American Imperialism: Crash Course US History #28

Summary

In this episode of CrashCourse U.S. History, John Green explores the topic of American imperialism, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He discusses the economic motivations behind the U.S. expansion, including the need for new markets for American products and the influence of Captain Mahan's maritime power theories. Green also covers the Spanish-American-Cuban-Filipino War, which resulted in the acquisition of territories like the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The video touches on the anti-imperialist sentiment, the atrocities committed during the Philippine War, and the economic benefits that imperialism brought to the U.S., ultimately leading to its rise as a global economic power.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of American imperialism, driven by economic expansion and the desire to sell American products globally.
• 📈 The U.S. sought new territories to alleviate economic pressures, including the aftermath of a depression in 1893 that saw significant business failures and unemployment.
• 🚢 Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's theories on sea power influenced American imperialism, advocating for the control of seas and international commerce to achieve global power status.
• 🏭 The push for a canal through Central America, eventually built in Panama, was tied to the need for a functioning two-ocean navy and the establishment of coal depots for steamships.
• 🇺🇸 Nationalism played a role in American imperialism, with the 1890s seeing a rise in national pride and the introduction of practices like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and celebrating Flag Day.
• 🏛️ The Spanish-American-Cuban-Filipino War was a turning point in American imperialism, leading to the acquisition of territories like the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
• 🚫 The Teller Amendment and the Platt Amendment reflected the U.S. policy of not annexing Cuba, despite its strategic importance, and maintaining a degree of control over the island's affairs.
• 🤝 American imperialism was not universally supported, with anti-imperialists arguing that it was incompatible with democratic principles and that the U.S. should focus on domestic issues.
• 💰 Economic necessity was a primary driver of American imperialism, with the aim of securing new markets for American goods, particularly in Asia.
• 🌱 Some modernization efforts were made in territories like the Philippines, including investments in infrastructure, education, and public health, although these often served the interests of the wealthy.
• 📜 The U.S. Constitution had no provision for colonies, leading to legal and political complexities in how new territories were incorporated and governed, with varying statuses for places like Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Hawaii.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this CrashCourse U.S. History episode?

The main topic of discussion in this episode is American Imperialism, particularly its expansion and colonization efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

How does the script suggest the United States has historically viewed itself in relation to the world?

The script suggests that the United States has historically viewed itself as part of a larger world, with ambitions to expand and influence regions beyond its continental boundaries, similar to other empires like the Russian Empire.

What economic factors contributed to the rise of American imperialism in the 1890s?

Economic factors contributing to the rise of American imperialism included the need for new markets to sell American products, a severe economic depression in 1893, and the desire to control international commerce and sea power.

What was the significance of Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's publication 'The Influence of Seapower upon History'?

Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's publication argued that to be a great power like Great Britain, the U.S. needed to control the seas and dominate international commerce, which influenced the push to become a maritime power and contributed to American imperialism.

Why was the construction of a canal in Central America significant for the United States?

The construction of a canal in Central America, specifically in Panama, was significant for the United States because it would allow for a more efficient two-ocean navy and provide coal depots for steamships, which were essential for maintaining naval power.

How did the United States acquire Hawaii and what was its strategic importance?

The United States acquired Hawaii through annexation in 1898. Its strategic importance lay in its location for trade routes, the establishment of a naval base at Pearl Harbor, and its agricultural products like sugar which were exempted from tariffs.

What was the Spanish-American-Cuban-Fillipino War and what were its main causes?

The Spanish-American-Cuban-Fillipino War was a conflict that began due to native Cubans fighting for independence from Spain. The United States entered the war, ostensibly to support Cuban independence, but with underlying economic and territorial ambitions.

Why did the United States not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American War?

The United States did not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American War due to the Teller Amendment, which forswore any U.S. annexation of Cuba, possibly to avoid competition from Cuban sugar with the U.S. sugar industry.

What were the consequences of the Spanish-American War for the United States in terms of territorial gains?

As a result of the Spanish-American War, the United States gained territories including the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and also annexed Hawaii to protect its naval interests in the region.

How did the Philippine War differ from the initial welcome of American forces in the Philippines?

Initially, American forces were welcomed in the Philippines as liberators from Spanish rule. However, the Philippine War erupted when it became clear that the U.S. intended to exercise control and not grant independence, leading to a violent conflict that lasted from 1899-1903.

What were the arguments made by anti-imperialists against American imperialism?

Anti-imperialists objected to American imperialism on various grounds, including racial concerns about increased diversity, political domination being incompatible with democracy, and the belief that America should focus on its domestic problems rather than overseas expansion.

How did the economic motivations behind American imperialism influence its actions and policies?

The economic motivations behind American imperialism, such as the need for new markets for American goods and the desire to dominate international commerce, drove its actions and policies, including territorial acquisitions and the establishment of naval bases.