Imperialism
Imperialism is the act in which a bigger country takes control over a smaller country. America was initially born from imperialsm which makes some of their decisions very undertandable. Here are two key events from imperialsm that have caught my eye in history.
U.S. INTERVENTION IN CARRIBEAN
LOCATION: CARRIBEAN ISLANDS 1898-1934
- Monroe Doctrine
This is one of the best known U.S policy toward the Westren Hemishpere. This policy was originated by President James Monroe in 1823. It warned European nations not to get involved in political matters in Central and South America. The Doctrine was intended to show that the United States was the only country that could influence such political matters.
- Big Stick Diplomacy
Big stick diplomacy, or Big stick policy refers to U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy: "speak softly, and carry a big stick." Roosevelt would speeak calmly to other countries to try and convince them into something. For instance, when they fought for Cuba's independence.
- Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is an artificial 48-mile waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The United States raised intrest in the Panama Canal because it would be a convenient passageway between the Pacific and the Atlantic. However, at that time, Panama was owned by Columbia who refused to let the US build this canal. Panama on the other hand, disliked Columbia’s rule over it and sided with the Americans. The US agreed to free Panama from the Columbians in return for permission of building the Panama Canal.
- U.S POSSESSION OF PUERTO RICO
One year after Spain granted Puerto Rico self-rule, American troops raised the U.S. flag over the Caribbean nation, formalizing U.S. authority over the island’s one million people. In July 1898, towards the end of the Spanish-American War, U.S. forces launched an invasion of Puerto Rico, which was one of Spain’s two principal possessions in the Caribbean.
People involved
Manuel Amador GuerreroJune 30, 1833- May 2,1909
Manuel Amador Guerrero was involved in the Carribean because he was the first Preisdnet of Panama from February 20, 1904 to October 1, 1908. If we go back in history we will find how important Panama was to the U.S because of its location joining the two oceans, Atlantic and Pacific, which would be great for trading. |
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U.S. Intervention in Carribean Locations!
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SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
LOCATION: CUBA APRIL 1898- AUGUST 1898
The cause of the 1898 Spanish-American War began with the Wilson-Gorman Tariff of 1894. The American tariff, which put restrictions on sugar imports to the United States, hurt the economy of Cuba, which was based on producing and selling sugar. In Cuba, then a Spanish colony, angry nationalists known as the insurrectos began a revolt against the ruling Spanish colonial regime.
Source: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/spanishamerican/summary.html
- Root Cause: The root cause of the Spanish-American War were demands by Cuban patriots for independence.
- Specific Cause: Cuban patriots fought for independence from Spanish rule made U.S. intervention in Cuba a paramount issue in the relations between the United States and Spain.
TIMELINE
- April 25, 1898: The U.S. Congress declares war on Spain.
- May 1, 1898: In the first battle between Spanish and American Forces, U.S. Commodore Dewey and his Asiatic squadron defeat the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in the Philippines.
- June 22, 1898: U.S. troops land in Cuba.
- July 1, 1898: U.S. forces defeat the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Heights.
- July 3, 1898: U.S. forces destroy the Spanish Fleet off Santiago Bay, Cuba.
- July 17, 1898: The Spanish surrender at Santiago.
- August 12, 1898: The U.S. and Spain sign the Protocol of Peace, ending hostilities between the two.
- December 10, 1898: The Treaty of Paris is signed by representatives from the U.S. and Spain. After extensive debate, the treaty is ratified by the U.S. senate on February 6, 1899. Under the treaty, the U.S. acquires control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.
People involved
William McKinleyJanuary 29, 1843-
September 14, 1901 William Mckinley was the U.S. President from 1896 to his assassination in 1901. During his administration, the two important issues of tariff and currency were overshadowed by the Spanish-American War of 1898. President McKinley attempted to prevent war and endeavored to persuade the Spanish government to adopt a conciliatory policy with the Cuban insurrectionists. The Spanish government yielded too late to restrain the popular demand in the United States for intervention. |
Alfred T. MahanSeptember 27, 1840-
December 1, 1914 Alfred T. Mahan was an American naval officer who published The Influence of Sea Power Upon History in 1890. His views, advocating the importance of a strong Navy and a worldwide network of coaling stations to protect trading routes, held great influence on military thought in both the US and Europe around the time of the Spanish-American War. |
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Affected Areas!
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Personal outlook
In my opinion, imperialism brought some pros like the development of modern technologies and building stronger economies. But it brought many cons along with it such as racism, slave trade, riots, etc. For these reasons I believe imperialism was justible. I don't believe racism and slavery can be someting countries allow, no matter the circumstances. I also believe it allowed some countries to have too much power over another.
Political Cartoon
This political cartoon symbolizes the idea of a country, in this case Europe, taking over a smaller country. Africa is shown as a pizza that different countries in Europe feel as if they have a fair share of. In reality, Africa was not for anyone's taking. However it was rich in resources and land, and this drew everyone in.