The belief that the United States was responsible for establishing democracies and civilizations throughout the world was nicknamed American exceptionalism. American exceptionalism, combined with the belief in the superiority of white Anglo-Saxon’s (Americans with English and German decent), drove the US government to export products overseas, expand its power and influence overseas, and expand its naval force. This expansion happened with the disapproval and warnings from William Jennings Bryan, who believed everyone was equal and no territory should answer to a foreign power. Bryan lost the 1900 presidential electing to William McKinley, whose administration acquired Hawaii, large portions of the Caribbean, and initiated plans to secure control of the Philippines.
American exceptionalism and Anglo-Saxonism only
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What were the significance of each of these during and after the Spanish-American War?
a. Commodore George Dewey
While at the Naval Department, Theodore Roosevelt secured Commodore George Dewey’s position as commander of US Naval Pacific Fleet. As commander, Dewey’s had orders to attack the Spanish navy in the Pacific if war broke out between the United States and Spain. Upon the declaration of war with Spain, Roosevelt insured Dewey’s orders were approved by superior officers. On May 1st 1898, the US Naval Pacific Fleet attacked and defeated the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay, Philippians, and gained control of Philippians.
With control of the Philippians, the United States turned its attention to Hawaii. Hawaii was an independent nation that America had significant control and influence over due to agreements that gave Hawaii access to the American market without tariffs. In return, America had terrify-free access to sugar plantations in Hawaii. In July 1989, Hawaii was eventually annexed as part of the United States. This also helped lead to the United States to acquire Guam, Puerto Rico, and other islands.
b. The Battle of San Juan
Many Americans thought occupying foreign countries, like the Philippines after the Spanish American War, was a bad idea because it contradicts the American values of equality found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. (Doc D) However, a majority of America sided with people like Senator Albert J. Beveridge who believed people were chosen by God to expand into China and the Philippines to open more Asian markets. (Doc E) This was a continuation of past expansionism because acquiring land for money Manifest Destiny have been motives for expansionism for
The Spanish American War was a big step towards American War power and influenced foreign countries greatly with trade, naval power, and territory. The Era of the Spanish - American contributed to the advancement in trade for the United States. After the Hay-Pauncefote treaty with Britain was abolished, the U.S. was free to build a canal in Latin America with their help. The canal was set to be built in Panama, this canal was to benefit America to create ports free from tax in this country. This was granted when the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903 gave rights over a 51 mile long and 10 mile wide Canal Zone to protect the U.S. With these rights American manufacturing exporting companies without any tariffs for the citizens of the States.
In the late 1800’s, Cuba was fighting for its independence and striving to break free from Spain’s control. On February 28, 1898, the U.S.S Maine mysteriously exploded, which was stationed on the coast of Cuba. This led to the U.S involvement in the Spanish-American War. There were many economic reasons why the U.S joined this war, however, there was nothing significant that would require their involvement. The U.S was already keeping a close eye on the battle between the other two nations; waiting for a reason to intervene.
Before 1890, America was against imperialism, which is acquiring colonies for the sole reason of building an empire. America was once a colony, so they were only interested in trade than colonization as they expanded into more territories. In 1867, Russia offered the Americas Alaska in exchange for seven million. President Andrew Johnson, at that time, wasn’t entirely convinced on taking Alaska, but Vice-President Seward convinced that the U.S. would gain not only more land, but new resources such as gold and oil. For Hawaii at first was trade then establishing business.
The war lasted from April 1898 till August 1898; through this war we took control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the islands of the Philippines. The end result of this war comes to show that the reasoning behind the war has more to do with
United States’ Imperialism Power Over Hawaii Throughout the course of the years, the United States began investing their time into intervening in different countries to become a dominant world power in the Western Hemisphere. As the time reached of when the U.S. became more determined and serious over spreading its forces across colonies, a plentiful amount of the world had been already claimed. Only a few territories remained liberated from the imperialist movement, in which Hawaii was one of the unclaimed areas. In order to pertain Hawaii as their own intervention, the U.S. had mainly focussed onto preventing European countries of investing into the Hawaiian markets, resources, political stability, and economic interests.
In 1899, the United States annexed the Philippines after a short but bloody war with Spain. These rich, plentiful islands full of resources were in great demand. The U.S. saw the Philippines; fighting against Spain so like them when they were rebelling, and decided to step in and aid ‘the spirit of 1776’ (Doc. A). However, the question still remains: should the United States have annexed the Philippines?
Theodore Roosevelt saw that war was approaching and advised Commodore George Dewey to send troops to the Philippines on May 1. The battle of the Philippines was the first battle of the Spanish American War, it took place on May 1. There was not a single ship lost for the U.S., whereas all Spanish ships were destroyed, the U.S. had won their first battle of the Spanish American War. Most of the fighting in Cuba took place in Santiago, there was partial fighting in the water. Roosevelt left his post in the navy to come fight in Cuba.
William McKinley in his thoughts on American Expansionism has identified the reasons why America had no other choice but to incorporate Philippines as a part of it. This writing has been lifted from the excerpts of an interview with William McKinley soon after Spain had surrendered in the Spanish-American war. McKinley cleverly talks in this interview about how Philippines just came and fell into the laps of America thereby suggesting the helpless stance of America. He talks about how America’s sole intention and purpose had only been to safeguard its own interests as a country. He had to order that the Spanish fleets in Manila be destroyed because if left unattended, they would have crossed the Pacific and wreaked havoc in the American states
The United States has inflicted imperialism on the island Hawaii on January 17, 1893. They did this by overthrowing the government which was a monarchy and its ruler was Queen Liliuokalani. Then by overthrowing the sugar planters who overthrew the Queen, President William Mckinley was able to obtaining the territory for the U.S after the Spanish-American war. The U.S wanted to obtain Hawaii because of its monopoly on Sugar and its Sugar exports to The United States. The United States wanted to obtain the territory also to get rid of taxes on them and the business, and wealthy people were losing their ability to manipulate the government and wanted it as a naval base like pearl harbor.
Eight islands, two thousand miles off the U.S. west coast attracted attention from the Americans as a place to occupy. The U.S. owned three fourths of Hawaii’s wealth through sugar exports. Americans
It was mostly known as the of the prairie. Fannin takes 1000 musket and travel until they make it to coleto, on the way there they lose a big cannon in the Sanintonio River. They get it out and then let the oxen rest eventually when fannin and troops get back going, the Mexicans surprise them from behind. About later in the day they take over the position with about 200 or 300 men, but then urrea took over. The fight lasted until dark on the 19th but before the battle was over fannin and his troops didn’t feel beaten yet.
In 1874, the U.S. Secretary of State, John C. Calhoun, allowed for the recognition of Hawaii’s independence, letting Hawaii enter treaties with major world powers. Soon after, American influence appeared due to Americans seeking land for plantations. This put pressure onto the King and chiefs with demands to give Americans land to grow crops. Once the Pacific Hawaiian climate was found to be very suitable for growing sugar cane, newly
After watching the film called ‘Act of War’, I again felt that countries’ do not stand for justice but only pursue their national interests. The reason why Hawaii was so desirable to the United States was the imperialistic characteristic that America had at that time. Even a small island or land is into the consideration of taking over. In detail, the Americans wanted to use the land as their military base and a strategic spot for expanding their imperialism to Asia. The fact that American continent was far away from Asian and European continent, made them realize that in order to empower their global power they need to first dominate the closest countries, even a small land that they consider it trivial.
American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.