Unit 11: Imperialism

How was Cuba handled after the Spanish American War?

The Platt Amendment

When did the Spanish American War occur?

1898

How did the Spanish American War end?

A cease-fire agreement was signed between the US and Spain on August 12th, 1898. The war had only lasted 15 weeks. On December 10th, 1898, the US and Spain met in Paris to agree on a treaty. The treaty resulted in Spain recognizing Cuban independence, allowing Puerto Rico and Guam to cede to the US, and the acceptance of America's occupation of the Philippines.

What was the "Great White Fleet" and what was their purpose?

A fleet of naval US ships that circumnavigated the globe in a little over a year by the orders of Theodore Roosevelt. Their purpose was to demonstrate the US' military power to countries all over the world. The hulls of the ships were painted white, hence the name.

Who was Francisco Madero?

A group of peasants and workers lead by Francisco Madero overthrew Díaz and promised a democratic government.

What did the US do relating the Venezuelan debts?

A lot of Latin Americans had borrowed a lot of money from European banks to build railroads and develop industries. Roosevelt was worried that if they didn't pay back their loans, Europeans would intervene. Roosevelt wanted to make the US a predominant power in the Caribbean and Central America. Roosevelt reminded European powers of the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that European countries must stay out of the affairs of the Latin American countries.

What did Taft do with Nicaragua?

A rebellion in Nicaragua left the country bankrupt. Taft arranged for American bankers to loan Nicaragua enough money to pay off its debts. In return, the bankers received the rights to get their money back by collecting Nicaragua's customs duties, as well as ownership of the Nicaraguan railroad system and national bank.

Who were the Rough Riders?

A volunteer cavalry under the command of Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt gave up his job as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to lead the Rough Riders.

What did Panama need before a canal could be built?

Before beginning, permission from Colombia had to be granted because they ruled Panama. A Panamanian rebellion was organized against Colombia. In late 1903 Panama declared its independence.

What were President Grover Cleveland's opinions on what was happening in Cuba?

Cleveland needed to deal with America's issues before he focused on Cuba's or anyone else's. America was dealing with change, and the rise of capitalism. Cleveland didn't see a reason for America to intervene in Cuba.

How did the US occupation of Cuba affect them?

Even though it was independent, Cuba was occupied by American troops. José Martí had feared that the US would simply replace Spain as a harsh ruler. His vision sort of came true because under American occupation, the same officials who had served Spain remained in office, and any Cubans who protested the policy were imprisoned or exiled. American occupation was still good for Cuba. The American military government provided food and clothing, helped farmers, organized elementary schools, and helped eliminate yellow fever.

How was Hawaii acquired?

Hawaii began as an independent island with different sovereign tribes controlling it. In the late 1700s, King Kamehameha unified Hawaii. He encouraged trade with Europe and the United States, and they traded openly for a long time. Sugar planters were thriving in the mid-1800s, but a series of American protective tariffs negatively impacted the sugar planters in Hawaii. In 1875 the United states signed a treaty with Hawaii that allowed for free trade between the countries. The United States gained a coal mine and a base in the Pearl Harbor. Many Americans chose to expand their businesses in Hawaii. In 1891, Queen Lili'uokalani wanted to make Hawaii more independent, which the American sugar planters disliked. The queen was revolted against, and the Americans overthrew Lili'uokalani. The Americans in Hawaii established a Republic of Hawaii, separate from the United States, but waited to become part of the United States. President William McKinley eventually annexed Hawaii. What's unique about the way Hawaii became a part of the United States is that they were originally trading partners and worked very well together as if the United States had owned them, but eventually became a part of the United States after a revolt occurred.

What was the José Martí Rebellion?

He launched a revolution in 1895, organizing Cuban resistance against Spain, and used guerilla warfare. He targeted American owned properties. He wanted to provoke US intervention. José Martí was killed in 1895, but it was a huge turning point for Cuban uprising as they no longer had their leader.

Who was William Randolph Heart?

He owned New York Journal. He sent an artist to Cuba to draw sketches of reporter's stories. The artist said that a war between America and Cuba seemed unlikely, but Hearst said "You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war."

Who was Joseph Pulitzer?

He owned the New York World.

Who was José Martí?

He was a Cuban poet and journalist in exile in New York.

Why was Woodrow Wilson a unique president?

He was all about morals. He believed that the United States had a moral responsibility to deny recognition of any government that was hostile to US interests. Before, the US had recognized any government, if it was good or bad. Wilson's opinions pushed Western countries to establish democratic governments.

Who was General Valeriano Weyler?

He was the Governor of Cuba that was sent in by Spain after Martí's uprising to institute harsher ruling over cuba. He established "concentration camps", separated families, and tortured them. Many died from hunger and disease.

What happened at the Battle of San Juan Hill?

In Santiago on July 1st, 1898, the Rough Riders and other cavalries charged up a hill for an infantry attack. The purpose was to gain the strategically important San Juan Hill. Yellow Journalism declared Roosevelt a hero.

What was the Jones Act?

It declared Puerto Rico a US territory.

What was the Foraker Act?

It ended US military rule and established a government?

What was Yellow Journalism?

It was the first color newspaper and the banner was in yellow, hence the name. Yellow journalism used propaganda, and was very pro-American, but it wasn't very accurate. It didn't matter though, as the purpose was to gain America's attention and sympathy for the Cuban rebels under Weyler's rules.

What were President McKinley's opinions on what was happening in Cuba?

McKinley wanted to be an imperialist president, unlike Cleveland. He annexed Hawaii for the benefit of America, and then turns to Cuba. He sees Cuba as another territory America could benefit from. He wanted ports there and trading between the two. The Philippines also seemed like a good port to McKinley because it allowed for America to access trading with Japan, China, and other countries in the area.

Who was Porfirio Díaz?

Mexico was lead for a very long time by a dictator named Porfirio Díaz. Díaz supported foreign investments in Mexico, and was a friend of the United States. A lot of Americans owned shares in Mexican oil wells, mines, railroads, and ranches. Foreign investors were getting rich off of it, but the people in Mexico were still poor.

What are three methods in which territory can be gained?

Money (buy it or negotiate), diplomacy (receive in an agreement), and war (fight for it)

What are three reasons for gaining new territory?

More resources and trade partners, areas to dock ships and refuel, protect American democracy

How did Americans react to what was occurring in Cuba?

People saw that Cuba was being oppressed, and were worrisome due to Cuba's proximity to US borders.

What was the issue with the Philippines following the Spanish American War?

People weren't sure if America had the right to annex the Philippines, but imperialism was the real issue. McKinley told a group of ministers that he prayed for guidance on Philippine annexation, and that there was nothing left to do but take the Philippine islands, educate the Filipinos, and Christianize them. McKinley didn't realize that the Filipinos had been Christian for centuries. Other people felt that the Treaty of Paris violated the Declaration of Independence because it denied self-government to the newly acquired territories.

What did Roosevelt want to do in Panama?

Roosevelt felt that a canal cutting across Central America would be helpful. It would reduce travel time for both commercial and military ships because they wouldn't have to go around South America. The route was set to go through Panama.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary?

Roosevelt warned other nations, particularly European nations, that if there were to be any disorder in Latin America, the United States would retaliate with "police power". In summary, this corollary stated that the United States would use force to protect the economic interests in Latin America.

What was the Russo-Japanese War?

Russia and Japan were strong imperialistic powers. They both wanted to gain control of Korea. Japan attacked the Russian Pacific fleet and destroyed it. Japan continued to win against Russia's fleet, and eventually secured Korea and Manchuria. Japan was low on money and men, so it approached Roosevelt and requested that he mediate peace negotiations. Delegates from the three countries met.

What were some large imperialistic countries at the end of the 1800s?

Spain, England, France, Russia, Germany, Netherlands

What is dollar diplomacy?

Taft had the US government guarantee loans made to foreign countries by American business people. This was called "dollar diplomacy". It was used to keep European powers out of the Caribbean.

How did the US occupation of Puerto Rico affect them?

The Americans ruled Puerto Rico to protect them with the American government. The US wanted to maintain a presence in the Caribbean.

What was the Platt Amendment?

The Cuban government wrote a constitution for an independent Cuba. There was nothing included about the United States, but the United States insisted that there should be. Cuba added provisions later on, known as the Platt Amendment. It stated that Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any part of its territory, that the United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba, that Cuba was not to go into debt that its government could not repay, and that the United States could buy or lease land on the island for naval stations as well as refueling stations.

What was The De Lôme Letter?

The De Lôme Letter was a letter written by Spanish Minister Dupuy De Lôme. In his letter, he called McKinley weak. The letter was stolen by Cubans and was turned over to the American press. The Americans were never supposed to see or know about the letter, so it revealed to them that Spain believed America was weak.

What two incidents lead to the Spanish American War?

The De Lôme Letter, the U.S.S. Maine explosion

How did the US occupation of the Philippines affect them?

The Filipinos were outraged over the Treaty of Paris because it called for American annexation of the Philippines. The US was imposing its authority on a country fighting for freedom.

How was Puerto Rico dealt with after the Spanish American War?

The Foraker Act and the Jones Act were enacted.

What was happening to the people in Cuba?

The Spanish government was oppressing them.

How did the United States gain Guantanamo Bay in Cuba?

The US gained territorial control over the southern portion of the Guantanamo Bay through the Cuban-American Treaty in 1903.

What happened at Manila Bay in the Philippines?

The US opened fire at the Spanish fleet in Manila on April 30th, 1898. Manila is the capital of the Philippines. By May 1st, 1898, the Spanish were destroyed. This victory allowed other US troops to land in the Philippines.

Why did the United States want to acquire the Philippines?

The US wanted to take over the Philippines for trading benefits. The Filipinos wanted freedom from Spain and the United States could help with that.

What did Panama do after it declared its independence?

The United States and Panama signed a treaty in which the US paid Panama $10 million dollars plus an annual rent of $250,000 for the land across Panama being used for the canal. The payments began in 1913.

How was Samoa acquired?

The United States competed against other nations like Great Britain and Germany in a naval battle for the Samoan Islands. Eventually, they came to a treaty that settled the disputes, and allowed for split control over the islands between the United States and Germany. Samoa originally agreed to let the United States build a base at Pago Pago because Samoa wanted the backing of a big nation.

How was Alaska acquired as a territory?

The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The United States was slightly reluctant to purchase Alaska because they had no idea what was in Alaska. Some people thought that the United States was wasting money on a useless piece of land.

How was Japan acquired as a trading partner?

The United States wanted to trade with Japan because they had unique resources not found elsewhere. To persuade Japan to give the United States what they wanted, the United States went to Japan and proposed a treaty. They stated that they would return later on so Japan had time to respond to the proposed treaty. When the United States returned, Japan had accepted their treaty. This strategy worked because Japan was scared and impressed by the United States' powerful ships. The United States had intimidated them, but not necessarily in a negative way.

What is imperialism?

The conquering, acquisition, or control of territory outside of one's country or natural borders. You don't have to own the land to control them.

How was the debate over the Philippines settled?

The issue was settled when the Senate approved the Treaty of Paris. The United States' empire now included Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Did the people of Nicaragua like the deal?

The people of Nicaragua disliked this deal, and revolted against their president Adolfo Díaz. To help, the US sent 2,000 marines to Nicaragua. The revolution was stopped, and some marines stayed in Nicaragua for a few more years.

What happened with the U.S.S. Maine?

The published letter angered many Americans. A while before, McKinley had sent the U.S.S. Maine to retrieve endangered Americans living in Cuba. On February 15th, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine blew up in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. Over 260 American men were killed. No one knew how or why the ship exploded, but the yellow journalists placed the blame on the Spanish. People would say "Remember the Maine!" as a plea for US intervention in Cuba. Spain had agreed to a six-month cease fire with the US, but the Americans were angry and wanted a war. McKinley asked Congress for authority to use force against Spain, and on April 20th, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain.

What was the Treaty of Portsmouth?

The treaty that Roosevelt helped create between Russia and Japan that settled the Russo-Japanese war. The final results were that Japan gained half of an island, Manchuria, and Korea.

Was Puerto Rico easy for the United States acquire?

Yes, there was no opposition.