The Panama Canal American Imperialism Why “American” Imperialism? •  $$$ invested in foreign countries •  More trade with foreign countries •  Needs to increase military strength •  New markets to sell goods •  Racism / “UpliFing NaGve Peoples” •  No more FronGer aFer Wounded Knee (1890) •  U.S. Navy needs (1) Modernize (2) Fuel StaGons (3) A quick route between the AtlanGc & Pacific Ocean – Influenced by Alfred T. Mahan’s book America’s Empire •  Alaska & Midway Islands (1867) •  Hawaii (1898) •  Samoa (1899) •  Phillipines, Guam, Puerto Rico (1898) •  Cuba (1899) Independent country but US given right to intervene in Cuban affairs Search for Missing Bride Con2nues Bride Missing! Groom’s Family Blame History of Mental Illness Next to your PR on your lecture notes individually respond to these quesGons –  How do these headlines differ? –  Consider the wording and how a reader might respond to each arGcle. –  Which do you think is the most “reliable”? Why? Cuba’s War for Independence •  1895-­‐1897 versus Spain •  High taxes no representaGon in govt. •  Spanish “Scorched Earth” war tacGcs / ConcentraGon Camps •  Jose MarG = Statesman who fought Spanish colonialism Why does the U.S. care? •  Economic interests in Cuba (Sugar) •  Robberbaron’s own stock in Cuban based companies •  Similar circumstances to American RevoluGon •  Cruelty towards Cuban people (ConcentraGon Camps) U.S. Response to Cuba SituaGon •  U.S. government sends a baileship to protect American interests in Cuba •  U.S.S. Maine •  On arrival docked in Havana Harbor •  In close proximity to many Spanish Baileships What happens next? U.S.S. Maine sunk in Havana Harbor Telegram: At 9:40pm, a massive explosion shook the U.S.S. Maine. The blast occurred within the forward secGon of the ship. Preliminary reports conclude between 254-­‐266 Americans dead. Numerous others injured. No report on what caused the explosion Ship is completely destroyed InvesGgaGon is underway. Newspaper CirculaGon War •  William Randoph Hearst vs, Joseph Pulitzer •  Yellow Journalism = SensaGonalized, fake, and exaggerated news stories to sell papers / bring out emoGon in readers “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war” Yellow Journalism •  Name originates from a popular cartoon strip •  Published exaggerated reports of Spanish brutality •  Published the “De Lome Leier” (Spainish official insults the President) •  Why? = $$$ Philippine American War •  Philippines = American colony (1899) –  Military bases, trade, compeGGon •  Philippine-­‐American War (1899-­‐1902) –  High cost & casualGes –  Synthesis – Spanish American War & American RevoluGon Examples of US Imperial AcGvity •  Japan (1854) –  Forced to trade via “Gunboat Diplomacy. •  Mexico (1914-­‐1917) –  IntervenGon & Chasing Pancho Villa •  China (1900) –  Boxer Rebellion v. Foreign Powers –  Open Door Policy = Prevent China’s market from being colonized.