1. What role did President Roosevelt play in ending the Russo-Japanese War?
President Roosevelt was looked as the "peace maker" in the ending of the Russo-Japanese War. Japan secretly met with President Roosevelt and asked him to meditate peace negotiations which is what he exactly did. He was able to persuade Japan to except half the island and forgo the cash payment when primarily they wanted Sakhalin Island as a whole. Roosevelt was able to leave both the Russians and Japanese happy, and his efforts won him the Noble- Peace Prize in 1906.
2. What events led to the building of the Panama Canal? What happened regarding Columbia? (Be specific)
Many Americans felt the need of a canal to reduce travel time for commercial and military ships by providing a shortcut between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. America before building the canal, needed to chose a route for building it. Between the two possible routes Panama (a province of Columbia) was best. But America before they could begin working on the Canal had to get permission from Columbia first.
3. What did the Roosevelt Corollary state?
It stated that the United States would now use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.
4. How did Taft use Dollar Diplomacy to enforce the Roosevelt Colollary on Nicaragua? (Be specfic)
When a 1911 rebellion in Nicaragua left the nation in near bankruptcy President William H. Taft, arranged for American bankers to loan Nicaragua enough money to pay its debts. In return the bankers were given the right to recover their money by collecting Nicaragua's customs duties. This policy was known as the Dollar Diplomacy, and this is how Taft used it to enforce the Roosevelt Colollary on Nicaragua.
5. Why did Woodrow Wilson invade Mexico?
Woodrow Wilson claimed that the United States had a moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government it viewed as oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to U.S. interests. Immediately the Mexican Revolution put his policy to the test. In 1911 Mexican peasants and workers led by Francisco Madero overthrew Diaz (their military dictator) After 2 years General Huerta took over. Wilson referred to the government that Huerta formed as "a government of butchers." In 1914 April, when one of Huerta's officers arrested a small group of America sailors, the Mexicans quickly released them and apologized. But Wilson used this incident as an excuse to intervene Mexico. At least 200 Mexicans died during the invasion.
6. What were three major foriegn policy goals achieved by the United States in the early 20th century. Be sure to provide an example or two of each.
-Expanded its access to foreign markets in order to ensure the continued growth of the domestic economy. (ex. Panama Canal)
-The U.S. built a modern navy to protect its interest abroad.
-The U.S. exercised its international power to ensure dominance in Latin America. (ex. Roosevelt Colollary)
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Imperialism's Bitter Fruit
1. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, why did fighting break out between American and Filipino forces?
a. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, fighting started to break out between the American and Filipino forces because tension between the U.S. and Filipino forces was building. The Filipino's had believed that they would be granted independence after the departure of Spanish. But the U.S. troops had orders to establish control over the islands. There also was a shooting accident between an American soldier and a Filipino, where the American soldier shot and killed the Filipino. Later after this incident fighting had spread around the area Manila. The Filipino's believed that they were fighting for their independence.
How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces?
b. This was a different kind of warfare for American forces because unlike any other conflict that the U.S. had been in, there was no confronting an organized army, U.S. soldiers had faced a quick-striking guerrilla movement. Both the U.S. and Filipinos tortured their prisoners and killed them in many gruesome different ways.
2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?
Many African-Americans were strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists because they were discriminated against there just as they were at home. They were also extremely offended by the racist attitudes that typified the military's view of the Filipinos. Officers had enlisted Filipino's as "niggers". The African Americans also were prohibited from restaurants, barber shops, and other facilities marked, "white only."
3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.
a. The numerous amounts of legal questions about the status of the Philippines before The United States could annex these islands.
b. The realization of the difficulties of occupation. People, even Theodore Roosevelt, realized they weren't prepared to accept the burdens of the empire.
4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
The positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba were that by dominating Puerto Rico they used this land as a territory. Also in Cuba, roads and telegraph lines were built, finances reorganized, schools opened, sanitation improved, and yellow fever stamped out.
5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:
a. The U.S. had the right to oversee the Cuban economy
b. The U.S. had the right to exercise veto power over Cuban policy
c. The U.S. could intervene whenever necessary "for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty."
d. The United States was also allowed to build a naval base on the southeastern tip of the island at Guantanamo Bay.
Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning.
I don't really think that the United States was justified in making these demands. The United States took advantage of Cuba, and definitely did not need all of these benefits. I think that they got a little cocky and weren't focusing on the necessities of making their economy, and country overall better. The United States should have focused more on foreign trade, and also the people of these places that they swore they would care for.
6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? Why or why not?
I do believed that the United States was imperialist. They had taken control of Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Philippines, and also taking over Hawaii. Though the push for imperialism slowly died out, America did attempt at imperialism, and still got control of these countries that benefited them and made their economy stronger.
a. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, fighting started to break out between the American and Filipino forces because tension between the U.S. and Filipino forces was building. The Filipino's had believed that they would be granted independence after the departure of Spanish. But the U.S. troops had orders to establish control over the islands. There also was a shooting accident between an American soldier and a Filipino, where the American soldier shot and killed the Filipino. Later after this incident fighting had spread around the area Manila. The Filipino's believed that they were fighting for their independence.
How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces?
b. This was a different kind of warfare for American forces because unlike any other conflict that the U.S. had been in, there was no confronting an organized army, U.S. soldiers had faced a quick-striking guerrilla movement. Both the U.S. and Filipinos tortured their prisoners and killed them in many gruesome different ways.
2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?
Many African-Americans were strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists because they were discriminated against there just as they were at home. They were also extremely offended by the racist attitudes that typified the military's view of the Filipinos. Officers had enlisted Filipino's as "niggers". The African Americans also were prohibited from restaurants, barber shops, and other facilities marked, "white only."
3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.
a. The numerous amounts of legal questions about the status of the Philippines before The United States could annex these islands.
b. The realization of the difficulties of occupation. People, even Theodore Roosevelt, realized they weren't prepared to accept the burdens of the empire.
4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
The positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba were that by dominating Puerto Rico they used this land as a territory. Also in Cuba, roads and telegraph lines were built, finances reorganized, schools opened, sanitation improved, and yellow fever stamped out.
5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:
a. The U.S. had the right to oversee the Cuban economy
b. The U.S. had the right to exercise veto power over Cuban policy
c. The U.S. could intervene whenever necessary "for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty."
d. The United States was also allowed to build a naval base on the southeastern tip of the island at Guantanamo Bay.
Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning.
I don't really think that the United States was justified in making these demands. The United States took advantage of Cuba, and definitely did not need all of these benefits. I think that they got a little cocky and weren't focusing on the necessities of making their economy, and country overall better. The United States should have focused more on foreign trade, and also the people of these places that they swore they would care for.
6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? Why or why not?
I do believed that the United States was imperialist. They had taken control of Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Philippines, and also taking over Hawaii. Though the push for imperialism slowly died out, America did attempt at imperialism, and still got control of these countries that benefited them and made their economy stronger.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Spanish-American War
1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.
In the late 1800's the United States, Americans invested $50 million dollars in Cuba, most of it invested in the islands sugar industry. Also the Cuban American trade had reached about 100$ million.
2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
Spanish reconcentration camps held thousands of Cubans in towns being policed by Spanish troops. These reconcentration camps lacked food, sanitation, and housing. Over 300,000 Cubans died from starvation and the spreading of disease.
3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. Yellow journalism causing American citizens to pity the Cubans.
b. The de Lôme Letter greatly insulted president McKinely
c. The U.S.S Marine explosion gave the U.S. an excuse to start a war against Spain
4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
I think the explosion of the U.S.S Marine was the most important because that was the overall reason, or excuse, for the Americans to call a war against Spain, blaming Spaniards for the explosion.
5. What did the Teller Amendment say?
The teller amendment said that the United States had no interest in asserting, sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control, over Cuba, and promised to leave the government and control of the island to its people, once peace was restored.
6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
A portion of the Spanish-American war was fought in the Philippines because the United States saw the Philippines as a useful benefit to the United Sates, providing ports in the Pacific ocean that they wanted.
7. Dewey’s victory in the Philippines sparked an outpouring of volunteers in the United States.
Dewey's triumph caused great pride in the American citizens, and many volunteered to fight in Cuba, including the Rough Riders.
8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders wanted to fight in Cuba because Dewey's victory had created pride in the American citizens causing them to volunteer themselves to fight.
9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
Many African Americans were eager to serve in the Spanish- American War because they aw this as an opportunity to elevate the status of blacks in the United States. They hoped that their participation in the war would win the African- American community some new respect.
b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
The African Americans encountered many forms of discrimination in the Spanish- American war. For example, they were denied promotion into the officer corps. Also black volunteers were not given a chance to fight in Cuba, and were discriminated against at the U.S. bases.
10. How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines? Give two examples of events where racism affected U.S. policy after the war.
a.The Americans didn't once consider that the African Americans or Asians who lived in Cuba, could be a force for progress. Very few Americans believed that the inhabitants of these islands were capable of developing stable democracies.
b. The United States ignored the Cuban rebels. Many Americans believed that the rebels, including blacks, needed guidance in managing all their affairs. As a result of this belief, American businesses went back to Cuba taking over their land, railroads, and dominating basically their entire economy.
In the late 1800's the United States, Americans invested $50 million dollars in Cuba, most of it invested in the islands sugar industry. Also the Cuban American trade had reached about 100$ million.
2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
Spanish reconcentration camps held thousands of Cubans in towns being policed by Spanish troops. These reconcentration camps lacked food, sanitation, and housing. Over 300,000 Cubans died from starvation and the spreading of disease.
3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. Yellow journalism causing American citizens to pity the Cubans.
b. The de Lôme Letter greatly insulted president McKinely
c. The U.S.S Marine explosion gave the U.S. an excuse to start a war against Spain
4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
I think the explosion of the U.S.S Marine was the most important because that was the overall reason, or excuse, for the Americans to call a war against Spain, blaming Spaniards for the explosion.
5. What did the Teller Amendment say?
The teller amendment said that the United States had no interest in asserting, sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control, over Cuba, and promised to leave the government and control of the island to its people, once peace was restored.
6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
A portion of the Spanish-American war was fought in the Philippines because the United States saw the Philippines as a useful benefit to the United Sates, providing ports in the Pacific ocean that they wanted.
7. Dewey’s victory in the Philippines sparked an outpouring of volunteers in the United States.
Dewey's triumph caused great pride in the American citizens, and many volunteered to fight in Cuba, including the Rough Riders.
8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders wanted to fight in Cuba because Dewey's victory had created pride in the American citizens causing them to volunteer themselves to fight.
9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
Many African Americans were eager to serve in the Spanish- American War because they aw this as an opportunity to elevate the status of blacks in the United States. They hoped that their participation in the war would win the African- American community some new respect.
b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
The African Americans encountered many forms of discrimination in the Spanish- American war. For example, they were denied promotion into the officer corps. Also black volunteers were not given a chance to fight in Cuba, and were discriminated against at the U.S. bases.
10. How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines? Give two examples of events where racism affected U.S. policy after the war.
a.The Americans didn't once consider that the African Americans or Asians who lived in Cuba, could be a force for progress. Very few Americans believed that the inhabitants of these islands were capable of developing stable democracies.
b. The United States ignored the Cuban rebels. Many Americans believed that the rebels, including blacks, needed guidance in managing all their affairs. As a result of this belief, American businesses went back to Cuba taking over their land, railroads, and dominating basically their entire economy.
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