Chapter 7 America as a World Power Notes 7.1 The United States Gains Overseas Territories The Big Idea In the last half of the 1800s, the United States joined the race for control of overseas territories. Main Ideas The United States ended its policy of isolationism. Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898. The United States sought trade with Japan and China. Main Idea 1: The United States ended its policy of isolationism. Powerful Western nations were building naval bases to protect shipping routes in the 1800s. o Was an aspect of imperialism: building an empire by founding colonies or conquering other nations o Europeans extended colonial empires to control most of Africa and Southeast Asia during 1870 1914. European countries wanted sources of raw materials, new markets for manufactured goods, and increased national pride. Meanwhile, the United States (and Japan) followed a limited policy of isolationism avoiding involvement in the affairs of other countries. America s Policy Shifts By the late 1800s, some Americans wanted to end isolationism in order to o Expand and keep the economy strong o Protect economic interests by building a strong navy with many overseas bases United States began building an empire in late 1800s Purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867 o Called Seward s Folly for Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the purchase of what critics called the Alaskan Icebox (frozen wasteland with no resources to offer) Annexed Pacific Ocean territories o Midway Island in 1867 o Samoa in 1899 Main Idea 2: Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898. Americans owned most shops and shipyards in Hawaii by 1840s. Sugar became a leading export and the industry prospered. The US helped the Hawaiian sugar industry to prosper in the 1870s by allowing duty-free shipments to the US.
Planters forced the Hawaiian king to sign a new constitution granting them more legislative power. It was known as the Bayonet Constitution because the king was forced to sign it at gunpoint. After Liliuokalani became queen and proposed a new constitution to return power to the monarchy, planters led a revolt and set up their own revolutionary government supported by the United States. Congress annexed the Hawaiian Islands in 1898, but it did not become the fiftieth state until 1959. Main Idea 3: The United States sought trade with Japan and China. The island nation of Japan was isolated from the rest of the world. The United States wanted to open Japan s markets before Europeans arrived. Commodore Matthew Perry was sent on a mission to Japan to secure friendship and commerce in 1853 and failed. Perry returned to Japan in 1854 with a show of power and many gifts. A commercial treaty was negotiated in 1858. By the 1890s, Japan was itself an imperial power. Foreign Powers in China Spheres of Influence Japan defeated China in the Sino-Japanese War, 1894 95. Other countries wanted to set up spheres of influence, areas where they could control trade and natural resources, in China Open Door Policy U.S. Secretary of State John Hay set forth an Open Door Policy. Policy stated that all nations should have equal access to trade in China. Boxer Rebellion China nationalists angered at foreign involvement in the country. Nationalists attacked foreign settlements in Beijing in Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Boxers were defeated, China paid a fine, and the Open Door policy remained. 7.2 The Spanish-American War The Big Idea The United States expanded into new parts of the world as a result of the Spanish-American War. Main Ideas In 1898 the United States went to war with Spain in the Spanish-American War. The United States gained territories in the Caribbean and Pacific. Main Idea 1: In 1898 the United States went to war with Spain in the Spanish-American War. In the late 1890s, Cubans rebelled against Spain.
Conflict widely reported in U.S. newspapers, especially by publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst o Printed sensational, often exaggerated news stories: technique called yellow journalism o Stories helped increase public support for military action William McKinley, a supporter of Cuban independence, was elected in 1896. War with Spain January 1898 February 15, 1898 April 20, 1898 April 20, 1898 The United States sends the battleship USS Maine to Havana Harbor to protect U.S. citizens and economic interests in Cuba. USS Maine sunk; newspapers blame Spain even though they may have not been responsible. Congress passes a resolution declaring Cuba independent and demand that Spain leave. They also passed the Teller Amendment, which said that the United States had no interest in controlling Cuba. Spain declares war on the United States. War in the Philippines The U.S. Navy, under Commodore George Dewey, won a quick victory over the Spanish Pacific fleet in the Philippines on May 1, 1898. o None of Dewey s men were killed in battle. o Dewey had to wait for additional troops to be sent to secure the Philippines. On August 13, U.S. troops and Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo took control of the Philippine capital of Manila. War in the Caribbean U.S. Army unprepared for Spanish-American War o Troops had to be increased from 28,000 to 280,000. o Did not have enough rifles, bullets, or uniforms o Harsh living conditions o 400 killed in battle; 2,000 died of disease Rough Riders were a group of volunteers, including Native Americans, cowboys, and ranchers, commanded by Theodore Roosevelt. o Admired by American people for heroism o Contributed to solid U.S. victories at Santiago and Kettle Hill o Roosevelt was a strong leader with an aggressive foreign policy. Spanish Caribbean fleet was destroyed on July 3, 1898. U.S. troops invaded Puerto Rico in mid-july. Spain signed a cease-fire agreement on August 12, 1898. Main Idea 2: The United States gained territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Territorial Gains Peace treaty placed Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines under U.S. control.
Some Americans formed the Anti-Imperialist League, opposing the treaty and the creation of an American colonial empire standing against territorial expansion of the US. Treaty approved in Senate by one vote more than two-thirds majority needed New U.S. Territories Cuba U.S. military government put in place. Commission was sent to Cuba to fight disease. Constitution drafted and included Platt Amendment, allowing American intervention in Cuban affairs Puerto Rico Like Cubans and Filipinos, Puerto Ricans had hoped for independence. Made a U.S. territory Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917. The Philippines Spain surrendered Philippines for $20 million. Filipinos revolted against U.S. control. Conflict ended in 1902. Congress passed Philippine Government Act in 1902. 7.3 The United States and Latin America The Big Idea The United States expanded its role in Latin America in the early 1900s. Main Ideas The United States built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s. Theodore Roosevelt changed U.S. policy toward Latin America. Presidents Taft and Wilson promoted U.S. interests in Latin America. Main Idea 1: The United States built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s. The Goal To build a narrow canal across the narrow neck of Central America o Link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans o Cut 8,000 miles off the sea voyage from the West to the East coasts of the United States o Allow U.S. Navy to quickly link Atlantic and Pacific fleets
Revolution in Panama Panamanian revolutionaries planned a revolt against Colombia. o The United States assisted them. o Helped the rebellion succeed o Recognized Panama as an independent country New Panamanian government made lease agreement with United States. o $10 million plus $250,000 a year for 99-year lease on a 10-mile wide strip of land across the isthmus Building the Panama Canal Difficult to build o Workers faced tropical diseases, though risk of yellow fever and malaria were reduced by Dr. William Gorgas, who organized successful effort to rid the area of disease carrying mosquitoes. o Working in the high mountains with explosives was dangerous. o Some 6,000 people died making the canal. The Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914, linking Atlantic and Pacific Oceans Took ten years to complete and cost $375 million Main Idea 2: Theodore Roosevelt changed U.S. policy toward Latin America. The Panama Canal allowed the United States to become more involved in Latin America. American military power grew stronger and allowed the United States to enforce the Monroe Doctrine. President Roosevelt created a policy called the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine to force debtor nations to repay loans to Europe the United States would intervene in any wrongdoing by Latin American countries. The United States became the international police power in the Western Hemisphere. Main Idea 3: Presidents Taft and Wilson promoted U.S. interests in Latin America. President William Howard Taft acted to protect U.S. interests in Latin America. o Used dollar diplomacy policy influencing governments through economic, not military, intervention o Loaned money to Nicaragua in exchange for control of the National Bank of Nicaragua and the railway o Sent U.S. Marines to Nicaragua in 1911 to protect American interests Woodrow Wilson believed that the United States had a moral obligation to promote democracy. o Often sent troops into Latin America to prevent foreign intervention or political unrest o Sent troops to assist Mexico s government in the Mexican Revolution The Mexican Revolution Mexicans revolted against harsh rule of dictator Porfirio Díaz in 1910. War affected U.S. interests. o Business leaders feared they would lose their investments worth over $1 billion. The United States entered the war.
o 1914: U.S. Navy seized city of Veracruz and prevented weapons from reaching the rebels. o 1916: General John J. Pershing and about 15,000 U.S. soldiers were sent to catch the rebel leader Francisco Pancho Villa, who had killed 17 Americans in New Mexico. In 1917, a new constitution began to bring order to Mexico. The violence caused more than 120,000 Mexicans to flee to the US between 1905 and 1915. Changes in U.S. Foreign Policy Washington s Farewell Address Monroe Doctrine Roosevelt Corollary Taft s Dollar Diplomacy Wilson and Democracy United States will not become involved in European affairs. United States will defend its interests in Western Hemisphere and keep European powers out. United States will police wrongdoing by nations in Western Hemisphere. United States will use economic means to and its interests in Latin America. The United States will promote and protect democracy in the Western Hemisphere.