SUPERPOWER
Manifest Destiny and imperialism
Manifest Destiny: 19th century doctrine, belief US expansion throughout
American continents inevitable (justified aggression- export
democracy/liberty)
Imperialism: policy extending country’s power & influence through
diplomacy or military force.
late 19th century: surge in European imperialism & emerging market
economy (need stronger navy) - Americans questioned isolationism fear
of territorial decline
USA foreign Policy = more assertive: annexation of Hawaii, 1898 (naval
base) Panama independence (economic advantage: P. channel), Cuba
independence under US influence (economic/military advantage)
Roosevelt 1933-1945 continued isolationist trend & acted peacemaker
19th century USA = accepted as world power: influenced by isolation &
secure position surrounded by large oceans/weak neighbours
The Spanish-American War
Americas supported ongoing struggle for Cuban & Filipino independence
against Spanish & mysterious explosion of battleship U.S.S. Maine in
Havana Harbour (killed 260 Americans - Spain blamed by public) so
President McKinley declared Spanish-American war (April 21 – August
13, 1898)- America won
peace treaty signed, Paris, December 1898: recognized Cuban
independence & American annexation of the Philippines, Puerto Rico &
Pacific island of Guam (fierce debate about morality of empire - foreign
conflict? Expenditure? & against Declaration of Independence?)
surge in national pride (successful war) commercial, strategic, military
adv. to empire
The role of Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) in foreign policy (1913-1921)
Idealistic, believer in liberalism - reverse aggressive policies of
predecessors – Oct. 1913: announced ‘USA never again seek additional
foot of territory by conquest ' but intervened militarily x1 in Cuba, x2
Panama and x5 in Honduras
Mexican non-liberal revolution began 1911 – military dictator, General
Huerta, seized Mexican power 1913, Wilson outraged -authorized
intervention until 1917- US bombardment of Vera Cruz, killing 126
Mexicans- upset both sides in the Mexican civil war – political turmoil
civil war ended 1917- Mexico adopted liberal constitution, what Wilson
wanted but Mexican national pride and USA relations damaged
The role of the USA in World War I
August 1914 US ‘neutral’– allies loaned $ 2 bill- Germany $ 27 mill
1915 sinking passenger liner (128 Americans killed) & intercepted
telegraph suggesting Mexico & Germany in cahoots – Wilson (none-
neutral) threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Germany
(violation of Monroe Doctrine & threat to US security & world democracy)
Manifest Destiny and imperialism
Manifest Destiny: 19th century doctrine, belief US expansion throughout
American continents inevitable (justified aggression- export
democracy/liberty)
Imperialism: policy extending country’s power & influence through
diplomacy or military force.
late 19th century: surge in European imperialism & emerging market
economy (need stronger navy) - Americans questioned isolationism fear
of territorial decline
USA foreign Policy = more assertive: annexation of Hawaii, 1898 (naval
base) Panama independence (economic advantage: P. channel), Cuba
independence under US influence (economic/military advantage)
Roosevelt 1933-1945 continued isolationist trend & acted peacemaker
19th century USA = accepted as world power: influenced by isolation &
secure position surrounded by large oceans/weak neighbours
The Spanish-American War
Americas supported ongoing struggle for Cuban & Filipino independence
against Spanish & mysterious explosion of battleship U.S.S. Maine in
Havana Harbour (killed 260 Americans - Spain blamed by public) so
President McKinley declared Spanish-American war (April 21 – August
13, 1898)- America won
peace treaty signed, Paris, December 1898: recognized Cuban
independence & American annexation of the Philippines, Puerto Rico &
Pacific island of Guam (fierce debate about morality of empire - foreign
conflict? Expenditure? & against Declaration of Independence?)
surge in national pride (successful war) commercial, strategic, military
adv. to empire
The role of Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) in foreign policy (1913-1921)
Idealistic, believer in liberalism - reverse aggressive policies of
predecessors – Oct. 1913: announced ‘USA never again seek additional
foot of territory by conquest ' but intervened militarily x1 in Cuba, x2
Panama and x5 in Honduras
Mexican non-liberal revolution began 1911 – military dictator, General
Huerta, seized Mexican power 1913, Wilson outraged -authorized
intervention until 1917- US bombardment of Vera Cruz, killing 126
Mexicans- upset both sides in the Mexican civil war – political turmoil
civil war ended 1917- Mexico adopted liberal constitution, what Wilson
wanted but Mexican national pride and USA relations damaged
The role of the USA in World War I
August 1914 US ‘neutral’– allies loaned $ 2 bill- Germany $ 27 mill
1915 sinking passenger liner (128 Americans killed) & intercepted
telegraph suggesting Mexico & Germany in cahoots – Wilson (none-
neutral) threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Germany
(violation of Monroe Doctrine & threat to US security & world democracy)
