Unit 3: Emergence as a

World Power
1898-1920
American Imperialism
 Day 1

The Spanish American War, 1898

● Spanish Colony of Cuba declares independence from mother country in 1895
○ Spain’s army represses the uprising by using cruel and violent methods to isolate rebels
● “Yellow Journalism” was sensationalized news coverage of the Cuban revolt
○ Painted an inaccurate picture, increased newspaper sales, and stokes fear of financial losses
○ Pulitzer and Hearst newspapers in USA compete, which leads to “fake news” being published
○ Increases humanitarian concerns…Spain was starving, imprisoning, and executing Cubans
● USS Maine arrives in Cuba during 1898 to protect Americans and businesses
○ USS Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor by an explosion resulting in 258 Americans dead
○ Increased the desire for war with Spain amongst the US population
● Spanish American War Video
● Remember the USS Maine Reading
 Day 1

The Spanish American War, 1898

● Lasted only 6 months and was fought within the Pacific and the Caribbean
○ US Navy was vastly superior at this point and Spain’s empire was in major decline
● T. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of Navy, formed the “Rough Riders”
○ Who Were the "Rough Riders"?
● US military provided aid to rebel forces and also attacked Spanish military
forces stationed in Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and The Philippines
○ After winning the brief war, the US controlled all of these former Spanish colonies
○ US was unsure about what to do with the new colonies now in their possession
● Marked the beginning of the US becoming known as a “World Power”
○ Outcome proved that the US could compete with the historic European colonial powers
● 1903 Platt Amendment permits US to intervene in Cuba whenever it desired
○ America continued to not allow Cuba to have true sovereignty, leads to tensions in the country
● Brief Summary of the Spanish American War
 Day 1

Partner Question
1. What role did “Yellow Journalism” play in the outbreak of the Spanish-American War?
They pushed the narrative that Spain attacked the USS Maine
2. Why did America ascend to “World Power” status after defeating Spain in this brief war?
They showed they could compete against other world powers and they started gaining
territories outside of the US
3. What was the name of the US Navy vessel that exploded in Havana Harbor?
USS Maine
4. List two colonies the US acquired after this war is over
Cuba and caribbean
 American Presence in Asia
● After the Spanish-American war, trade opportunities in Asia increase vastly
● China had a long history of trading with foreign nations, especially Europe
○ US Sec. of State- John Hay passes the “Open Door” Policy (1899), which forces China to give
equal trading rights to ALL countries operating there. *Ensures American access to market*
○ Primary Source Document
○ The “Boxer” Rebellion emerged as an attempt to rid China of foreign influence in the nation
■ Foreign armies (8 in total, mostly european) crush the rebellion for economic reasons
● Japan- closed to foreign trade 1603-1858 until when Matthew Perry landed
○ Forced Japanese to open up economically, which makes them Asia’s first industrialized nation
■ Japanese economy and military became more advanced than most others in the region
○ Began to form their own empire in Asia, defeating China in 1894 and Russia in 1905
● Trade with these two countries was very important for the USA, as it is today
● Map of US Territories
● Reaching to Asia Reading

Day 2
 American Presence in the Pacific
● The Philippines- US ruled the island chain after the S&A War, until the
Japanese Army invasion and withdrawal of US military forces in 1942
○ The Philippines were formally granted independence in 1946 after WWII
● The Hawaiian Islands- US business owners, led by Sanford Dole overthrow
the indigenous royal family in 1893, statehood granted to Hawaii in 1959
○ Hawaiian Annexation
● Guam Island- Taken from spain in 1898 and is still a US Territory today
● Midway Atoll- Became an American possession in 1867, still a territory today
● American Samoa - Became a US possession in 1899, still a territory today
● US built a “land bridge” across the Pacific to reach business markets in Asia
○ Territories permitted US military and businesses to refuel and resupply along the route

Day 2
Day 2

Partner Questions with a Political Cartoon

1) What policy is this political cartoon
referring to?
2) Why was China so desirable for
businesses?
3) Why do you think that the artist chose to
leave the Chinese out of the image?
4) Summarize the quote at the bottom of the
image in your own words
Day 3

Roosevelt “Big Stick Diplomacy”

● The “Monroe Doctrine” of 1823 prohibited
European powers from founding new
colonies in the Western Hemisphere
(intended to prevent future trade wars)
● T. Roosevelt passes the “Roosevelt
Corollary” in 1903 to justify stationing US
troops and navy vessels throughout
Central America and the Caribbean
○ Policy “Big Stick Policy,” since Roosevelt
claimed he wanted to “walk softly but carry
a big stick.”
○ Interventions by the US were resented by
the Latin American countries
● The Caribbean became known as the
“American Lake” due these policies
● Teddy's Push for Expansion Video
Day 3

American Presence in the Caribbean

● Needed a canal through Central America to increase access between
between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean for military and economic purposes
● This region provided US with cheap agricultural goods, as well as additional
markets for US exports and business investments
● US wanted to keep foreign powers out of the Caribbean, in order to reduce
the potential threat to security from foreign rivals
Day 3

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, Alfred Thayer Mahan

“Having no foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the war ships of the USA in
war will be like land birds, unable to fly far away from their own shores. To provide resting
places for them, where they can obtain coal and repair, would be one of the first duties of
a government hoping to develop the nation’s sea power…The question is to build a navy
that shall be able to keep clear the chief approaches to its territory…It may safely be said
that it is essential to the welfare of a country that the conditions of trade and commerce
should remain unaffected by an external war. To do this, the enemy must be kept out of
our ports and far from our coasts.”

1. According to Mahan, why was it important for the US to develop a powerful navy?
2. How would gaining colonies (Imperialism) help the nation develop a powerful navy?
Day 3
Partner Questions
● Do you think Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Policy” made us more enemies or allies?

allies

● What military branch was used to enforce this policy?

Navy

● Explain what a canal is in your own words?

A waterway through land

● Why did US businesses want to invest money in Latin America? There are many reasons

Large amounts of people

Day 4

Constructing the Panama Canal 1904-1914

● Panama was the narrowest part of C.A.
● Originally part of Columbia, but rebels
were granted protection by the US military
in exchange for control of the Canal Zone
● Canal greatly reduced the amount of time
it took to travel from the Pacific to Atlantic
■ CHALLENGES
● France failed at a previous canal attempt
● 51 miles through rugged jungle terrain, 10
years to construct, and cost of $400million
● Panama Canal Image Gallery
● Demolition, Disease, and Death Video
Day 4

Partner Questions

1) Which country did Panama get independence from (with assistance of the
US) before construction on the canal began? Columbia
2) What were three challenges that engineers and workers faced in Panama?
Terrain, Climate, Bugs, Animals, Disease
3) How many people died while building the Panama Canal? 22k
4) How long did it take for the US to complete construction of the Panama
Canal? 10
5) What impact did the Panama Canal have on the economy? Boosted panamas
economy vastly and it is now the wealthiest ca country
Day 5

President Taft and Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft President Wilson

● Loans to Latin American countries by US ● Wilson wanted to avoid “dollar diplomacy” of Taft
○ US developing a reputation for being a bully
became known as “Dollar Diplomacy” ● Stationed US troops in Haiti, Nicaragua, and the
○ Loan recipients were threatened with US Dominican Republic to protect business and military
military if payments on loans were missed interests
○ US military troops were stationed in ● Refused to recognize the new Mexican government in
throughout L.A. to enforce policy 1920
○ US military in Mexico attempt to capture the
■ Marines were stationed in rebel leader Pancho Villa for killing US citizens
Nicaragua 1912-1933 despite by border
NOT being at war in Nicaragua ■ Discrimination against Latinos
● Investment in the Caribbean and L.A. increased
● Porvenir Massacre Interview
helped achieve US foreign policy goals and Research
○ Keep out rivals and earn money from ● TSHA Porvenir Massacre
colonies to increase military power Summary Reading
■ Pancho Villa Timeline
○ US was unsuccessful in capturing Pancho
Villa, he was executed in 1923 by political
rivals
● US troops were withdrawn from Mexico in 1917 to
focus on WWI in Europe
Day 5

American Imperialism: Arguments For and Against Expansion

Imperialism=relating to an empire
Supporting Arguments Opposition Arguments

● Colonies could provide raw materials and ● Feeling of guilt due to enforcing colonial
additional markets for American exports rule, remember how we felt under England
● Naval bases located across globe to ● Imperialism violated the core values that
protect trade routes and business interests US was established upon, ironic.
● Powerful European countries were ● Very expensive and we need to focus on
colonizing, so should we! the challenges that we faced domestically
● Attitudes of racial superiority that ● Negative perception of an empire nation
contributed to a desire to rule others
Day 5

Partner Questions
1) Describe “Dollar Diplomacy” in your own
words
2) What caused the hunt for Pancho Villa to
end?
3) In 1914 what region of the world were US
businesses investing in?
4) Which three economic sectors were
favored by US businesses to invest in?
5) If you were alive in 1915 would you have
been in favor or opposed to American
Imperialism? Support your position with
information from slide 16 using two
sentences
WORLD WAR I 1914-1918
Day 6

Causes of WWI
1. Militarism- One country building defenses leads to a domino effect and severe paranoia
of other countries arming themselves. Leads to an “arms race.”
2. Alliance System- in 1890’s Europe was divided into two alliances:
a. The “Central Powers”- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Bulgaria
b. The “Allied Powers”- Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, and later the USA
3. Imperialism- Competing economic interests and territorial claims among rivals
4. Nationalism, the thought that one country is superior to another, was very popular and
caused rivalries between European countries and colonies
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Day 6

The Spark that Ignites the First World War

● June 1914 Austrian Archduke (Future
Emperor) Franz Ferdinand was
assassinated in Bosnia, by Serbian rebels
○ Rebels throughout the Austrian empire
wanted independence from imperial rule
○ Austria invades Serbia to avenge the
assassination, which starts WWI
■ First domino to fall!
● Alliance system caused a chain reaction of
invasions and declarations of war
● Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Day 6

Partner Questions
1. List two Central Powers Germany, Bulgaria
2. List two Allied Powers Japan, U.S.
3. Why was Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Bosnia during 1914?
Some Bosnian people wanted to be part of Serbia
4. Using two sentences explain how the alliance system caused countries that
would not be impacted by the assassination of Ferdinand to get involved in
the war.
Other nearby countries would be forced in due to territory/proximity ( having to
take sides )
Day 7

Innovations in Warfare
● Warfare becomes industrialized and goods are mass produced in factories
○ Warfare was revolutionized due to progress made as a result of the Industrial Revolution
● New technology emerges during WWI that changed military tactics darastically
○ Machine guns, poison gas, submarines, tanks, airplanes, telegraphs, and a “total war” mindset
● Innovations benefitted defense more than offense, resulting in “trench warfare”
● Conditions in WWI Trenches
○ Hundreds of miles of deep trenches were dug across Europe for protection during WWI
○ Opposing sides were separated by “no man’s land” that was littered with mines and obstacles
■ Attempting to cross this area was essentially suicide
○ Soldiers above the trench were a targets for enemy snipers and machine gunners
○ Trenches were frequently bombed by artillery and airplanes for hours at a time
○ Men in trenches experienced terrible conditions, sometimes for years, often resulting in PTSD
● WWI Image Gallery
Day 7

Partner Questions
1. How did Industrial Revolution technology
change warfare? List two ways : planes
trench warfare, mustard gas, vehicles,
uboats
2. List two new inventions that are utilized
during WWI that were not used in previous
wars : planes and submarines
3. Describe conditions in trenches using
three adjectives

Cold

Rough

Disparaging
Day 7

Primary Source Analysis

“The gaseous vapor which the Germans used against the French divisions near Ypres last
Thursday, contrary to the rules of The Hague Convention, introduces a new element into
warfare. The attack of last Thursday evening was preceded by the rising of a cloud of vapor,
greenish gray and iridescent. That vapor settled to the ground like a swamp mist and drifted
toward the French trenches on a brisk wind. Its effect on the French was a violent nausea and
faintness, followed by an utter collapse. It is believed that the Germans, who charged in behind
the vapor, met no resistance at all, the French at their front being virtually paralyzed.”
– New York Tribune, April 27, 1915: Boulogne, April 25

1. What effects did poison gas have on troops that inhaled it?
2. Did laws exist prior to WWI that outlawed the use of chemical weapons?
3. In your opinion, why would an American newspaper cover this event, despite
not being in the war?
Day 8

America Intervenes
● US policy of neutrality and traded with both the sides before direct involvement
○ President Wilson campaigned on not participating in the conflict before his 1916 reelection
○ Propaganda and media coverage of war crimes increased fear of Germany in US society
● German policy of “unrestricted submarine warfare” leads to the sinking the British
ship Lusitania in 1915 off the coast of Ireland, leading to the death of 128 Americans
○ Citizens pressured the federal government to declare war, but President Wilson resisted the demands
○ Video Summary of the Lusitania Incident
● 3/1/1917 US Media published a story about the Zimmerman Telegram
○ Primary Source and Significance
○ Mexico would receive their territory that was lost in the Mex.- US War if they helped Germany in WWI
○ Caused mass paranoia and threatened the arrival of war on the North American continent
● 4/4/1917 US Congress declared war and began military interventions in Europe
○ Demands from society regarding Lusitania and Zimmerman Telegram resulted in declaration of war
● American Involvement Timeline
Day 8

Partner Questions
1) What historical event is the political cartoon to
the right referring to? Zimmerman telegram
2) What did Germany promise Mexico for
invading the US? land
3) Why was a Mexican invasion of the US such
a threat, even though their military was much
weaker than ours? Home front war
4) Why were US citizens upset about the
Lusitania sinking? There are multiple reasons.
Americans killed,
5) What role did propaganda play in getting the
US to join the war effort? Increased disire for
war
Day 9

America at War in Europe

● President Wilson sends American Expeditionary Force (AEF) to Europe
○ Before the war US Army had 127,000 men, when the war was over it was over 1 million
● General John J. Pershing was the lead general of AEF troops in Europe
● AEF units were still segregated and minority troops were not allowed to serve
in AEF combat units, minorities typically had jobs as cooks, laborers, etc.
○ There were two African-American combat units that fought under French command
○ African American Troops in WWI
● American troops and industry were essential to defeating the Central Powers
○ US firepower, troop numbers, and resources tipped the scales in favor of the Allied Powers
○ Germany was overwhelmed and by October 1918 Germany realized the war effort was lost
Day 9

Partner Questions
1) What is the estimated total number of
casualties in WWI? 9,459,799
2) What is the official number of Americans
that died during WWI? 126,000
3) What is one reason that US casualties
were not as high as European or Asian
nations? They didnt enter the war until
much later
4) What country suffered the most official
casualties? German
5) What country suffered the most estimated
casualties? russia
6) Is there anything surprising or shocking to
you? How few japanese deaths there are
Day 10

America on the Homefront

• Federal government powers increased during WWI
• Legally acquired direct control over all US railroads, even privately owned
• Selective Service Act passed in 1917, required men to register for the draft.
• 2.8M American men were drafted in WWI, involuntary service was very controversial
• Women and minorities filled job vacancies left by soldiers that were fighting in Europe
• Opened new economic and social opportunities for both groups of workers
• WWI cost approx. $30B, resulting in higher taxation rates and the selling war bonds
• Espionage Act of 1917-made it illegal to criticize the war effort in private or public conversation
• Challenged by Schenck v. USA (1919) due to concerns over limiting 1st Amendment rights
• Free speech is not protected when it produces a, “clear and present danger”
• Remembering the Italian Hall Tragedy
• US exports to Europe increased during WWI, resulting in industrial and economic growth
• Food, military goods, medical supplies, tools, fuel, etc. were all exported
• European factories were destroyed by the fighting, so the US produced most manufactured goods
Day 10

African American Migration 1915-1970

1) Why did African Americans leave the
South in favor of the North during WWI?

Fighting rights and more rights, jobs

2) What caused the Great Migration?

The drafting of white males for the war and

the desire for better lives

3) When did the Great Migration occur?

Both world wars

4) List two effects of the migration pictured to

the right
Day 10

Partner Questions
1) What law limited free speech during WWI?
2) Who performed most of the manufacturing jobs that were unfilled, due to men
being deployed during WWI?
3) Is it fair or unfair that only men have to register for the Selective Service today?
Explain your answer in two to three sentences
4) How do you feel about the Department of Education withholding financial aid for
college from males that do not register for Selective Service?
Day 11

The War to End All Wars: WWI Concludes

● Ceasefire started on 11/11/1918 at 11am Terms of Treaty of Versailles
○ AKA Veteran’s Day or Armistice Day
● US reverts back to isolationism to avoid wars ● Treaty of Versailles (1919) officially ended WWI
○ America’s in a position of “world power” ● Germany lost conquered territory to France and
○ Industry, military, and influence grows
Poland, as well as their colonies abroad
● League of Nations, an alliance organization
intended to prevent future wars, is established ● Germany lost its navy and had limits placed on
● Economy of Germany was devastated after WWI the size of their army
○ Hyperinflation in Germany ● Germany accepted responsibility and paid
○ Currency used as toys, wallpaper, reparations of $269B (in 2022 USD) for damages
insulation, recycling & burned for warmth
○ Last payment 2010, 92 years to pay debt
● WWI Timeline Start to Finish
○ Large source of resentment for Germany
● Nine new sovereign nations created in Europe
● Austria-Hungary divided into two different nations
● Turkey loses their colonial territories
● Treaty of Versailles
Day 11

Partner Questions
1) When did the fighting stop in WWI? 1918
2) What treaty officially ended the war
3) Treaty of Versailles
4) What year was this treaty signed? 1919
5) Describe conditions in Germany after WWI using at least two sentences

Poor economy and living confitions

6) List two reasons many Germans were angry with the terms and conditions of
the peace treaty? Lost land and reparations
Day 11

Primary Source Quote

“All over the world on November 11, 1918, people were celebrating, dancing in the streets, drinking
champagne, hailing the Armistice that meant the end of the war. But at the front there was no
celebration. Many soldiers believed the Armistice only a temporary measure and that the war
would soon go on. As night came, the quietness, unearthly in its penetration, began to eat into
their souls. The men sat around log fires, the first they had ever had at the front. They were
trying to reassure themselves that there were no enemy batteries spying on them from the next
hill and no German bombing planes approaching to blast them out of existence. They talked in
low tones. They were nervous.”
– Colonel Thomas Gowenlock, 1st Division, US Army.

1. What occurred on 11/11/1918 that caused people to celebrate?

2. How did the civilian population celebrate the end of WWI?
3. Why do you think that the “quietness” caused soldiers to be anxious?
Day 12

European Geography Before and After the Treaty of Versailles

● List three new countries that were

declared after the Treaty of Versailles
(1919) was signed?
● What the might the countries in light purple
represent?
● What two countries appear to have lost the
most territory?
Day 12

Spanish Flu Pandemic 1918-1920

● “Spanish Flu” epidemic began at the end
of WWI and lasted about 2 years
● Pandemic was more deadly than WWI
○ Est. of 100M dead or 1-5% of world pop.
○ Second most deadly pandemic ever!
● Spanish Flu Video
● CDC Pandemic History and Images
Day 12

Partner Questions
1. List two similarities and two differences between the Spanish Flu and Covid-19 Pandemics