1. Severe depression started in 1893 strengthen an idea of oversea trading
    1. Oversea market for American goods might relieve problem of underconsumption and prevent economic crises that in 1890s brought class war
      1. Natural development from drives of capitalism and nationalism
        1. I think this can divide people and their beliefs
  2. Expansion overseas
    1. Monroe doctrine of 1823
      1. Us considered Latin America its sphere of influence
        1. American armed forces made forays overseas
          1. Argentina, Nicaragua, Japan, Bonin Islands, Uruguay, China, Hawaoo, Angola
          2. I never learned this before, so it is kind of surprising to me
    2. Teller amendment
      1. US not to annex Cuba
        1. Initiated and supported by people who were interested in Cuban independence and opposed American imperialism
          1. US should not get involved with another country's obstacle over human rights
    3. Filipinos revolted against American rule
      1. Big fight, lost, and resulted in many deaths
        1. It is not our business to go into all these countries
  3. William McKinley
    1. "We want a foreign market for our surplus products."
      1. American factories producing more than it needs
    2. Presents ultimatum to Spain
      1. demands an armistice
        1. Did not ask for Cuban independence
          1. American forces move into Cuba
          2. Rebels welcome them because they think Teller amendment guarantees freedom
          3. American labor unions feel sympathy for Cuban rebels
    3. Greedy and imperialistic mind
      1. This is not a good quality for a leader to have
        1. He should focus on America not dominating other regions
  4. Theodore Roosevelt
    1. Felt that when the US did not annex Hawaii in 1893 it was a crime against white civilization
      1. He was contemptuous of races and nations he considered inferior
  5. Expansion to China
    1. Roosevelt was conscious of trade relations with China
    2. State department gave instructions to American emissary in China
      1. Employ all proper methods for the extension of American interests in China
        1. This was important in shaping American policy towards Hawaii, Philippines, Asia
          1. This makes me question all the decisions we engage in because there are always ulterior motives
  6. American investments overseas
    1. 9-% of American products sold at home, 10% sold abroad
      1. Markets abroad saw prosperity
        1. Oil became a big export
          1. Second to cotton as the leading product sent overseas
          2. It's interesting to see where all the product trading originated
    2. American business interested in Cuba
      1. Cuba revolt from Spain- effect on commercial possibilities there
        1. Didn't want Cuban revolution to turn into black/white empires
        2. US battleship mysteriously blown up in Havana harbor
          1. Brought excitement because move in the direction of war
          2. Objective is to get Spain out of Cuba
          3. I feel like all our wars come from the US wanting power or control over a market
          4. Once war is over Spanish forces defeated
          5. US pretends that Cuban rebel army did not exist
          6. No Cuban was able to confer on the surrender or sign it
          7. Generally American historians have ignored the role of the Cuban rebels in war
          8. Americans begin taking over railroad, mine, and sugar properties when the war ended
          9. 30 million of American capital was invested
          10. This is a lot of money within a short amount of time
          11. Unions react either in support or against going to war
          12. After war declared, many trade unions succumbed to war fever
          13. War brought more employment and higher wages
          14. Also higher prices
  7. Demands for expansion
    1. Large commercial farmers including some Populist leaders favor expansion
      1. Necessity to seek a foreign market
  8. Antiwar
    1. Socialist Labor party organized an antiwar parade in NYC
      1. Saying a poor man's war paid by the poor, rich profit
        1. This certainly would stir conflict
    2. Corruption and profiteering
      1. A big meat company sold army 500,000pounds of beef that had been sent elsewhere a year before and returned
        1. Cases of rotten meat
          1. Thousands get food poisoning
          2. This is repulsive
  9. Cuban workers
    1. They demand an 8 hr workday
      1. Strike
        1. American general ordered mayor of Havana to arrest strike leaders
          1. Police go and break it up
          2. Then workers strike
          3. How can the US control actions of people that arent its own?
  10. US does not annex Cuba but US army would not leave Cuba until the legislation was signed
    1. Legislation stated US has the right to intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence, maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty
      1. Platt amendment
        1. Seen as betrayal , gives US too much power
    2. Cubans couldn't even play a part in setting up its own government
      1. Leaves Cubans powerless
        1. Brought Cuba into the American sphere
          1. Not a colony like Puerto Rico, Hawaiian islands
  11. Anti-Imperialist League
    1. Prominent businessmen, politicians, intellectuals form this
      1. Carry a campaign to educate American public about horrors of the Philippine war and evils of imperialism
        1. Publishes letters of soldiers doing duty in Philippines
          1. Unethical and irresponsible behavior from the US
        2. Also a time of intense racism
          1. Blacks hung, burned, lynched
          2. Filipinos also had darker skin
          3. A marine was accused of shooting defenseless filipinos for no reason
          4. This is horrifying to hear
          5. Evidence of brutality
          6. Some still will overlook this for the sake of economic gain
          7. Race riots begin all over
          8. Violence is racially motivated