Foreign affairs - international affairs

• What was US foreign policy under McKinley 1897-1901?

  Spanish American war 1898. - territorial expansion.

  Hawaii annexed in 1898.

  Western Samoa and Wake island annexed in 1899.

  intervention in the anti-imperialist Boxer rebellion in China in 1900 to protect free trade with China.
• Why did America go to war against Spain?

  • to ensure that the Cubans gained independence from Spain.
  • to liberate the Cubans from Spanish oppression.
  • to punish Spain for the sinking of the Maine.
  • to assert American authority and influence in the Caribbean.
  • to become a territorial power, like European states.
  • McKinley was influenced by - the yellow press, TR, Alfred Thayer Mahan.
• How did America defeat Spain?

  • ’A splendid little war’ (Hay) - lasted 10 weeks.
  • the battle of San Juan hill - Roosevelt’s rough riders.
  • Battle of Santiago de Cuba - naval battle in 1898 - US navy defeated Spanish forces sealing American victory.
  • US more motivated to take Cuba than Spain was to defend it.
• Did America benefit from the spanish American war and why?

  Yes, America benefited from the Spanish-American War because it gained territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and established itself as a global power.
• Why would America not benefit from the Spanish American war?

  • costly to develop overseas territory
  • Drew America into a race of territory
  • antagonised relationships between USA, Britain and Germany
  • led to accusations of imperialism
  • undermined what America was built on.
  • led to anti war movement
• Why did the US annex the Philippines?

  • preclusive imperialism - other imperialistic countries could not be allowed to take them
  • white mans burden - considered that the islanders were not able to govern themselves
  • progressive imperialism - many felt the US could raise the islanders to US standards and make them Christian
  • naval bases in Asia
• Why was annexing the Philippines controversial?

  Economic

  • Philippines valueless economically
  • war - Philippines not part of the USA’s war objectives so the annexation led to a 4 year war
  • Filipino revolt broke out in 1899 - only suppressed in 1902
  • ten times more US troops died suppressing revolts than in Spain