| American Imperialism: Political and Economic Expansion (1826-1914) |
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Sections:- Henry Cabot Lodge, “Our Blundering Foreign Policy,” (March 1895)
- Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan
- Hawaii-United States Treaty (1826)
- Treaty Of Reciprocity Between the United States of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom (1875)
- Hawaii-United States Convention (1884)
- Hawaiian Kingdom Constitution of 1887 Granted by Kalakaua Rex (July 6, 1887)
- President Grover Cleveland's Message to Congress on Hawaii
- The Beginning of the Spanish-American War
- Admiral Dewey: Report on the Battle of Manila Bay (May 4, 1898)
- The End of the Spanish-American War
- Platt Amendment (1901)
- John Hay's Open Door Policy with China
- President William McKinley Pan-American Speech
- President Theodore Roosevelt’s Annual Message to Congress: The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (December 6, 1904)
- The Panama Canal
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| Historical Context
European countries had been involved in imperialism (the quest for colonial empires) for centuries before the United States started to build a colonial empire. Countries wanted colonies for economic reasons, like the need for markets and raw materials, and to spread their political systems and Christianity. In the late 1800s people in the United States wanted to become more involved in Imperialism.
Attached Document
Henry Cabot Lodge, a senator from Massachusetts, was one supporter of US expansion. Below is a quote from Lodge about US imperialism.
Questions to consider
1. How was the society and economy of America changing in the late 19th century? Why would these changes encourage some people to advocate Imperialist policies?
2. How would you characterize the Imperialist worldview? |
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| Historical Context
On March 31 1854 representatives of Japan and the United States signed a historic treaty. A United States naval officer, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, negotiated tirelessly for several months with Japanese officials to achieve the goal of opening the doors of trade with Japan.
For two centuries, Japanese ports were closed to all but a few Dutch and Chinese traders. The United States hoped Japan would agree to open certain ports so American vessels could begin to trade with the mysterious island kingdom. In addition to interest in the Japanese market, America needed Japanese ports to replenish coal and supplies for the commercial whaling fleet.
On July 8,1853 four black ships led by USS Powhatan and commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry, anchored at Edo (Tokyo) Bay. Never before had the Japanese seen ships steaming with smoke. They thought the ships were "giant dragons puffing smoke." They did not know that steamboats existed and were shocked by the number and size of the guns on board the ships.
At age 60, Matthew Perry had a long and distinguished naval career. He knew that the mission to Japan would be his most significant accomplishment. He brought a letter from the President of the United States, Millard Fillmore, to the Emperor of Japan. He waited with his armed ships and refused to see any of the lesser dignitaries sent by the Japanese, insisting on dealing only with the highest emissaries of the Emperor.
The Japanese government realized that their country was in no position to defend itself against a foreign power, and Japan could not retain its isolation policy without risking war. On March 31, 1854, after weeks of long and tiresome talks, Perry received what he had so dearly worked for--a treaty with Japan. The treaty provided for:
1. Peace and friendship between the United States and Japan.
2. Opening of two ports to American ships at Shimoda and Hakodate.
3. Help for any American ships wrecked on the Japanese coast and protection for shipwrecked persons.
4. Permission for American ships to buy supplies, coal, water, and other necessary provisions in Japanese ports.
Question to consider
1. Should Commodore Perry be celebrated as an emissary of trade, vilified as an imperialist, or niether? Explain your answer.
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The United States first became involved with Hawaii when missionaries traveled there to convert its residents to Christianity in the 1820s. When missionaries arrived, kings and queens ruled the Hawaiians in a system that had existed for a thousand years.
Attached Document
The following is one of the first treaties between the United States and Hawaii.
Questions to Consider
1.What does "perpetual" mean in this context?
2.Who does the term “Sandwich Islands” refer to?
3.Who did Hawaii agree to open their ports to?
4.What circumstances would permit Hawaii to close their ports to this country?
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| Historical Context
A large sugar plantation was established in Hawaii in 1935 by a Boston merchant. This was just the first of many American-owned plantations in the islands. As the US sugar plantation owners continued to make money, they expanded their enterprises and began to import laborers from China and Japan. By the 1870s, most of Hawaii’s land and trade was owned and controlled by Americans.
Attached Document
In 1875 another treaty was made between the United States and Hawaii. Included here is the "Treaty of Reciprocity" between the U.S. and Hawaii.
Questions to consider
1.What does it mean when the treaty says the United States is “free of duty?”
2.In Article IV it says “so long as this Treaty shall remain in force, he will not lease or otherwise dispose of or create any lien upon any port, harbor, or other territory in his dominions, or grant so special privilege or right of use therein, to any other power, state, or government, nor make any treaty by which any other nation shall obtain the same privileges, relative to the admission of any articles free of duty hereby secured to the United States” What does this mean for the United States and Hawaii?
3.Based on Article V, how long was this treaty supposed to last?
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Attached Document
The following is an extension of the previous 1875 treaty between the United States and Hawaii.
Questions to consider
1.In Article I, the term of the treaty is extended. How many years was it extended?
2.What did the United States claim exclusive rights to in Article II?
3.What could they establish there?
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| Historical Context
In 1886, Americans in Hawaii formed the Hawaiian League. The goal of this group was to overthrow the king and have the US annex Hawaii. In July 1887, the new constitution for Hawaii was written and the Hawaiian League forced King Kalakaua to sign it. This constitution both limited the king's power and limited native Hawaiians' right to hold government office.
Attached Document
The following is the constitution, known as the Bayonet Constitution, that King Kalakaua was forced to sign.
Questions to consider
1. The words in Article 1 are similar to those in an important document in US history. What document is it similar to?
2. Articles 1 through 12 are also similar to another important US document. Which one?
3. In Article 21 it states, “this Kingdom is that of a Constitutional Monarchy.” What does this mean?
4. Who will the throne go to after King Kalakaua?
5. What type of person will the throne never go too?
6. Why do you think Americans in Hawaii were successful in their efforts to emasculate the Hawaiian monarchy and curtail the rights of its citizens?
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After King Kalakaua died, his sister Queen Liliuokalani took over the throne. She was a strong believer in Hawaii nationalism and wanted to overturn the Bayonet Constitution. Many Americans did not want her in power, especially when she announced her plan to create a new constitution. Shortly after this announcement, Americans in Hawaii forced themselves into government buildings and took them over. Marines came ashore, supposedly to protect American lives and property. Queen Liliuokalani then stepped down to prevent the loss of life.
Sanford B. Dole took over as president of Hawaiian islands and asked the US government to annex them. However, President Grover Cleveland did not agree with the events that led to Dole becoming president and refused to annex Hawaii.
Attached Document
The following attached document is Cleveland's message to Congress about Hawaii.
Questions to consider
1. Create a rough timeline of the events detailed in Cleveland's message. What is your overall impression of this attempt at annexation?
2. What is President Cleveland's objection to actions by Americans in Hawaii during the previous administration?
3. Why did Queen Liliuokalani surrender? How does her explanation differ with that of United States officials?
4. What does Cleveland say about the legality of the provisional government?
5. What actions regarding the treaty does Cleveland intend to take?
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| Historical Context
Americans had sugar plantations in other foreign places besides Hawaii. Cuba was another island in which Americans had economic interests. But unlike Hawaii, Cuba was a colony of Spain. The people in Cuba had tried to revolt against the Spanish but were unsuccessful. In 1895, the Cubans again tried to revolt and this time the US became involved. Because there were Americans in Cuba when the 1895 revolt began, President McKinley sent the USS Maine to help any United States citizens in need.
On February 15, 1898, the Maine exploded killing 260 Americans. Many Americans blamed Spain for the sunken ship and on April 19, 1898, Congress declared war on Spain. Thus began the Spanish-American war.
Attached Document
This is a letter written by a crew member the day after the USS Maine was lost.
The first photo shows the U.S.S. Maine entering Havana harbor, about three weeks before it exploded.
In the second photo, a U.S. Navy diving crew works on the wreckage.
Questions to consider
1. According to George Blow's letter, was the crew of the Maine expecting any violence? Does he know why the Maine exploded?
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As soon as the Spanish-American War began, the US began offensive operations in Spain's main base in the Pacific, the Philippine Islands. Like the Cubans, the Filipinos had previously attempted to overthrow the Spanish and, in 1898, they were again trying to gain their independence.
This was the backdrop for the first battle in the Spanish-American War. The Battle of Manila Bay started at dawn and, by 11 a.m., the US had wiped out the entire Spanish fleet.
After the Spanish surrendered to the US in the Philippines, the US annexed the islands. The Filipinos continued to fight for their independence, this time against a new foe.
Attached Documents
Puck magazine published the following cartoon depicting Cuba's difficult situation in the 1890s.
The official report given by the head of the Pacific fleet, Admiral George Dewey, appears below.
This Edison movie shows Raleigh," which fired the first gun at Manila.
Question to consider
1. Why were the Filipinos angered by the actions of the United States after the Spanish-American War?
2. Interpret the symbolism of the cartoon below. |
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The Spanish-American War lasted only four months. In this “splendid little war,” as Secretary of State John Hay referred to it, only 345 Americans died in combat. The war ended with the capture of Santiago, Cuba by the Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt.
Attached Document
The document below formally surrendered Santiago to the US.
Secretary of State John Hay is pictured as well.
Questions to consider
1. What did the US have to do with the Spanish troops?
2. If the “Spanish forces known as volunteers, mobilizados, and guerrillas” wanted to stay on the island what did they have to do?
3.When was Santiago surrender formalized?
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| Historical Context
After the Spanish-American War the US gained control of Puerto Rico and Guam. The US also paid Spain $20 million for control of the Philippines. Cuba was the only island that gained its independence. Cubans wrote a constitution for their newly freed country, but before the US would remove troops, Cuba had to adopt the Platt Amendment. This made the island a protectorate of the US, meaning America would protect Cuba from any other nations.
Attached Document
The Platt Amendment, included here, was reluctantly agreed to by the Cubans in 1902.
Questions to consider
1.In Point III, what did Cuba “consent” to?
2.What was given to the US in Point VII?
3.Do you think this gave Cuba independence? Explain your answer?
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| Historical Context
The United States first became interested in the islands of the Pacific to enable trade with countries like China. Pacific islands could be used as coaling stations to fuel the journey to the Far East. In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay called for an Open Door Policy in relation to trade with China, which would enable any and all countries equal access to that market. He sent his Open Door Notes to European powers as well as Japan. Because they neither accepted nor rejected, Hay declared the Open Door Policy in effect.
Attached Document
The following attached document is the first note sent by Hay.
Questions to consider
1. What is a "sphere of influence"?
2. Why is Hay concerned about the practice of defining such a sphere?
3. What does Hay want other countries to promise to do/not do "within its respective sphere"?
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Attached Document
The following document is a speech by President William McKinley known as the Pan-American Speech. In it, he addresses the growing economic capacity of the United States and outlines his goals for nurturing that growth. He includes a reference to the highly desired Panama Canal, which had been previously hindered in its construction.
Questions to consider
1. What problem with trade is McKinley referring to? What measures does he advocate to address it?
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The Monroe Doctrine was issued in 1823 by President James Monroe declaring the US the protector of the Western Hemisphere. In the early 20th century, President Roosevelt wanted to make clear that he would enforce the Monroe Doctrine.
Attached Document
Included here is Roosevelt's Corollary which was intended to keep European countries out of Latin America, specifically the Dominican Republic.
Questions to consider
1. How does Roosevelt define the goal of US foreign policy?
2. According to Roosevelt, what choices does a nation have when its rights are violated? Which does he advocate? Why?
3. What is your opinion of Roosevelt's assertion that "[c]hronic wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general loosening of the ties of civilized society, may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation"?
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The Panama Canal was begun by the French builders of the Suez Canal in 1881, though the project quickly faltered primarily due to technological limitations and the impact of tropical diseases, most notably malaria. By 1904, the United States, viewing the canal as crucial for economic well being, was ready to take up construction but balked at the price that Columbia, which controlled the canal site, demanded for construction to continue. Rather than acquiesce to Columbia’s demands, the United States staged an independence movement in the Columbian state of Panama Furthermore, the United States station naval gunboats off the coast to discourage Columbian interference. The independent nation of Panama quickly agreed to allow the United States to build the canal. By 1904, technological innovations eased construction difficulties for the Americans. The introduction of quinine limited the deaths caused by malaria and improvements in lock technology allowed engineers to overcome the elevation changes that bedeviled the French. When the Panama Canal was completed in 1914, it was regarded as a wonder of the modern world. Twice as long as the Suez Canal in Egypt, the Panama Canal was, at 51 miles, the largest artificial body of water in the world. Over 30 years of intermittent construction, approximately 80,000 laborers worked on the canal an estimated 30,000 of whom died, mostly from malaria. Construction of the canal cost the United States approximately $352 million dollars. By utilizing the canal, a ship sailing from San Francisco to New York could save nearly 8,000 miles
The first image is a photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt at the controls of a steam shovel at the canal site.
The second image is a photograph of two ships dredging the canal during construction.
Question to consider
1. Has there been a comparable feat of construction in recent times?
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