The document discusses whether the US should have been an imperial nation, pointing to several instances where it took on imperial-like behaviors between the late 19th to early 20th century: 1) The US annexed Hawaii in 1898 and sought to establish naval bases like at Pearl Harbor for strategic control of the Pacific. 2) Through its Open Door Policy, the US attempted to maintain influence in China and prevent European powers from dividing it into exclusive spheres of control. 3) As a result of the Spanish-American War, the US gained control of former Spanish colonies like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, though there was resistance to American rule in some places like the Philippines.

1. Should the US have been an imperial nation?

3. CHINA PHILIPPINES HAWAII CUBA ROOSEVELT COROLLARY PANAMA DOLLAR DIPLOMACY MEXICO

4. HAWAII US wanted to secure a strong foothold in the Pacific Christian missionaries, then sugar plantations naval base in Pearl Harbor White planters overthrew Queen Liliuokalani US finally annexed Hawaii in 1898

12. CHINA AND THE OPEN DOOR European countries divided weak China into spheres of influence U.S. felt it was being squeezed out of China Open Door Policy - all nations could trade freely in other nation’s spheres of influence Chinese Boxers rebelled against foreigners – violent, put down by multinational forces Second Open Door Policy -China’s independence and borders must be respected

18. THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR Cuba was under Spanish rule Americans were upset over Cuban revolt American press reported biased accounts of the conflict U.S.S. Maine explodes in Havana Harbor US fights war in the Philippines and in Cuba Cuba became an American protectorate America gives Cuba independence (with some good stuff for the US)

20. http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/epo/spanexhib/IMAGE-drawing_of_star_in_east.html

21. http://www.americanpresident.org/kotrain/courses/WM/gal_9.htm

22. THE PHILIPPINES US gained possession of the Philippines as a result of the Spanish American War Many people opposed American control – Filipino and American Emilio Aguinaldo led a revolt against American forces Bloody revolt eventually stopped by American troops – very costly US set up Philippines for eventual self rule

26. PANAMA Panama was a Colombian province US bought French canal lease for $40 million Colombia rejected purchase Panama revolted against Colombia (with support and intervention from US US recognizes Panamanian independence, signs a new treaty with Panama for 10 mile strip of land Panama Canal is built

34. ROOSEVELT COROLLARY Roosevelt had a “big stick” policy worried that instability in Caribbean would lead to European intervention US would be a policeman in Latin America TR gets US involved in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba (again)

35. http://www.britannica.com/elections/micro/509/96.html

38. DOLLAR DIPLOMACY replace military interests with financial or business interests intervene in other countries if American business interests were threatened help to bring stability to the region

40. RELATIONS WITH MEXICO US should base their foreign policy on moral principles Civil War in Mexico Wilson hoped that a revolutionary government under Huerta would fall Wilson sent in troops to take over Veracruz Pancho Villa led an uprising, came into US and killed 19 Americans US troops tried to capture Villa for a year, without any luck

47. Should the US have been an imperial nation? Write a few paragraphs and tell me!