07 - Imperialism 1898-1917 overlaps the economic boom and beginning of Social Darwinism and its acceptance in 1871 Germany had become a unified nation

July 10, 2007 Imperialism • 1898-1917 • overlaps the economic boom and beginning of Social Darwinism and its acceptance • in 1871 Germany had become a unified nation and they compete with England and France for industrialization and economy • Russia expands, and tries to acquire land in China • Russia is always going to look for a warm water seaport • Entered war with Ottomans and lost • Spain has few colonies left (they have all gained their independence) • Admiral Mahan: advocated that the US build up their navy, because every world power has historically had a large navy, US heeds his advice • Progressive movement wanted to deal with corruption in the local, state, and national governments and et rid of immorality • Foundation: Monroe doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary (handout) • Leaders: protestant missionaries (to spread their religion), businessmen (make more money by opening up market in other country), and people who wanted to increase US influence • Wanted to create an empire for US to prove that they are on the ame playing field as Russia and Europe • Jingoist- war monger (first solution to solving problems is to going to war) • McKinley does not initially want to go to war • Americans started to see Cubans as freedom fighters and the Spanish as bad • Muckrakers wanted to bring truth to light • Yellow journalists- William Randolph Hurst (owns the new york world) and Joseph Pulitzer (owns the new york journal) • Yellow journalists tweak the news so that it would get a reaction out of readers (example downplaying victories or losses, tweaking numbers, focus on one side • McKinley pressures Spain to give Cuba their independence • Two things led the US the war with Spain • Feburary 1898: telegraph was intercepted • USS Maine exploded within a week of the letter coming out • McKinley does not want to go to war with Spin • He sends them a letter with three conditions: 1. repay money for Maine 2. free concentration camps in Cuba 3. stop fighting in Cuba 4. pay Cubans penance (not abided by) - Teller amendment: stated tht we were not going to war to acquire land in