American Imperialism: Crash Course US History #28

CrashCourse
5 Sept 201314:04
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this CrashCourse episode, John Green discusses American imperialism, particularly focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He explores the economic, political, and social factors that drove the U.S. to expand its influence and acquire territories, such as Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Green also delves into the consequences of imperialism, including the Philippine War and the complex status of territories like Puerto Rico and Hawaii, highlighting the tension between America's imperial actions and its democratic ideals.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 Imperialism in the 19th and early 20th centuries was a global phenomenon, with the United States also expanding its territories during this period, often referred to as 'New Imperialism'.
  • 📚 The U.S. was considered an empire from its early days, with westward expansion and conquest of territories, similar to the Russian Empire's actions in Central Asia and Siberia.
  • 💡 Economic necessity was a primary driver for American imperialism, as the U.S. sought new markets to sell its industrial products and deal with economic crises.
  • 🚢 The push for maritime power and control of the seas was tied to the need for coal depots for steamships, leading to the acquisition of colonies.
  • 🇺🇸 Nationalism and pride in the 'country' played a role in American imperialism, with the 1890s seeing the introduction of the Pledge of Allegiance and celebration of Flag Day.
  • 🏴 The U.S. acquired Hawaii before 1898, which was significant for its sugar industry and strategic naval base at Pearl Harbor.
  • 💥 The Spanish-American War was a turning point for American imperialism, resulting in the U.S. gaining new territories such as the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
  • 🛂 The Teller Amendment and the Platt Amendment illustrate the U.S.'s complex stance on territorial acquisition, with the former forswearing annexation of Cuba and the latter allowing U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs.
  • 🇵🇭 The Philippine War (1899-1903) showcased the darker side of American imperialism, with atrocities committed against Filipinos and sparked anti-imperialist sentiment domestically.
  • 🏛️ The U.S. Constitution had no provision for colonies, leading to legal workarounds like the Foraker Act and the Insular Cases to govern newly acquired territories.
  • 🤝 Imperialism was driven by the need for markets and economic growth, a quest that continued even as the contradictions with democratic ideals became more apparent.
Q & A

  • What is the main subject of the video?

    -The main subject of the video is American Imperialism, particularly focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the United States expanded its influence and acquired territories beyond its continental boundaries.

  • How does John Green introduce the concept of American Imperialism?

    -John Green introduces American Imperialism by discussing the U.S.'s role in the larger world, its history of expansion and conquest, and the economic motivations behind its imperialistic actions.

  • What is the term used to describe the period of expansion and colonization in Asia and Africa by European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

    -This period is referred to as 'New Imperialism'.

  • What economic factor was a primary cause for American Imperialism?

    -One of the primary economic causes for American Imperialism was the need for new markets to sell American products.

  • How did the U.S. economic depression in the 1890s contribute to the push for imperialism?

    -The economic depression led to a search for new markets and resources to help revive the American economy, which in turn contributed to the push for imperialism.

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

    -Captain 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 tied into the push to become a maritime power and acquire colonies.

  • Why did the U.S. decide to build a canal through Central America?

    -The U.S. decided to build a canal through Central America to facilitate faster and more efficient international trade and to support a functioning two-ocean navy, which required coal depots for the steamships.

  • What was the Teller Amendment and what did it forswear?

    -The Teller Amendment was a declaration that forswore any U.S. annexation of Cuba, addressing concerns about competition from Cuban sugar with the U.S. sugar industry.

  • What was the Philippine War and why did it occur?

    -The Philippine War occurred from 1899-1903 as a result of the U.S. decision to exercise control over the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. The war happened because the leader of the Filipino rebellion against Spain, Emiliano Aguinaldo, turned against the U.S. when it became clear that America intended to stay and not grant independence.

  • How did the U.S. Constitution address the issue of colonies?

    -The U.S. Constitution does not have a provision for colonies; it only provides for territory that will eventually be incorporated as states. Congress attempted to address this issue with various acts, such as the Foraker Act for Puerto Rico.

  • What were some of the anti-imperialist arguments and who were some of the most outspoken critics?

    -Anti-imperialist arguments were based on both racial concerns and the belief that empire was incompatible with democracy. Mark Twain was one of the most outspoken critics, arguing against the atrocities committed during the Philippine War.

  • How did the quest for markets for American goods persist after imperialism became recognized as antithetical to freedom and democracy?

    -The economic necessity for new markets persisted, leading to continued efforts to expand American influence and trade globally, even as the ideals of freedom and democracy were promoted domestically and internationally.

Outlines
00:00
🌍 Introduction to American Imperialism

This paragraph introduces the topic of American Imperialism, highlighting the U.S.'s role in the larger world context. It discusses the period of expansion and colonization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known as New Imperialism, and contrasts it with the earlier westward expansion of the U.S. The paragraph also touches on the economic motivations behind imperialism, such as the need for new markets for American products, and the impact of the 1893 economic panic on the push for imperialism.

05:03
🏝️ Hawaii and the Prelude to Imperial Expansion

The second paragraph focuses on America's imperial interests in Hawaii due to its strategic location and resources, particularly sugar. It details the eventual annexation of Hawaii in 1898 and the establishment of a naval base at Pearl Harbor. The paragraph then leads into the Spanish-American War, emphasizing the U.S.'s involvement due to both economic interests and the desire to support Cuban independence, despite the underlying motives being more complex.

10:04
🥊 The Spanish-American War and Its Aftermath

This paragraph delves into the Spanish-American War, discussing the U.S.'s entry into the conflict, the Teller Amendment, and the sinking of the USS Maine. It describes the war's outcomes, including the acquisition of new territories like the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and the subsequent battles that took place, such as the Battle of San Juan Hill and the Battle of Manila Bay. The paragraph also addresses the anti-imperialist sentiment that arose due to the atrocities committed during the Philippine War and the challenges of incorporating these new territories into the U.S. system of governance.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Imperialism
Imperialism refers to the policy or ideology of extending a nation's power and influence over other countries or territories, often by military force or through economic dominance. In the context of the video, American imperialism is explored as a significant aspect of U.S. history, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where the U.S. expanded its territories beyond its continental boundaries, acquiring places like Hawaii, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.
💡New Imperialism
New Imperialism is a term used to describe the period of expansion and colonization that occurred in Asia and Africa by European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The video explains that this period is sometimes confusingly referred to as 'New Imperialism' because it coincided with the U.S. acquiring territories beyond its continental boundaries, fitting American history into the larger world history paradigm of empire-building during this era.
💡Economic Necessity
Economic Necessity refers to the need for a nation to secure markets for its products and to ensure economic growth and stability. In the video, it is highlighted as a primary driver of American imperialism, with the U.S. seeking new territories to sell its industrial products and to secure strategic locations for coal depots necessary for its navy, illustrating the economic motivations behind the expansionist policies.
💡Nationalism
Nationalism is a political and social ideology that places the interests of the nation, and often its culture and ethnicity, above those of other nations or groups. The video discusses how nationalism played a role in American imperialism, with the U.S. seeking to instill national pride and superiority among its citizens, partly as a reason for pursuing an empire, including the annexation of territories like Hawaii.
💡Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was a short but significant conflict fought between the United States and Spain in 1898, resulting in the U.S. acquiring several territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The video describes this war as the high tide of American imperialism, emphasizing its role in establishing the U.S. as a global power and highlighting the economic and strategic interests that underpinned the conflict.
💡Teller Amendment
The Teller Amendment was a congressional resolution passed by the United States in 1898, which declared that the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba after the Spanish-American War. This amendment is mentioned in the video to illustrate the U.S.'s official stance of not seeking territorial gain in Cuba, despite its involvement in the war, reflecting the complex motivations behind American imperialism.
💡Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia that became a U.S. territory following the Spanish-American War. The video discusses the U.S.'s acquisition of the Philippines and the subsequent Philippine-American War, which lasted from 1899-1903, as a significant example of American imperialism and its often violent and controversial nature, including the U.S. military's use of concentration camps and other atrocities against the Filipino people.
💡Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Caribbean Sea. The video explains that Puerto Rico was acquired by the U.S. as a result of the Spanish-American War and became an insular territory, with its inhabitants being citizens of Puerto Rico but not of the United States, illustrating the complex status and political relationship between Puerto Rico and the U.S. due to American imperialism.
💡Hawaii
Hawaii is a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean that was annexed by the United States in 1898. The video points out that Hawaii was initially a strategic interest for the U.S. due to its location in the Pacific and its potential as a coaling station for the U.S. Navy. It was eventually incorporated as a U.S. territory and later became the 50th state in 1959, exemplifying the U.S.'s expansionist policies and the economic and strategic considerations behind American imperialism.
💡Anti-Imperialism
Anti-Imperialism is opposition to the policy of imperialism, often based on the belief that such expansionist policies are unjust or incompatible with democratic values. In the video, anti-imperialism is discussed as a response to the U.S.'s imperialistic actions, with critics like Mark Twain arguing against the injustices and atrocities committed in the name of American imperialism, highlighting the moral and ideological struggles the U.S. faced as it pursued its imperialistic ambitions.
💡Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment was a provision added to the Cuban Constitution in 1901, which gave the United States the right to intervene in Cuban affairs and to lease Guantanamo Bay for a naval base. The video explains that this amendment, while not granting the U.S. annexation of Cuba, allowed for continued American control and influence over the island, demonstrating the U.S.'s strategic interests and the enduring impact of American imperialism on the sovereignty of other nations.
Highlights

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of expansion and colonization, known as New Imperialism, primarily by European powers.

The United States has been considered an empire since its early days, with westward expansion and conquest of territories.

Economic needs, particularly the desire to sell American products, were a primary driver of American imperialism.

The 1890s was a decade of crisis in America, with economic depression and anxiety over the future.

Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's work influenced the push for the U.S. to become a maritime power and control international commerce.

The construction of a canal through Central America and the need for coal depots contributed to the U.S. pursuit of colonies.

Nationalism and pride in one's country were factors in the U.S. embracing imperialism, with the 1890s seeing the introduction of the Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Day.

The Spanish-American War was a turning point for American imperialism, with the U.S. acquiring new territories such as the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

The Teller Amendment and the Platt Amendment reflected the U.S.'s intentions regarding Cuba and Puerto Rico, respectively, showing a focus on economic interests and military intervention rights.

The Philippine War (1899-1903) was a significant and often overlooked part of American imperialism, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Americans and Filipinos.

Anti-imperialist sentiment in the U.S. was fueled by racial concerns, the incompatibility of empire with democracy, and a focus on domestic issues.

Despite the economic motivations behind imperialism, there were efforts to modernize territories like the Philippines with investments in infrastructure and public health.

The U.S. Constitution had no provision for colonies, leading to legal workarounds like the Foraker Act and the Insular Cases to manage new territories.

Hawaii's path to statehood was influenced by its white American settlers and its economic value through pineapple production.

Senator Albert Beveridge was a vocal supporter of imperialism, arguing that it would bring a new era of freedom and economic opportunity.

The quest for markets for American goods was the primary reason for imperialism, a pursuit that would continue even as its contradictions with democracy became apparent.

Brooks Adams predicted in 1902 that the U.S. would soon become the world's leading economic power, which it did within 20 years.

The struggle to reconcile American imperialism with democratic ideals persists to the present day.

Transcripts

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American ImperialismEconomic ExpansionColonialismHistorical AnalysisJohn Green19th CenturySpanish-American WarPacific DominanceAnti-ImperialismGlobal Trade