US Involvement Overseas

1. US Involvement Overseas Evaluate Imperialism overseas with a focus on the Panama Canal and China’s Open Door Policy

2. A Power in the Pacific • After annexing the Philippine Islands, American Imperialism supporters looked forward to increasing their profits and spreading democracy throughout Asia

3. United States in China

4. 1900 – Japan and other major European powers had expanded their spheres of influence in China • US did not want to be shut out of China’s vast economic opportunities • US asked for (and eventually got) an Open Door Policy put into place

5. Sphere of Influence • Areas where foreign nations claimed special rights and economic privileges • France, Germany, Britain, Japan, and Russia established prosperous settlements along the coast of China

6. Open Door Policy • US wanted access to China’s market • 1899 – US Secretary of State John Hay proposed that no single country should have a monopoly on trade with China. Other countries agreed.

7. Boxer Rebellion • One group, known as ‘Boxers’, were angered by the privileges given to foreigners and the disrespect they showed toward Chinese traditions • Led to violent uprising known as the Boxer Rebellion • Many foreigners killed before uprising was put down by an international force.

8. Panama Canal • Roosevelt saw need to connect Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as US interests in the Pacific increased • Columbia controlled land needed to build this shortcut; would not allow US access to the land • Roosevelt supported revolution that resulted in creation of the country of Panama which gave permission for the canal

9. Building the Canal • US builds and operates the canal • Swampy conditions made building the canal difficult • Took 10 years (1904 – 1914) • Over 5000 workers died from disease or accidents during the construction • Paid $10 million to Panama and $250,000 per year for usage

12. US Involvement in Latin America

13. US businesses begin to realize that there were great profits to be made in buying inexpensive food and raw materials from Latin American countries • US companies bought large tracts of land for mining and farming • Economic interests grow = political interest grow

14. Policing the Hemisphere • President Roosevelt makes it clear to the world that the US would forever use military force against any country that threatened our interests. • Reminded European powers of the Monroe Doctrine – policy preventing other nations from intervening in Latin America

15. Roosevelt Corollary • 1904 – Roosevelt Corollary added to doctrine • Allowed US to “police” Latin America – meaning US leaders would intervene in Latin America’s domestic affairs when believed it was necessary to maintain stability • Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson used policy to intervene in Latin America to secure American economic interests

16. Cue Questions • What is the point of having the Panama Canal? • What were the spheres of influence? Which countries were considered spheres of influence? • Why did the US seek and Open Door Policy in China? • How did the Roosevelt Corollary affect Latin America?