American Imperialism.
Following the civil war, the United States was sensitive to European presence in the West. During the war, France had established a protectorate over Mexico and Alaska was possessed by Russia. Secretary of State, William Seward demanded for France withdrawal, mobilising military to Mexico. In 1866, France was forced out of Mexico. In 1867, Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million Dollars, riding the North off a foreign power. In the same year, he acquired Midway Island and proposed acquisition of Hawaii, amidst great debate on extra-continental expansion. The success of Western Frontier encouraged Americans to expand overseas with key areas of interests both nationally and military.
Hawaii was an important
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It was economically viable and acted as a doorway to the Eastern Trading Markets of China and Asia. It also provided a good military base for the United States. Cuban nationalists were in constant rebellion and used guerrilla warfare tactics against the Spanish colonialists. To resolve this, the Spanish, grouped the Cubans into concentration camps. The United States sympathized with the Cubans, whom they depicted as fighting for liberty and democracy against an Old World Power. Hostilities grew and President McKinley sent the battleship Maine to protect Americans on the Island. On February 15th 1898, the Maine exploded and sank in Havana and the cause was not determined. McKinley, however not interested with the idea of war, declared war on Spain on April 20th 1898. The war took place in the Philippines, where Secretary of War Theodore Roosevelt led attack of the Spanish in Manila. United States military moved quickly through the Island and took San Juan Hill in July 1st 1898. Spain was forced to surrender on July 17th and with its surrender, United America forces seized Puerto Rico. Spain released Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States formally by August 12th …show more content…
Many believed that a canal was necessary, as it reduced the journey from ocean to ocean. The logical point of crossing was the small Isthmus of Panama. Panama was located in the province of Columbia, and was only fifty miles ocean to ocean. The terrain or topography was difficult. Hay-Pauncefote Treaty was signed in 1901 which cancelled the 1850 Clayton-Bulwer Treaty and granted the United States permission to build a Canal across Latin America. In 1903, Secretary of State Hay negotiated an agreement with the Colombian minister in Washington. The agreement was that, the United States would pay ten million dollars for lease of land and two hundred thousand annually for the land. Though signed in Washington, the Colombian Senate rejected the measure demanding more money. The move by Colombian rulers, led to international incitement and Panamanians rebelled against them. President Roosevelt aided the rebellion and Colombians gave in quickly. Roosevelt recognized the Republic of Panama and a deal for the canal worked out. Panama was later declared independent. The Panama Canal experienced heavy traffic and was highly profitable and America controlled the Caribbean water. A naval base was later established in Guantanamo Bay,
2. The Building of the Panama Canal taking place in 1903 - The building and completion of the Panama Canal has a multitude of important foreign policy implications. First it led to the United States' backing up secessionist factions, who split the republic of Panama from Colombia, and it also led to the granting of sovereign land rights to the United States over the Panama Canal Zone. The Panama Canal had large implications for the
The Spanish-American war commenced with the Wilson- Gorman Tariff, 1894. The American tariff on sugar imports hurt the Cuba's economy that was manufactured sugar. Angry nationalists (insurrection) revolted against the Spanish Colonial regime. Therefore, Spain sent General Weyler to Cuba to deal with the situation.
First, the acquisition of Alaska proved itself to be a great new market for the United States. William Seward, who was the Secretary of State under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, planned to buy Alaska from Russia. He had trouble persuading the House of Representatives and the public that the purchase of Alaska was a good idea and no one believed him. Over time, after the purchase of Alaska, the new land proved itself to the country by being rich in timber, minerals, and oil. The purchase of Alaska created a new market for the US by growing the oil trade, and by adding timber and minerals to the trade list.
Theodore Roosevelt was involved in numerous foreign policies. One of Roosevelt’s significant foreign accomplishment after ascending to presidency in 1901 was the formation of the Panama Canal. When agreements for the Canal with Columbia was unsuccessful, Roosevelt was all for a transformation. For years, U.S naval leaders had wanted a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through Central America. Panama, free of Columbian control, accepted the idea of a canal zone, allowing the United States authority of the canal for $10 million and an regular deposit of $250,000.
Despite imperialism being unconstitutional and undemocratic, American Imperialism was an economic necessity to further commerce. China had all the customers, and for the U.S. to be economically successful they needed to improve their naval power. This need brought on the Panama Canal, as Roosevelt wanted to save both time and money for commercial and military shipping. On top of this, the U.S. also took interest in Cuba -- not for territory, but for the trade and military opportunities that would spring up. From aiding the Cubans, the U.S. gained territory in Puerto Rico (which was useful as a naval base), Guam, and the Philippines.
After the war, America gained control of Puerto Rico, the Philippine Islands, and Guam, and Cuba became an independent
The Panama Canal is a way of transportation from the Atlantic to the pacific ocean. According to “The Panama Canal” Teddy Roosevelt pushed for the Panama Canal to become purchased by the U.S. in 1902(The History Channel). The Panama Canal was set up so that if you needed to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean you would have to pay a tax in order to cross the canal. The canal is a source of global power because any country could use the Panama Canal as long as they paid the fee. Teddy Roosevelt helped the U.S. grow stronger feelings for the Panama Canal for its great benefits.
One of the most important things Roosevelt created was the Panama Canal. Roosevelt negotiated with Britain to help gain support for the canal. He also needed agreement from Colombia, considering it was their land. Once they denied, “the United States supported a Panamanian revolution with money and a naval blockade, the latter of which prevented Colombian troops from landing in Panama” (Theodore Roosevelt: Foreign Affairs np). The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty with the US and Panama gave America control of the canal for $10 million and a payment of $250,000 annually (Foreign Affairs np).
As we saw in Hawaii, the United States jumped into the sugar farming and tourisms, removing the voice and votes, since the corporate businessman came first. This was also without fair consent, and was to be investigated by President Cleveland. Yet in Panama, we witnessed a major change occur with United States interaction; we saw the decline of yellow fever. With the aid of Doctor Gorgas, the village people were given a sanitary sweep, wiping out most mosquitos and dropping the infection rate heavily. With Panama’s approval, the Panama Canal was also constructed, creating an economic opportunity for Panama as well as making travel and trade between the United States and Asian nations quicker.
A Change to Imperialism After the civil war, Americans remained surprisingly aloof to the outside world. Because America was struggling with many problems over Reconstruction, such as trying to maintain a steady flow in the economy and settle the West, many Americans weren’t very concerned with foreign affairs. There was a drastic shift, however, that made America change from isolationism to imperialism in the early 20th century. America made this drastic shift because it wanted to expand and gain prestige, convert people into one’s own beliefs (missionary zeal), and indulge itself in foreign affairs to aid its economy and marketing. With the control of the Panama Canal, America was then able to obtain its worldwide power.
The United States was in no way justified in going to war with Spain politically because its true motivations were simply to destroy Spain’s presence in the Western Hemisphere and develop an even more hegemonic power in the Western world. Like many other presidents, McKinley wanted to implement the Monroe Doctrine. McKinley and Congress began the Spanish-American War simply to gain popularity with the American public, for they were sympathetic towards the idea of war, and to help the United States gain control of the Western world. Adherence to the Monroe Doctrine in no way justified going to war with Spain, as Spain had nothing to due with motivating the conflict politically and it began simply due to hegemonic ideals held by political
The imperialistic mentality of the American government after the Civil War, led to some degree to the Spanish-American war that would render a great acquisition of land for the United States. However, imperialism would not be the sole factor that led to the war against Spain, but also the sympathy felt by the American government towards Cuba’s efforts in fighting for their independence; additionally, the United States would seek to protect its commercial interests (sugar) in the island. Therefore, after invoking the Spanish to secede from their brutal practices towards Cuban rebels and attain a peaceful end to the situation, the United States arbitrarily sent a navy ship, “The USS Maine” to monitor the area.
This explosion finally made the Americans want to go to war, and so the United States decided to get involved. On April 25, 1898, the United States officially went to war with Spain to help Cuba. Instead of the battles being fast and right away, the United States was hesitant and patient. After multiple articles from Hearst and Pulitzer exposing the horrors in Cuba and the rumors about the explosion of the U.S. Mains, America finally got involved in the Spanish American
At the start of the 19th century, America was already expanding its territory. In 1803, the United States of America had bought the Louisiana Territory, it was bought from France which had made the country two times larger. In 1819 Spain had given up their territory of Florida to the United States. President Monroe issued the “Monroe Doctrine” in 1823, its main purpose was to warn the European countries to not enter the Western Hemisphere. In order for America to achieve its goal of becoming an imperialist nation they had conquered other countries economically, culturally, and with a strong military in the late 1800’s.
The United States wanted to build it through Columbia. But, Columbia refused and said”No. ” We had to wait for panama to be independent. So,They became independent to us(United States).In order for the workers to accomplish The Panama Canal they needed to get past the obstacles getting in the way. After the first year people started dying.