America's Rise to Power

Main Points/Ideas

America's Rise to Power: Main Idea

In the 1800s the USA began a policy of imperialism and expansionism.

The need for new markets for our expanding industry created this need.

By force, by treaty, or purchase the USA began to expand its overseas holdings. This expansion included the purchase of Alaska and the forced takeover of Hawaii.

The Spanish American War gave the USA control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Phillippines, and other nations around the world.

Imperialism

Imperialism

The economic, military, and political control over a weaker nation.

Industrialization created a need for new markets for American products.

Europe had been taking control of many weaker nations, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. The USA began to look overseas for markets of our own and we looked west across the Pacific.

How did the US become involved

in the Spanish American War?

Spanish American War - 1898

How the US became involved:

1. In 1898 the USA helped Cuba gain independence from Spain.

2. The USA sent the USS Maine (a battleship) to Cuba to investigate claims that the Spanish were abusing the Cuban people

Then.... the USS Maine mysteriously exploded!!!

This caused Americans to scream for war with Spain.

What happened when the USA became involved

in the Spanish American War?

Spanish American War - 1898

What Happened when the US became involved:

1. The first actions of the war were fought in the Philippines (Pacific islands controlled by Spain).  Victory was quick for the USA.

2. The next action took place 90 miles south of the USA in Cuba. Thousands volunteered to fight in Cuba, including Teddy Roosevelt & his Rough Riders.

3. Victory again came quickly, more men died from mosquito bites and malaria than died fighting the Spanish.

What were the results of the USA's involvement

in the Spanish American War?

Spanish American War - 1898

Results of USA's involvement:

1. After 7 months of war Spain surrendered and agreed to give or sell lands to the USA as part of the Treaty of Paris 1898.

2. New lands acquired by the USA included Cuba, the Phillippines, Puerto Rico and Guam.

3. The USA was on its way to becoming a world power!

Teddy Roosevelt's

Rise to Power

Teddy Roosevelt's Rise to Power

Gained fame in Spanish American War

by "charging up San Juan Hill" in Cuba.

Elected in 1900 as William McKinley's Vice-President.

Roosevelt became the USA's President in 1901 when President McKinley was assassinated.

Teddy Roosevelt's

Foreign Policy

Teddy Roosevelt's Foreign Policy

Many European and Asian nations claimed trading rights with China.

Roosevelt believed in an "Open Door" policy with China.

This was to allow all nations to trade with China, not just a few.

Teddy Roosevelt's Foreign Policy

Teddy Roosevelt's Political Views

President Roosevelt felt USA should become a world power.

Roosevelt's favorite saying was "Speak softly, but carry a big stick".

As a show of our power, President Roosevelt sent our "Great White Fleet" of ships on a world cruise to let the world know we were a first class naval power.

Yellow Journalism

Yellow Journalism

An exaggerated style of newspaper reporting.

Yellow journalismwas partly responsible for the USA entering into a war with Spain in 1898.

Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Roosevelt was responsible for building the Panama Canal.

Roosevelt felt a canal was needed to have speedy access between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It would cut travel time, save money, and benefit our military in times of war.

Expansionism

Expansionism

The USA expanded its borders in the 1800s as a result of purchases, annexation by force, and as a result of treaties.

Alaska(1867):  Purchased from Russia and became a state in 1959

Hawaii (1898): Annexed by USA in 1898 and became a state in 1959

Cuba (1898): USA gained control as a result of the Spanish American War and they gave up control in 1934

Puerto Rico (1898): USA gained control over as a result of the Spanish American War and Puerto Rico remains a territory of the USA!

Phillippine Islands (1898): USA paid Spain $20 million following the Spanish American War for the Phillippines.