Slide1: America Emerges As a World Power


U.S. Expands…REASONS: U.S. Expands…REASONS New industry needs new markets US market becomes saturated (supply greater than demand = more products than Americans can buy!) New industry needs additional raw materials Big profits from with raw materials from other countries Excessive investment capitol People looking for places to invest their money Improved transportation = the ability to access worldwide markets


US Expands…REASONS: US Expands…REASONS Navy becomes stronger! Steam powered steel ships = “The Great White Fleet” Fueled by coal so refueling stations are needed around the world Captain Alfred Mann, a civil war veteran and historian, writes The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, which calls for over seas bases and foreign colonies


US Expands…TRADE: US Expands…TRADE “Open Door” policy with China in 1898 Allows China to remain independent while trading with many nations equally Kept China from becoming a colonized by European nations and allowed for American trade Build up trade with Korea Under Japanese control so America is able to make a trade agreement similar to the Japanese one Matthew Perry 1854 convinces Japan’s rulers to agree to trade = first trade agreement between Japan and a western nation


US Expands…DIPLOMACY: US Expands…DIPLOMACY Wake Island in 1899 (in Pacific Ocean) Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John & St. Croix) bought from Denmark in 1917 Alaska 1867 the Secretary of State buys Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Many thought it was an ice covered wasteland (“Seward’s Folly”) but it had copper, gold, seals, whales and OIL! Midway Islands acquired in 1867 Northwest of Hawaii, they were “stepping stones” to China and Japan


US Expands…CONQUEST: US Expands…CONQUEST Hawaii U.S. interested in sugar plantations that were owned by wealthy Americans (who owned much of the island!) U.S. supports revolution to overthrow Queen Liliuokalani who ascends the throne in 1891 (a nationalist who wants to decrease foreign influence in Hawaii) Congress places a tariff on imported sugar (more expensive and hurts profits of American sugar planters in Hawaii) Tariff would not apply if Hawaii becomes a state! sugar cane


US Expands…CONQUEST: US Expands…CONQUEST Hawaii continued… Plan to overthrow Queen Liliuokalani and declare Hawaii a protectorate (a country controlled by another) of the US In January 1893 Queen’s palace is surrounded by US Marines and they force her to abdicate President Cleveland is not happy. A treaty is signed calling for the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 Hawaii becomes a state in 1959


US Expands…CONQUEST: US Expands…CONQUEST Spanish-American War of 1898 Cuba is controlled by Spain but wants independence U.S. is pressured to support Cuban revolutionaries: by businessmen worried about trade (Cuba had good harbors and location) by “yellow journalism” (exaggerated/melodramatic stories intended to influence American opinion) used to sell newspapers by the American tradition of encouraging the establishment of democracies (Americans sympathetic to the cause!) by the need for European influence to be gone


US Expands…CONQUEST: US Expands…CONQUEST April 20, 1898 Congress declares war on Spain Teller Amendment – attached to the war declaration – it stated that when the US defeats Spain it will give Cubans their freedom Admiral Dewey captures the Philippines (Spain controls them & the war begins there!) Spanish-American War continued… In February 1898 USS Maine is blown up in Havana harbor and 260 Americans die! The investigation is inconclusive but yellow journalists blame Spain


US Expands…CONQUEST: US Expands…CONQUEST Spanish-American War continued… U.S. defeat the Spanish – sign a truce August 12, 1898 More died from food poisoning, yellow fever, malaria and dysentery (5,400) than from battle (379) U.S. gains land from Spain in a peace treaty signed in December 1898 Guam Puerto Rico Philippines (thought U.S. would leave after war with Spain but U.S wants control for military and economic reasons = fight with America for independence. Becomes a U.S. territory 1902 – 1946. Independent after WWII.)


US Expands…MILITARY ACTION: US Expands…MILITARY ACTION Panama Canal Need to have a “cut-through” to the pacific Ocean. U.S. wants to rule the Western Hemisphere and control foreign trade markets But… England has the rights to a canal 1901 Hay-Paunceforte Treaty allows any nation to use the proposed canal America gets exclusive rights to build and control the canal Panama is controlled by Columbia who refuses to negotiate!


US Expands…MILITARY ACTION: US Expands…MILITARY ACTION Panama Canal continued… Panama wants independence! U.S. supports Panama in a revolution to gain independence U.S. negotiates with Panama who gives U.S. the rights to build the canal in return fro the U.S.’s help in gaining their independence


US Expands…MILITARY ACTION: US Expands…MILITARY ACTION Biggest obstacles = malaria and water height Overcome malaria thanks to Dr. Walter Reed who recognizes that malaria is spread by mosquitoes Overcome problem of changing water height thanks to George Goethals and the Army Corps of Engineers who use a series of locks Panama Canal continued…


US Expands…MILITARY ACTION: US Expands…MILITARY ACTION Roosevelt Corollary Added to the Monroe Doctrine in 1904. States that the U.S. has the right to intervene in international affairs of Latin America To ensure “stable, orderly and prosperous neighbors” U.S. will be the police of the Caribbean


US Expands…MILITARY ACTION: US Expands…MILITARY ACTION Mexican Civil War Democratic government replaced by General Huerta who takes over violently – murders the president! U.S. supports Carranza in gaining control of the government in 1914 But… many Mexicans dislike American interference. Pancho Villa, a Mexican rebel, attacks a train and kills American hostages! WWI breaks out and diverts American attention from Mexico President Wilson is more concerned about German submarines attacking U.S. ships