Transcript Imperialism and the United States

China & Panama Canal
 Imperialism: policy by
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which stronger nations
extend their economic,
political, or military
control over weaker
nations
Manifest Destiny
Increase the nation’s
financial prosperity
Strengthen the military
force
Spread democracy
Spread western culture
 In the 1890s, Japan demonstrated its
strength in a successful war against
China
 After the war, Japan as well as the major
European powers expanded their
spheres of influence
 United States wanted to trade with
China
 France, Germany,
Britain, Japan, and
Russia all staked claims
in China
 In 1899, Secretary of
State John Hay asked
these nations to follow
an Open Door Policy
 Eventually, they agreed
 What was the Open Door Policy?
 Policy that stated that no single country should have a
monopoly on trade with China.
 Why would the U.S. want to have such a policy?
 China was quickly becoming a major power in Europe,
by extending its sphere of influence.
 Many countries, in addition to the U.S., wanted to have
access to resources from China.
 Chinese group called the
“Boxers” were angered by
the privileges given to
foreigners and the
disrespect they showed
toward Chinese traditions
 In 1900, a violent uprising
occurred, called the Boxer
Rebellion
 Rebellion was put down by
an international force from
eight nations
 The Boxer Rebellion was eventually put down by eight
nations, including the United States.
 It is estimated that approximately 230 foreigners and
thousands of Chinese were killed during the rebellion.
 The Open Door Policy
allowed the U.S. to have
open trade with China.
 Trade takes place
predominately on the east
coastline of China since
ships can easily enter the
harbor, trade goods, and
sail back home.
 U.S. Senator Albert
Beveridge claimed “… The
power that rules the
Pacific, is the power that
rules the world.”
U.S. Involvement in Latin
America
 Businesses began to buy
food and raw materials
from Latin America
 Bananas, coffee, and
copper
 Companies bought large
amounts of land for
farming and mining
Panama Canal
 Would mean that U.S.
ships would not have to
travel around the coast of
South America
 Reduce travel time
 The Spanish-American
War made clear the need
for such a shortcut
 The U.S. initially struggled to construct the Panama Canal.
Why?
 U.S. didn’t own the land in Colombia.
 Roosevelt sent the U.S. Navy to support a revolution in the
Isthmus of Panama (ideal location for the canal)
 Out of the revolution, the new nation of Panama was created
in 1903
 Some Americans and Latin Americans did not agree with
Roosevelt’s actions. Why would people disagree with
Roosevelt’s actions?
 Believed he had interfered in Colombia’s affairs and cheated
Colombia out of land.
 Eventually, the U.S. would pay Colombia $25 million for the
loss of Panama.
 Construction of the Panama Canal was risky and
dangerous.
 More than 44,000 workers were used to construct the
canal.
 More than 5,500 canal workers died from diseases or
accidents
 The most common disease workers faced, was malaria –
an infectious disease marked by cycles of chills and
fever.
 Roosevelt made many visits to the Canal Zone during
the construction to encourage workers to continue
construction despite the challenges and dangers.
 Here the USS Missouri
transitions through the
Canal using the locks.
 Locks were needed in
several parts of the Canal
to allow ships to safely
pass through the Canal.
 While the Canal starts
and ends at sea level, it
rises to 85 feet above sea
level at it highest point.
 The Panama Canal officially opened in 1914 and cost
between $350-$380 million to build.
 The successful construction of the Canal was an evident
sign to Latin America, and the rest of the world, that the
U.S. would be the dominant power in the west.
 Roosevelt used the Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt
Corollary to help the U.S. police the Western hemisphere.
What is the Monroe Doctrine? What is the Roosevelt
Corollary?
 Monroe Doctrine: policy that barred European nations from
interfering in Latin America
 Roosevelt Corollary: authorized the U.S. to act as a “policemen” in
the Latin American region.
Policing the Hemisphere
 Teddy Roosevelt’s foreign
policy: “Speak softly and
carry a big stick”
 Monroe Doctrine barred
European nations from
intervening in Latin
America
 Roosevelt Corollary
authorized the US to act
as “police” in the region