getting involved in wars that aren’t the US’s and sees it as a disservice to not interfere with foreign affairs.
Alaska 1867
William H. Seward, the secretary of state took up Russia’s offer for Alaska’s territory. Pays 7.2 million dollars. This keeps Britain out of the western hemisphere, and introduces them to a gold mine.
Venezuela 1895-1896
Why interfere?
Britain and Venezuelan boarder is threatened by Britain because of a gold mine found. Both claimed the territory, and US intervenes, seeing it as a reach for land for Britain, and goes against the Monroe doctrine. US demands Britain agree to allow US to be the middle man in the country, and Britain agrees because tensions with Germany are rising
Venezuela 1895-1896
Results
Changes our relationship with Great Britain, called the Great Rapprochement, seeing them as their greatest ally. It gives validity to the monroe doctrine.
Hawaii 1898
It is a good military supply spot. They sign a treaty with the natives in 1887 for Pearl Harbor. White maericans who moved take over the government in the White Coup 1893. Many of the white sugar planters are hurt because of McKinely Tariff because they’re not considered a state. They overthrow Queen Liluakalani to get annexation, but Cleveland delays for five years until they’re brought into the county in 1898
Cuba
Cuban Revolt 1895
US was discontent with Cuba belonging to the Spanish. There is a lot of US investment in Cuba, so they want to intervene. There’s sympathy for the Rebels. Spaniards put the Cuban citizens and put them in concentration camps. A lot of Newspapers coming out to get more attention
Cuba
USS Maine
There is economic and militarized tension between Cuba and Spain, so the USS Maine parks in the harbor, just in case Americans needed to get out. In 1898, the Maine ship blew up and many blamed Spain. This leads to war with Spain.
Spanish-American War 1898
Reluctancy
McKinley reluctantly asks for war, although it hurts republican business, it’s popular with the people. Under the Teller Amendment, he says they’ll give the Cuban’s their land, in order to gain support. 30,000 army is pretty weak, but they have modern battle ships, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt. They then built up the navy
Spanish-American War 1898
Cuban Invasion
They were ill-prepared with no tropical gear. causes a lot of casualties. 5,000 come from disease, and only 400 come from combat. Volunteer group called Rough Rides, led by Teddy Roosevelt is well trained, and takes away the high ground from the Spanish. The US ships can get closer and bombard Spain, and Rough Riders charge up the San Juan Hill (kettle). Counterfire is the all black cavalry, buffalo soldiers, led by John “black Jack”. TR uses this as a way to promote himself as a war hero.
Spanish-American War 1898
War in the Pacific
Because of tensions between the US and Spain, TR takes command and sends Admiral Dewey to the Philippines in case of war with Spain. Admiral destroys Spanish Fleet at Manilla bay. Emilio Aguinaldo, the president, and the Filipino insurrection group teal up, hoping for the same deal as Cuba.
Spanish-American War 1898
Pact of Paris
American acquisitions are they get the Phillippines for the markets. They’ll become responsible to solve anarchy, and protect them from invaders. They get Puerto Rico, Guam/Marriana Islands. Us fears other countries will take the weak Cuba. They’re forced to include the Platt amendment, meaning Cuba cannot make treaties or go into debt that will jeapordize their independence. US can intervene to restore order or provide protection.
Imperialism Debate
This isn’t like moving west where there are few people, and is across the world. Large number of alien cultures. fear that they might migrate to the US. Fear more wars. Creates the Anti-Imperialist league, saying they shouldn’t be taking over these places. American Federation of labor doesn’t want more cheap labor moving in. They decide that they wouldn’t be under the constitution.
