At the dawn of the 20th century, imperialism and progressivism were the two driving forces of American thought. The need to conquer new territory, dominate markets and control naval spheres informed Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy. His domestic policy, however, was fueled by progressivism, a desire for progressive social changes that would benefit all Americans.
Imperialism
· a quest for new markets and raw materials
· Jingoism: aggressive nationalism
· Goal: conquest
Capt. Alfred Thayer Mahan
· 1859: graduated from Naval Academy at Annapolis
· Outstanding naval career; he was asked to found the U.S. Naval college
· While researching, learned of RomeÕs reliance on naval power
Mahan's ideas
· 1890: The Influence of Sea Power upon History
· History as propaganda
· U.S. needs to establish naval superiority in the Caribbean and the Pacific
· U.S. needs to establish an isthmian canal
· U.S. needs to control the Pacific
America's new territories
· Alaska
· Hawaii
· Samoa
· Cuba
· Philippines
· Panama
War of Cuban Independence
· Cuba had been under Spanish control for centuries
· Repeated Cuban revolts had been ruthlessly put down by Spain
· Many Americans extended help to Cuban revolutionaries; some saw a strategic interest
Journalism
· William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal
· Joseph Pulitzer's New York World
· It was a "battle of gigantic proportions in which the sufferings of Cuba merely chanced to furnish some of the most convenient ammunition."
New York Journal
· Editor: William Randolph Hearst
· Released a letter from a Spanish official to a friend in Havana
· The letter was stolen from the post office by a Cuban spy
· President McKinley was called "weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd."
Explosion of the Maine
· 266 Americans died
· New York press sensationalized the incident
· The public demanded war
"Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain!"
William McKinley
· Asks Congress for permission to use troops against Spain
· Congress exceeds request, declares Cuba independent and demands the Spain withdraw from Cuba
· McKinley announces a blockade (and act of war)
· Congress declares war retroactively
Theodore Roosevelt
· Resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy
· Organized a volunteer unit
· Orders a custom-fitted cavalry uniform from Brooks Brothers
· Travels in Henry PlantÕs trains to Tampa, where a U.S. headquarters had recently been built
War
· War for Cuban Independence
· The Spanish American War
· Combat lasted 4 months
· Dramatic climax: When Roosevelt charged up San Juan Hill
Peace
· Cuban independence (established a naval base at Guantanamo Bay)
· U.S. annexes Puerto Rico (important outpost guarding approaches to the Caribbean)
· U.S. occupies Manila (important outpost guarding approaches to the Pacific)
Terrorism
· Sept. 6, 1901: the assassination of William McKinley
· Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y.
· Leon Czolgosz shot the president at point-blank range
President Roosevelt
· At 42, Roosevelt is the youngest man to ever become president
· Wanted to establish an isthmian canal, like his friend Mahan had suggested
· Advocated Progressive reforms, which had been opposed by McKinley
Columbia
· Columbia owned the land where Roosevelt wanted to build a canal
· Roosevelt made several offers
· Columbians refused
· Panamanian independence
· U.S. decided to support an "independence movement" (created by the United States) to overthrown the "oppressive regime" of Columbia
· Panamanian rebels throw out Columbia
· Panama declares independence
· Panama allows U.S. to build a canal
Progressivism
· Social problems
· Poverty
· Unsafe working conditions
· Epidemics
· Child labor
· Unhealthy factories
· Alcoholism
Muckrakers
· Solving social problems would take more than idealism
· Journalists known as muckrakers exposed social ills
· TR named the Muckrackers using a quote fromPilgrim's Progress: "the man who could look no way but downward with the muck-rake in his hands; who would neither look up nor regard the crown he was offered, but continued to rake to himself the filth on the floor."
Jacob Riis
· Explored slum conditions in How the Other Half Lives (1890)
· Reliance on specific, hard facts as weapons of social criticism pioneered the style of crusading journalism that continues today
Progressive accomplishments
· An end to child labor
· Regulating hours
· Overtime pay
· Democratic reforms
Increasing Democracy
· Initiative
· Referendum
· Direct primary
· Recall
· Direct election of Senators
