Imperialism The United States and - PowerPoint Presentation

1. ImperialismThe United States and Latin America

2. Policy in Puerto Rico and CubaAmericans began calling for a more aggressive role in Latin AmericaAmerican leaders viewed Latin America as being a sphere of influence for the US and foreign nations should stay outUS influence in Latin America brought benefits to the US but contributed to anti-American hostility

3. Policy in Puerto Rico and CubaAfter the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico remained under direct US military ruleIn 1900, Congress passed the Foraker Act establishing a civil government in Puerto Rico

4. The Foraker ActAct authorized the President to appoint a governor and part of the Puerto Rican legislaturePuerto Ricans could fill the rest of the legislature in a general electionCitizenship rights for Puerto Ricans remained unclear and eventually the Supreme Court ruled Puerto Ricans did not enjoy the same rights as Americans

5. The Platt AmendmentThough the Treaty of Paris granted Cuba independence, the US Army did not leave the island until 1902US Congress forced Cuba to add the Platt Amendment to its constitution bringing the country under the US sphere of influence

6. The Platt AmendmentPrevented Cuba from signing a treaty with another nation without American approvalRequired Cuba to lease naval stations to the US and granted the US the “right to intervene” to preserve order in CubaCubans strongly disliked the Platt Amendment, but realized the US would not end its military government of the island and added the amendment to their constitution

7. Big Stick DiplomacyWhen Theodore Roosevelt became President, he promoted a new kind of diplomacy based on a strong military to achieve America’s goals called “big stick” diplomacyBased on Roosevelt’s admiration for old African saying, “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”

8. Big Stick DiplomacyRoosevelt believed in carrying a big stick due to his adherence to balance-of-power principles and his view of the US as a special nation with a moral responsibility to civilize weaker nationsBelieved Americas elite had to accept the challenge of international leadership

9. The Panama CanalRoosevelt was not the source of the idea to build a canal across Central America, but did play a significant role in its historyIn 1903, the US bought the rights to build a canal across Panama from a French company for $40 million

10. The Panama CanalBefore the US could build a canal through Panama, the US needed the consent of the Columbian government At the time, Panama was apart of ColumbiaColumbia demanded more than the US was willing to provide and negotiations stalled

11. The Panama CanalRoosevelt stepped in and sent US warships to support a Panamanian rebellion against ColumbiaUS Navy presence convinced the Columbians not to interfere and Panama soon declared independencePanama granted US control over the “Canal Zone” and 35,000 workers began construction of the canal

12. The Panama CanalAlthough doctors did develop scientific breakthroughs to combat tropical diseases, 5,000 workers still died constructing the canalCanal finally completed in 1914, cutting 8,000 nautical miles off the trip from the east coast to the west coast of the United States

13. The Roosevelt CorollaryEarly 1900s: Possibility of European intervention in Latin America presented due to Latin American countries to repay debts1903: Germany and Britain blockaded Venezuelan ports to ensure the country repaid European debts

14. The Roosevelt Corollary1904: Roosevelt announced to Congress a new Latin America policyThe President’s Roosevelt Corollary updated the Monroe Doctrine for an age of economic imperialism

15. The Roosevelt CorollaryThe Corollary stated that the US will intervene in cases of “chronic wrongdoing” by Latin American nations that European nations may use to justify military interventionUS would assume police power and restore order, depriving European nations the excuse of interveningUsed to reassert America’s longstanding policy of keeping Western Hemisphere free from European intervention

16. Taft’s Dollar DiplomacyWhen his term was over, Roosevelt picked William Howard Taft to succeed him as PresidentAfter winning the election, Taft wished to maintain open door policy in Asia and ensure continued stability in Latin America

17. Taft’s Dollar DiplomacyTaft hoped to calm anti-American feelings in Asia and Latin America by relying less on the “big stick” and more on “dollar diplomacy”Policy aimed to increase American investments in businesses and banks throughout Central America and the CaribbeanAmericans invested in plantations, mines, oil wells, etc.Still required military intervention: 1909 & 1912 Nicaragua

18. Wilson & Moral DiplomacyDuring the election of 1912, Wilson criticized the foreign policy of Roosevelt and TaftAfter winning the election, Wilson appointed William Jennings Bryan as Secretary of StateWanted to take US foreign policy in a different direction

19. Wilson & Moral DiplomacyWilson promised that the US would no longer seek new territories, but would seek to promote “human rights, national integrity, and opportunity” called Moral DiplomacyDespite his preference for “moral diplomacy,” Wilson did use military to guide Latin Americans in the direction he though proper

20. Wilson & Moral Diplomacy1915: Wilson sends troops to Haiti to protect US interests and guard against the potential of German or French aggression in the nationWilson prodded Hattian government to sign agreement giving US right to control its financial and foreign affairs

21. Revolution in MexicoFor years, Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz benefited his country’s small upper class of wealthy landowners, clerics, and military menDiaz encouraged foreign investment resulting in American business people owning large portions of Mexico’s industries

22. Revolution in MexicoMexican aristocracy and foreign investor's wealth grew while its large population suffered1911: Francisco Madero led the Mexican Revolution that toppled Diaz, but he was later overthrown due to his lack of administration skillsWilson could not accept new leader General Victoriano Huerta and instead backed Venustiano Carranza

23. Wilson Sends In Troops1914: Wilson uses US sailors arrests to help CarranzaWilson sent Marines to occupy Veracruz, which caused the Huerta government to collapseCarranza government was slow to bring about reforms, causing rebels to rise up under Francisco “Pancho” Villa

24. Wilson Sends In Troops1916: Villa’s forces crossed over border into New Mexico, raiding the town of Columbus, leaving 18 deadWilson sent General John J. Pershing and 10,000 soldiers to Mexico to chase VillaPershing chased him for several months, failing to capture him

25. Wilson Sends In Troops1917: Due to his concerns of World War I in Europe, Wilson eventually withdraws American troops from MexicoNot long afterward, US declared war on Germany and General Pershing would lead the American Expeditionary Force in Europe