american imperialism, 1898- 1914. what is imperialism?

American Imperialism, 1898-American Imperialism, 1898-19141914

What is Imperialism?What is Imperialism?

Causes of the Spanish-American Causes of the Spanish-American WarWar

Decreased isolationism in U.S. public and Congress

Cuban Revolution (1895-1898):– U.S. investments threatened– Spanish authorities commit atrocities against Cuban

civiliansYellow journalism

– Highlighted Spanish atrocities and lack of humanitarianism

USS Maine Explosion - February 1898:– U.S. public angered - blame placed on Spain

“Free Cuba!”“Remember the Maine!”

President William McKinley– Congress declares war on Spain -- April 1898

Fighting the WarFighting the War

Geography– Spanish Empire - Cuba, Puerto Rico,

Philippines, Guam– U.S. strategic interests

Panama Canal, Hawaii

CommodoreCommodoreGeorgeGeorgeDeweyDewey

CommanderCommanderU.S. Asiatic U.S. Asiatic SquadronSquadron

Spanish-American Spanish-American WarWar

Battle of Santiago (Cuba)Battle of Santiago (Cuba)Amphibious landingRough Riders’ Teddy Roosevelt

– Leads charge at the Battle of San Juan HillSpanish governor orders fleet to flee harbor -

1 July 1898

Battle of SantiagoBattle of Santiago 3 July 18983 July 1898

Battle of SantiagoBattle of Santiago

On 3 July 1898, Spanish make their run Inferior Spanish fleet annihilated by superior,

better managed U.S. fleet– Spanish losses 160 killed, 1800 captured– American losses 1 killed, 1 wounded

Peace treaty signed 10 Dec 1898 Spanish home fleet recalled while en route to the

Philippines fearing North Atlantic Fleet

Results and lessonsResults and lessons

Spanish home fleet recalled while en route to the Philippines

U.S. technological superiority overwhelms Spanish

U.S. becomes dominant power in the Caribbean Sea

Improvement needed in fire control and amphibious doctrine

U.S. EmpireFrom Spain: Possession of Puerto Rico,

Guam, Philippines. Naval base in CubaFormerly independent: Wake, Hawaii,

Samoa U.S. in undisputed control of the

Caribbean

American Pacific TerritoriesAmerican Pacific TerritoriesCoaling Stations for ShipsCoaling Stations for Ships

Roosevelt CorollaryRoosevelt Corollary

Constant interventions by Navy and Marines:– Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic– Cuba - Platt Amendment– Vera Cruz, Mexico

“Yankee Imperialism” despised by many Latin Americans

Panama CanalPanama Canal Renewed U.S. desire for canal in Central America

– Link between Atlantic and Pacific FleetsNeed for the canal is highlighted by USS Oregon’s long transit to

the Battle of Santiago

Strong support from President Theodore Roosevelt Construction of the canal begins in 1904

– Completed in 1914

Increased importance of U.S. control of Caribbean Sea– Protection of Panama Canal is vital to defense of the U.S.

U.S. “Open Door” policy in China:– Policy has two aspects

(1) Ensure territorial integrity of China

(2) Ensure free trade in China for all countries.– China’s Boxer Rebellion - 1900

U.S. Marine Regiment attached to U.S. Army force protecting Westerners

– Counter European and Japanese attempts at “spheres of influence”

Yangtze River Patrol - U.S. gunboats protect American commerce

The Rise of Japanese Sea The Rise of Japanese Sea PowerPower

PresidentPresidentTheodore Theodore RooseveltRoosevelt

andand

Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRobley D. “Fighting Robley D. “Fighting

Bob” Bob” EvansEvans

Prior to the sailing Prior to the sailing of the Great White of the Great White

Fleet - 1907Fleet - 1907

The Great White The Great White FleetFleet

Route of the Great White Fleet: (1907-08)Route of the Great White Fleet: (1907-08)

HMS HMS DreadnoughtDreadnought

First all “big gun” BattleshipFirst all “big gun” Battleship- Eight 12-inch guns- Eight 12-inch guns

HMSHMS Dreadnought Dreadnought

Dawn of AviationDawn of Aviation

Wright Brothers -- Kitty Hawk, North Carolina: 1903

Eugene Ely– First flight of an aircraft from a ship in

1910– First landing of an aircraft on a ship in

1911