Expansion and Conflict: American Imperialism in Crash Course US History

💡 Imperialism was a significant part of American history in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

💡 The United States has always had imperialistic tendencies, evident in westward expansion and the conquest of native territories.

💡 European and American empires in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had unique colonial characteristics.

🌍 American imperialism was motivated by economic reasons, as the US needed new markets for its products.

💼 The 1890s was a decade of crisis in America, with immigration, crowded cities, and an economic depression, which led to the pursuit of imperialism as a solution.

⚓️ The push for maritime power and the need for a canal in Panama were key factors in America's pursuit of imperialism.

🌍 American imperialism was driven by the need for coal depots and the desire for national pride.

⚓️ Pre-Civil War expansion attempts included annexing Canada and filibustering in Central America.

🏝️ Hawaii played a significant role in America's imperial business before 1898 due to its resources.

🌺 Hawaii was annexed by America in 1898 and became a state in 1959.

⚔️ The Spanish-American-Cuban-Fillipino War was sparked by the Cubans' fight for independence against Spain.

💥 President William McKinley demanded Spain to leave Cuba or face war.

📜 The President did not ask for a declaration of war, but rather let Congress take the lead.

🕊️ The official reason for the war was to achieve peace of mind and end economic uncertainty.

💥 The sinking of the USS Maine was not the cause of the war, but it led to anti-Spanish sentiment.

🔑 American imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries resulted in the acquisition of new territories, including the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

🌍 These territories provided the US with strategic access to markets in Latin America, China, and the Pacific region.

⚔️ The Philippine War, a result of American presence and control, lasted four years and resulted in significant casualties and atrocities.

🌍 American imperialism looked similar to other imperialistic practices with racially motivated atrocities and subordination of local people's interests.

🗽 The US Constitution did not have provisions for colonies, but attempted to deal with the issue through the Foraker Act, declaring Puerto Rico as an insular territory.

🤝 Anti-imperialists opposed empire's political domination and argued that it was incompatible with democracy, with some Progressives opposing imperialism for domestic focus.

Imperialism was driven by economic necessity, particularly the quest for markets for American goods.

Indiana Senator Albert Beveridge argued that imperialism would bring a new day of freedom.

Imperialism was primarily focused on trade with Asia, specifically China.