America's Imperialistic Endeavors in Latin America and the Pacific

Why Imperialize?

            For the money!   Farmers and factory owners began looking outward for the foreign markets.  With increased productivity and labor (immigrants and natural population increase), it made perfect sense.  The United States pushed an idea called the Big Sister policy, which was an attempt to get Latin American countries to buy from Northern traders. 

Venezuela – From 1895-1896 gold was found in this country.  Venezuela had long disputed its boundary with British Guiana, and with gold, these tensions were brought even higher.  America joined in, invoking the Monroe Doctrine, and Britain backed off.  The compromise between Britain and America was coined the Great Rapprochement.

Hawaii – When the McKinley Tariff (1890) raised taxes on Hawaiian sugar imports, many Americans (especially white planters), got mad.  They demanded annexation.  That was joined with desires for the Hawaiian Islands to be a naval defense base.  Though, due to resistance from Queen Liliuokalani and then eventual heightening of military fears, Hawaii wasn’t annexed until 1898.

Cuba – The people of Cuba began to revolt against the Spanish empire in 1895, partly due to oppression, and partly due to economic issues spurring from American tariffs.  Spain attempted to crush the revolt.  The United States sent the battleship Maine over to Cuba to protect and evacuate Americans, claiming it was just for a “friendly visit.”  The ship mysteriously exploded, which was actually due to mechanical issues, yet Americans insisted it was an attack from Spain.  President McKinley, stuck in between the desire to stifle Spain’s possession of Cuba, yet, for a fear of retaliation, he eventually compromised with the Teller Amendment.  This amendment stated that when the US overthrew Spain’s rule in Cuba they would give Cubans their freedom.

            The US put together an army coined “Rough Riders” due to the fact that many were cowboys, ex-convicts, etc.  The US overthrew Spanish rule in August 1898.  By 1902 the US withdrew from Cuba, yet the US did not seem to follow the Teller Amendment to well.  The US came up with the Platt Amendment, with forbade Cubans to sign treaties that would put their independence at stake and take on debt beyond what they can handle, or else the US could intervene.

Puerto Rico – Spain was forced to give this area up after the war over Cuba.  It became a territory in the United States.  The Foraker Act (1900) granted the Puerto Ricans a limited democratic government.  In the famed Insular Cases the Supreme Court said that Puerto Ricans did not enjoy all the same rights as Americans, despite being subject to American rule.

Philippines – This area really stumped McKinley.  He didn’t want to leave it to the Spanish and he didn’t want to let it be free, fearing it would fall into anarchy.  Not only that, but Wall Street was yelling opportunities for money and Protestants were yelling opportunities for converts.  America decided to buy the islands.  The Anti-Imperialist League argued this would never turn a profit, and that such a despotic government in the American owned Philippines could bring despotism to home. 

            The Philippines, expecting independence like Cuba, did not get freedom.   They had a rebellion that was crushed in 1901, and did not gain there independence until 1946. 

What’s the deal with the Panama Canal?

            Under Roosevelt, the US felt it needed faster mobility through the Americas for economic and military reasons.  The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901) with Britain gave the US the OK to build the canal.  It is also important to note that in this whole ordeal Columbia felt left out, and this hurt US relations with South America.

I know this is long, but I hope it provides a good tool for studying.  As always, please feel free to add or revise as you feel necessary.  Here is a question to respond to:  Did the US have good reasons to imperialize in Latin America and the Pacific, or is this just another example of heartless exploitation?  Explain.