What factors shaped American Imperialism?

American yearning for a new West, combined with the desire to compete with land grabbing European powers pushed the United States to the world stage as an imperial power, but the moral conscience of their own roots left many Americans with mixed feelings. Like the area between the Mississippi and Appalachians, and then the Plains and eventually the entire western coast, Americans desired to push ever west, for a host of reasons. The idea that new and raw land, chocked full of unexploited resources and open to the industrial arms of entrepreneurial settlers attracted many, though only a minority would actually move. In fact, the West served more as a mental rest, with many people, trapped in eastern industrial factories happy to know that opportunity existed, in case of some calamity. With the Census Bureau announcing in 1890 that the West was closed a general sense of panic struck. Americans felt that they had lost some sort of fall-back, and so began to pressure for new lands that would take the place of the homesteads they once had access to. Additionally, the West had provided the nation with many of its unfinished goods, and was an excellent market for the eastern factories. Capitalists pushed to annex and gain control of new lands in an effort to gain new opportunities. The land-grabbing of European powers also pressured the United States to feel left out. Americans had always viewed themselves the moral betters of their European roots, but now thirsted to compete on an economic and empirical scale. Alfred Mahans influential The Influence of Sea Power on History advocated the acquisition of several key locations, notably Alaska, Hawaii, and a Central American canal (Panama) for their strategic advantages as coaling stations and buffer territories to invading forces. With most of Africa taken, and strong, or at

least boisterous, governments established throughout most of South America, The United States turned its attention to various islands. Through the Spanish-American War, the Philippines along with Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba were all taken under the wing of the growing Colossus of the North, the loving name given by many of Americas southern neighbors, who saw quickly that friendly relationships were often one-sided. However, the American people had personal objections to some of the expansion. Looking back on their own roots, few could justify, in line with democratic ideals, the subjugation of another people. Ironically, moral justifications abounded, mostly due to racism and Social Darwinism. Many Americans felt that the people of conquered places were unfit to rule themselves, especially in the Philippines. Still, significant force was thrown behind AntiImperialists, who clamored loudly for Americans and more so the government, to respect the ideals set forth by the Founding Fathers and not to become an oppressive Britain. In the end, questions about democratic ideals and legality were stream-rolled over to quench the longing for fresh earth that had quickly gripped the frenzied American population. Only after internal conflict and profits failing to arise did the United States finally relinquish control of the Philippines and Cuba, though prosperous and advantages territories, such as Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam (also possibly considered would be the military base on Cuba, Guantanamo Bay) would be kept firmly held.

How did the United States gain control of former Spanish colonies?

The United States gained control of former Spanish colonies primarily through the Spanish-American War, which was undertaken for the purpose of gaining territory, but publically fought for the emancipation of oppressed peoples. However, some Spanish colonies were actually purchased, though only because of disadvantageous timing. Under the initial guise of aiding oppressed Cubans, the United States pressured Spain to relinquish control of the island to its inhabitants. Although initially refusing, Spain later agreed, feeling threatened and hoping to stop any further losses. However, yellow journalism, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the Maines destruction fueled American agitation. President McKinley asked, and received, permission to forcefully assist the Cubans. In a first strike, Assistant Navy Secretary Theodore Roosevelt sent a fleet of ships to the Philippines, where they easily overmatched the Spanish flotilla. Next was a naval victory at Santiago, Cuba, followed by a terrestrial conquest that relied more on momentum than sound strategy or ability. In an effort to gain more territory before the wars end, American forces stormed into a defenseless and somewhat welcoming Puerto Rico. The Spanish, their fleets quite overwhelmed by a new and upgraded American Navy, signed a peace treaty giving up control of Cuba and formally giving control of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the United States. However, because the capture of Manila occurred after the treaty, it had to be purchased for $20 million dollars. The United States then proceeded to gain indirect control of Cuba through various amendments to the fledgling countrys constitution, notably the Platt amendment. Cuba was not a technical territory, but instead the beginning of several protectorates.

Although the Spanish-American War was a splendid little war it had huge impacts on the United States, with a great deal of territory coming under control, along with huge responsibilities.

How did the United States administer its new found territories?

The United States pursued several strategies in keeping its newly acquired territories in a pacified and stable state, mostly through the use of a military presence. Additionally, the territories had no political representation, and thus, were easier to control. However, like any subdued people, many inhabitants were fairly rebellious. In these cases additional action was required. The United States kept an armed force in many of its colonies until full integration could be assured. Eleven thousand troops were initially sent to the Philippines to help quell any rebellion. Eventually, these troops would become a major part of the Philippine rebellion. The United States would fight the insurrectionists, causing a horrific death toll of Filipinos. Other acquisitions were less harshly ruled. Cuba was administered less directly, as it was a protectorate, and not a full-fledged territory. Through economic pressures and the Platt amendment and the Guantanamo base, the United States kept a firm grip on a supposedly independent country. In areas such as Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, less force was needed, as the inhabitants were considerably more willing to come under American rule. Smaller islands, such as Guam and American Samoa, were dominated by the presence of military bases and were rarely in a position to dispute any authority. Within the new territories, the flag was not followed by the Constitution, allowing for administration to be more effective. However, although a dictatorial rule is effective, it generally breeds disdain. Also, because the territories carried no weight, they were never pandered to by politicians, further subjugating them as second-rate pieces of land.

The United States administered its possessions with military force when needed, especially in the Philippines, but resorted to economic manipulation in other areas were the rule was unofficial, such as Cuba. In most other possessions, a heavy hand was not needed, and the United States simply engulfed them economically.

How did Theodore Roosevelt assert American power?

President Theodore Roosevelt followed closely his policy of Speak softly and carry a big stick[] in his numerous dealings on the world stage. Roosevelts actions can be divided geographically, with the Pacific and the Caribbean theatre. He both pressured countries economically, and militaristically. In the Pacific theatre, Roosevelt both brandished and boasted of his big stick. An overbearing conflict between Japan and Russia was quietly mediated by Roosevelt, who wished to see neither power dominate. In the Philippines, even before presidency, Theodore Roosevelt played an important role by dispatching a fleet to capture the archipelago, demonstrating his readiness to use force. With Japan, future relations would be marred by racism in California, which would require to Roosevelt to intervene and create the Gentlemens Agreement. He would then proceed to send a fleet of white boats around the world in an attempt to impress foreign powers. Within the Caribbean Sea, Roosevelt began to make the waters into what was called a Yankee pond. Roosevelt facilitated the Panamanian revolt against Columbia and the creation of the Panama Canal in an effort to create a superior naval force. Especially dominating to the southern neighbors of the United States was the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which essentially granted the United States the sole right to boss around Central, Caribbean, and South American countries. President, diplomat and Naval Assistant Secretary Theodore Roosevelt not only preached his ideals of quiet intimidation, he backed them with numerous shows of strength, all based on the United States new found prestige as a military power from the Spanish-American War.