Transcript Chapter 22

Becoming a World Power: 1898 – 1917
CHAPTER 22
Americas Rise to World Power
I. Why? Models? What made us a World Power
II. 19th Century Wars: 1812, 1848
III.Spanish American War 1898
IV.Philippines 1899
V. US Expansion
I. Why? What Models? What Made America into a World Power?
-Americans looked to European countries for an example and we saw colonies. The
most powerful nations were those which possessed colonies.
-Americans also possessed the industrial power and technology. We were without
question, on the verge of overtaking the greatest of European powers when it came
to trade.
-1853 – Japan
-And the final element in our rise to world power was war, World War I.
Americans emerged from their isolationist cocoon as a result of a navy to exert power and
protect trade, the desire to spread capitalism, a desire to spread Christianity to all reaches of
the globe and a desire to mimic European imperialism.
Self-interest led to development of the navy, military, and trade. International events (RussoJapanese war, French and British empire, wars, colonial holdings by Europeans), American
idealism, and desire for trade and US investments all guided America’s rise to power.
II. 19th Century Conflicts: War of 1812, 1848
1812
Britain / France
1836
Texas – Alamo
1841 Republic of Texas
1845 Texas - annexed
1848
Mexico
III. Spanish – American War, 1898
(aka. The Splendid Little War)
Prologue:
1896 – Republican platform – called for acquisition of Hawaii, use of US influence to
bring peace and independence to Cuba, construction of a Nicaraguan canal under US
ownership and control, and establishment of a naval base in the West Indies.
US Administration of McKinley quickly called upon Spain to withdraw from Cuba.
Spain assured McKinley reforms would be made.
It looked like war was averted. By 1898, reforms had not happened.
Cuban rebels demanded complete independence.
US sent the USS Maine to Havana where the warship sat in the harbor as a symbol of US
presence – protect American citizens.
“waving a match in an oil well for fun.”
The came the publication of the DeLome letter.
DeLome Letter: Private letter written in late 1897 from the Spanish minister in the United
States (DeLome), to a friend in Cuba.
The message has undeceived the insurgents who expected something else, and has paralyzed
the action of Congress, but I consider it bad. Besides the natural and inevitable coarseness
with which he repeats all that the press and public opinion of Spain has said of Weyler,
it shows once more what McKinley is: weak and catering to the rabble, and, besides, a
low politician, who desires to leave a door open to me and to stand well with the jingoes
of his party.
Nevertheless, as a matter of fact, it will only depend on ourselves whether he proves bad and
adverse to us. I agree entirely with you; without a military success nothing will be
accomplished there, and without military and political success, there is here always danger
that the insurgents will be encouraged, if not by the government, at least by part of the public
opinion.
Always you attentive friend and servant, who kisses your hands.
ENRIQUE DUPUY DE LOME
SINKING OF USS MAINE “THE WARSHIP MAINE WAS SPLIT IN TWO BY AN ENEMY'S SECRET
INFERNAL MACHINE!”
266 Sailors were killed.
Americans clamored for war: The Whole Country thrills With War Fever (another
headline from New York Journal).
Newspaper accounts created ground swell of support for Cuba and against Spain.
McKinley believed it had been an accident and hoped to calm American war fever.
US Court of inquiry found that a mine had blown up the Maine. New evidence
suggests and overheated boiler or some of accident on board the Maine caused the
explosion. However, at the time – the conclusion was Spain did it.
Senator Redfield Proctor of Vermont, visited Cuba and reported back that
thousands of Cubans lived in reconcentration camps, and “one-half have died and
one-quarter of the living are so diseased that they cannot be saved.” That children
wander around emaciated, eyes swollen, abdomen bloated and the “entire native
population of Cuba, struggling for freedom and deliverance from the worst
misgovernment …”
McKinley made one final attempt to stave off war. Spain must grant independence
to the Cubans. McKinley’s intent was to get Spain to make concessions to Cubans
– not to go to war.
Spain could not agree (due to internal political concerns).
Spain attempted to gain European support and approached Germany. The German
response:
You (Spain) are isolated, because everybody wants to be pleasant to the United States, or, at
any rate, nobody wants to arouse America’s anger; the United States is a rich country,
against which you simply cannot sustain a war.
On April 11, 1898, McKinley sent a note to Congress requesting authorization for
the use of force to stop the war on the island. Congress granted his request.
Teller Amendment – attached to authorization – proclaimed that “the
United States …disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty,
jurisdiction, or control …” over Cuba.
(Sugar growers – tariff … and later Hawaii)
April 21, 1898 – The United States went to war with Spain.
(in large part as a result of the USS Maine sinking)
The war was fought in the Spanish colonies of the Philippines and Cuba.
On June 22, 1898, the United States landed 15,000 soldiers southeast of Santiago de Cuba.
The troops engaged and defeated Spanish land forces July 1 around the city.
The most famous engagement was Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt's charge up Kettle
Hill during the Battle of San Juan Hill.
Meanwhile, U.S. naval forces blockaded the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. Spanish ships tried to
run the blockade as soon as the land engagements had begun, but pursuing American naval
vessels sank or forced the fleeing ships aground. No serious damage occurred to any U.S.
ships.
On April 27, 1898, Commodore George Dewey sailed from Hong Kong toward the
Philippines. Fighting began in the Philippine islands at the Battle of Manila Bay
on May 1 where Commodore George Dewey reportedly exclaimed, "You may fire
when ready, Gridley," destroyed the Spanish fleet under Rear Admiral Patricio
Montojo.
By mid-summer, Spain was suing for peace.
December 1898, Treaty of Paris.
Consequences of the war:
Spain relinquished the Philippines (poverty rate), Guam, Puerto Rico to the United
States, in return the US paid Spain $20 million. Cuba would be free and
independent and the US renounced and interest in possessing Cuba (Teller
Amendment).
US Battle Deaths: 385
US Non-Battle Deaths: 5,000+ due to poisoning/disease (malaria / yellow fever)
IV. The Philippines 1898 - 1902
Filipino rebels believed they would receive independence as soon as the US
defeated Spain.
However, the US kept the Philippines for three years during which time
conflict with US/rebels.
US – desire to Christianize/convert
US interest in the Philippines as a strategic geographic location and as a
commercial trading partner. With Guam and Hawaii, The Philippines played
an important role in US expansion into Asia (China).
McKinley worried about the Filipino’s ability to govern themselves - and
France or Germany would subjugate them. The Philippines, according to
McKinley were a “gift from God” and it was the US’ responsibility to ensure
their growth.
By 1902 – more than 200,000 Filipinos were dead and 5000 Americans.
V. US EXPANSION
Begins as an ideal – to become a great power, to fulfill our Manifest
Destiny, to Christianize, to encourage trade and grow our economy.
Expansion was necessary, only question was how to accomplish the
goal:
-Military presence (at first – Navy)
-Missionaries
-Trade / Commerce (capitalism/US investments)
-Conquest / Imperialism
McKinley
Saw need to expand in order to expand US economic and military power
Venezuela in 1895 – 1896 – settle financial dispute between Venezuela
and European powers.
Unclear on details
Roosevelt
Wanted US to take an assertive role
US had a special mission in the world
Others were unable to help / save themselves
US as a policeman of the world
Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine
But to do this, the US would need a Navy
-Roosevelt also believed that to be a great power one
must become involved in the resolution of disputes.
China and Japan were at war in 1904.
-Roosevelt initially backed Japan, then changed sides
and backed China (in part for economic reasons – to
gain an Open Door into the Chinese markets).
-Became concerned the conflict would involve Russia
and mediated the dispute between Japan and China.
The United States played the mediator role and finally
recognized claims to Russian and Japanese territory by
each party involved: China, Russia, Japan.
Canal became important during Spanish American War. Took 68 days
to travel from San Francisco to the Caribbean.
Where to build it?
The French!
Or somewhere else! And save money!
Colombia and the US!
US and Rebels = Panama.
Late comers to the party get crashed by the marines.
Taft
Dollar Diplomacy
Used economics to get what the US wanted – asserted US power in the economic sphere
In Asia – Taft’s policies engendered hostility from Japan toward US
Wilson
Mexico
President Huerta
Attacked by Venustiano Carranza, initially supported by US but resented US guidance in
shaping his government and policies.
Carranza takes control, reforms not meted out. General Francisco Villa, one of several who
opposed Huerta, goes against Carranza and when US recognizes Carranza, bitter toward US.
Pancho Villa – January 1916
General John “Blackjack” Pershing – March 1916, 7,000 men (grew to over 12,000)
150,000 National Guard were sent to border to protect border areas
Finally called home by February 1917 (when war seemed imminent with Germany). Carranza
bitter toward US and leaned toward Germany in the war.
At the turn of the century, the United States had expanded its military and
economic influence in Asia and the Western hemisphere.
The Teller Amendment declared the US would not use war to acquire Cuba, but
Roosevelt Corollary simply formalized what the US was already practicing –
domination of the Western Hemisphere and policeman for the world.
It was after all necessary and natural that the United States become a world
power.
To accomplish that goal, we needed a navy.
With the navy we could move about the globe lifting up inferior races because it
was the responsibility of the Anglo-Saxon race to lift up all other inferior races
and in so doing, Christianize and open new markets for these inferior people to
embrace new products from the US.