Friday, March 7, 2008

Chapter 23


Chapter 23: Becoming A World Power, 1880-1917
Section 1: The United States Continues to Expand
Main Idea: The United States expanded its interest in world affairs and acquired new
territories. By the late 1800s, many European nations had engaged in imperialism—the policy by which stronger nations take control over weaker ones. By the 1880s, many Americans thought that the United States should also have colonies overseas. This was due to three main factors. One: economic leaders argued that new colonies would increase U.S. prosperity. Two: military leaders wanted new colonies to strengthen the United States as a world power. Three: cultural superiority. Many Americans felt that their government, religion—and even race—were better than those of other nations. A strong backer of expansion was William Seward. Seward was Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. In 1867, Seward arranged the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Some Americans criticized Seward’s move. However, Alaska turned out to be a resource-rich territory. By the end of the 1800s, the United States had taken an interest in the Hawaiian Islands, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Earlier, Christians from the United States had moved to Hawaii to convert the local people. Their descendants started sugar plantations. By the late 1800s, these wealthy plantation owners controlled Hawaii’s economy. In 1887, U.S. leaders had pressured Hawaii to allow a U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. This base became an important refueling station for American ships. In 1891, Liliuokalani became queen of Hawaii. In 1893, the planters staged a revolt. With the help of the U.S. Marines, they overthrew the queen. They set up their own government and asked the United States to take over Hawaii. President Benjamin Harrison asked the Senate to approve the takeover. But before the Senate could act, Grover Cleveland became president and withdrew the request. As a result, the United States did not take over Hawaii until 1898.
Section 2: The Spanish-American War
Main Idea: Independence movements in Spanish colonies led to the Spanish-American
War in 1898. Spain had once controlled many colonies. By the 1890s, however, the nation owned only a few, including the Philippine Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. In 1895, Cubans rebelled against Spanish rule. The Spanish used harsh methods to crush the rebellion. American business leaders were concerned because the fighting disrupted U.S. trade with Cuba. Most Americans were outraged by Spain’s brutal tactics. Newspapers, in an effort to attract readers, often exaggerated news about Spanish cruelty. This sensational style of writing was known as yellow journalism. In January 1898, riots broke out in Havana, Cuba’s capital. To protect U.S. citizens there, President William McKinley sent the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba. While anchored in Havana’s harbor, the Maine mysteriously exploded and sank, killing hundreds of crew members. No one knows what caused the explosion, but Americans blamed Spain. In April 1898, President McKinley called for Cuban independence and the withdrawal of Spanish forces. Spain refused. As a result, the Spanish-American War began. First, U.S. leaders sent American ships to the Philippines, whose inhabitants also had revolted against Spanish rule in the 1890s. Part of the Spanish fleet was located there. The U.S. fleet was led by Commodore George Dewey. On May 1, 1898, American and Spanish ships engaged in battle. Dewey’s forces destroyed the Spanish ships. In June 1898, more than 16,000 U.S. soldiers invaded Cuba. One of the more famous U.S. regiments was nicknamed the Rough Riders. Theodore Roosevelt was its leader. In order to capture Santiago, which was a major Spanish stronghold, U.S. troops first had to take control of San Juan Hill. In July they did so. Days later, American ships destroyed Spain’s fleet. Santiago soon surrendered. Then, U.S. forces took Puerto Rico. On August 12, 1898, Spain signed a truce. As a result of the peace treaty, Spain gave up Cuba, Puerto Rico, the island of Guam, and the Philippines. The Philippines became a U.S. colony, although its inhabitants, the Filipinos, fought against American rule. The United States also was reluctant to grant Cuba complete independence. U.S. officials pressured Cubans to add the Platt Amendment to the country’s constitution. This amendment gave America the right to intervene in Cuba. Although Puerto Rico became an American territory, leaders such as Luis Muñoz Rivera pushed for greater independence. In 1917, Puerto Rico became a self-governing territory.
Many Americans opposed their country’s treatment of Spain’s former colonies. A group
known as the Anti-Imperialist League believed that Americans should not deny others the
right to govern themselves. Most Americans, however, supported the nation’s actions.
Section 3: U.S. Involvement Overseas
Main Idea: In the early 1900s, the United States expanded its involvement in Asia and
Latin America. By the late 1800s, the United States had strengthened its presence in Asia but lacked relations with China. Such was not the case for Japan and the major European powers. These countries had established spheres of influence—areas where foreign nations claimed special rights and economic privileges. In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay asked nations involved in China to follow an Open Door Policy. This policy declared that no single nation should have control of trade with China. Most nations accepted Hay’s proposal. However, many Chinese opposed European presence in their country. In 1900 one group, known as the “Boxers,” led the Boxer Rebellion. Although this violent uprising failed, it made the Chinese people’s feelings of resentment toward outsiders known. As American interests in the Pacific grew, U.S. leaders proposed a shortcut to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The answer was a canal through Latin America. The South American nation of Colombia controlled Panama—the best spot for the canal. When Colombia refused to give up the land, the United States supported a revolution in Panama. Out of this revolution, the new nation of Panama was created in 1903. Panamanian leaders allowed the United States to build the Panama Canal. More than 45,000 laborers worked on the canal. About 5,000 died from disease and accidents. The canal was not completed until 1914. As the U.S. economy grew, so did Americans’ interest in the resources of Latin American countries. Businesses in the United States found that they could cheaply buy food and raw materials there and then sell them in the United States for higher prices. To protect their economic interests, U.S. leaders wanted to maintain political stability in Latin America. President Roosevelt reminded Europeans of the Monroe Doctrine, which prohibited other nations from getting involved in Latin America. In 1904, the president strengthened the Monroe Doctrine by adding the Roosevelt Corollary. This policy stated that the United States would intervene in Latin American affairs when necessary to maintain stability. The United States acted on the Roosevelt Corollary. In 1906, American leaders took control of the Dominican Republic’s finances after the country failed to pay its foreign debts. A year later, America sent troops to Cuba to put down a revolt. In 1912, President Taft sent Marines to Nicaragua to restore order there.