Transcript Page B in Packet

Chapter 23: Becoming a World Power
Section 1: The United States Continues to Expand
Section 2: The Spanish-American War
In the 1900’s, a lot of countries (especially
in Europe) believed in imperialism
Building empires
around the world
(also: expansionism)
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Because:
•Colonies are ways to make
money
•Countries could expand their
militaries
•Many Americans and
Europeans felt whites were
superior to other races
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Other countries in
the world were
also trying to
expand their
empires.
For example,
here’s what was
happening in
Africa at the same
time.
One place America was able to expand was:
How did Alaska get to be
part of the United States?
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Russia thought the land was worthless to
them.
Asked William Seward (Sec. of State) if we
wanted to buy it.
We did – for $7.2 million (2 cents an acre)
Called “Seward’s Folly” and
“Seward’s Icebox”
But today we’re really glad we have it
And… The Annexation of Hawaii
came next
(these were only territories – not states)
How did Hawaii get to be
part of the United States?
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Some Americans settled there and
slowly “took over.”
People grew sugar cane and pineapple
(like Sanford Dole).
U.S. government made many deals
(tax deals).
The U.S. ended up getting financial
control of Hawaii – from Queen
Liliuokalani
And… military control after a mini
revolt.
Ended up being important for its sea
lanes (the route followed by trading
ships).
Also became important refueling and
water stations.
1895: the only places Spain had
left in the America’s were:

Cuba
(rich in tobacco and
sugar)

Puerto Rico
(produced many
food products)
1895: some Cubans began
to fight for their freedom
The Spanish put any rebels they caught
in: concentration camps
(even innocent women and children)
American Newspapers printed stories about
how badly these people were being treated
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These stories would get
more people to buy
newspapers
This is called “yellow
journalism” - using
sensational headlines,
rather than real news to
sell newspapers
The U.S. sent a battleship to protect any
Americans who were there (The Maine)
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But…. one night the ship blew up
Newspapers said the Spanish probably did it and
America should go to war!!!!!
And we did…. with the battle cry: “Remember
the Maine”
The Spanish-American War
was very popular in America
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Spain still had
wooden ships
The U.S. had
brand new
steel ships
In one battle,
10 Spanish
ships were
sunk – and
not a single
American died
One famous group of soldiers who
fought in this war (in Cuba):
“The Rough Riders”
(Their leader was Teddy Roosevelt)
The war ended quickly and
Spain went back home

Cuba and Puerto Rico
were free from
Spanish rule
But being free from Spanish rule didn’t
mean they were free from American rule
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The Philippines ended up
under American control.
Cuba was under some
American control.
Puerto Rico became an
American territory.
Americans were seen as
people who’d intervene
(interventionists) in Latin
American affairs
Even today:
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Puerto Rico is an “American
Commonwealth”
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Official Name Puerto Rico,
Commonwealth territory
of the USA, claimed 1898
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Puerto Ricans share all the
rights and obligations of U.S.
citizenship, including service in
the armed forces; however,
they do not pay federal taxes
and cannot vote in national
elections. The U.S.
government handles Puerto
Rico's foreign affairs, and U.S.
military installations are
maintained on the island.
There are now close to four
million Puerto Ricans living
stateside, with reports that this
number exceeds the number
of Puerto Ricans living in
Puerto Rico