Rebecca Dunn

History Notes

The Big Stick America and the World

Imperialism and the Spanish American War
Imperialism- when powerful nations created empires by dominating other lands.
Manifest Destiny- the idea (prevalent esp. in the 1840s) that it was Americas obvious (manifest)
and inevitable fate to occupy the entire continent.
Monroe Doctrine- Declaration by president Monroe in 1823 that the United States would oppose
efforts by an outside power to control a nation in the western hemisphere.
The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
-

speak softly and carry a big stick

The U.S would police areas of the Caribbean and Central America.
U.S did not want Europe interring with the Americans.
Under this policy, the U.S would intervene in many of these countries.

Reasons for Imperialism

1. Public support
2. Future prosperity depended on access to world markets.
3. Territorial expansion and expansion of trade.
Military Strength
-naval bases and coaling stations throughout the world.
-This helped the U.S with expansion.
Economic Pressure
-world trade would lessen the threat of economic depression.
Spanish Misrule in Cuba
-1895-Cuban Revolt-fueled by Spanish rule and falling sugar prices.
- Spain- sent General Valeriano Weyler-ruthless governor.
Reconstruction- Spanish Policy- Cuban villagers in concentration camps (many died from
hunger and neglect).

Yellow Journalism
Yellow Journalism- A style of newspaper writing in the late1890s that featured sensational
headlines and stories.
-

Newspapers fed the anti-Spanish hysteria and downplayed brutal deeds of the rebels.

Examples of yellow journalism competition led to the developing of more and new stories.

Remember the Maine

-U.S. S Maine-1898-sent to Havanas harbor to protect U.S citizens and property.
-February 15, 1898-explosion destroyed U.S.S Maine. (266 sailors dead)
-Many citizens now favored war.

Spanish Concessions
-President McKinley-supported Cuban independence.
-presented Spain with demands, including the withdraw of Spain from Cuba.
deLome Letter- Spanish ambassador to the U.S whose letter described McKinley as weak.
Printed in the NY journal and infuriated the American public.
-Spain refused- McKinley asked congress for a declaration of war.
-granted April 25,1898

Military Operations of the Spanish-American war

-Dewey at Manila Bay (first fighting took place in the Philippines.
Commodore George Dewey- commander of the U.S fleet based in Hong Kong. Deweys fleet
sunk or captured the entire Spanish fleet at Manila Bay.
-U.S troops took Manila.

Land Warfare in Cuba

-poor preparation: Army-not equipped to launch an invasion of Cuba.
Rough Riders- mixed crew of cowboys, college students, adventurers. Charged and took over
San Juan Hill.
-The black soldiers of the 9th and 10th regiments assisted the rough riders.

-most deaths were a result of yellow fever and food poisoning not battle.

Aftermath of the war: Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898)

-this committed the U.S to the responsibility of being a world power.

Territorial gains of the United States

1, Puerto Rico-territory closest to the United States.
2. Guam- South Pacific
3. Philippines
-American occupation of the Philippines met bitter opposition from the Filipinos.
-Philippine insurrection lasted longer than the Spanish-American War.

Divided public opinion

-most Americans agreed with McKinley- Govern Philippines.
-Some felt colonialism was wrong.
-violated Americas belief in liberty, and might drag U.S in to foreign wars.

Platt Amendment
-Stipulated the Cuban government could not enter any foreign agreements, must allow the U.S to
est. naval basses as needed on the island, and must give the U.S the right to intervene whenever
necessary.

Far east foreign policy: open door policy

-U. S-open China (to trading) to all nations on an equal basis.
-Security of State John Hay-sent open door notes to nations involved in china.

Boxer Rebellion
-1900- Secret Chinese society, known as the Boxers, rose up to expel the foreign devils.
-uprising lasted 2 months- Europe and U.S broke the siege.

-U. S believed in maintain an independent China- Sent another Open Door note.