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US and World Law and History
Essay evaluating different types of Law practises in US history legal system.
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The US and Earth History 1890 from 1920 - James WilkinsAmerican imperialism
• Before 1890 America's foreign policy stance was defensive and seeked to keep the New World
free of wars and diplomatic entanglements. Most American's were hostile to the idea of
imperialism.
• Several of the factors behind this shift were opnely expansionist. The growth of the American
economy seemed to prove that the US needed new markets overseas. There was also a belief
that the end of the frontier meant that there needed to be new horizons. Many American's
were also swayed by the notions of racial and cultural superiority and a 'civilising mission'. Ideas
liked this added to the influence of men such as Theodore Roosevelt and Alfred Thayer
Mahan.
• But there were also many isolationists who upholded the Monroe Doctrine. Prominent figures
were William Jennings Bryan who was the Democratic candidate in the 1896, 1900 and 1908
presidential elections. The American Anti-Imperialism League was formed in 1898 which
included figures such as Grover Cleveland and Andrew Carnegie.
Spain, Cuba and the Phillippines
• The Spanish-American War of 1898 was a revolt against Spanish rule by Cuban nationalists led
by Jose Marti. The rebels received support from American sympathisers which grew stronger
after the Spanish army used brutal methods. Cuba's economy was dependent on exporting
tobacco and sugar to US markets and Cuba, only 90 miles away from the United States.
• Another reason for war was to gain access to islands under Spanish colonial rule. These would
open the way for American bases in the Pacific, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and in the
Phillippines. The fast modernisation of Japan was seen as threat to American interests, fuelled
by concerns of the 'Yellow Peril' and fears of Chinese and Japanese immigration.
• In February 1898, an American warship the USS Maine blew up in the harbour in Havana. The
event was portrayed as a Spanish provocation and was an excuse for war. The 'Yellow Press'
pushed the case for war with hysterical newspaper campaigns.
• American forces quickly occupied Cuba which helped make a national hero of Roosevelt.
Cuba remained under US military rule until 1902 when it became an American protectorate.
• Puerto Rico, Guam and the Phillippine Islands became virtual American colonies. The
conquest of the Phillippines caused controversy in America. The Anti-Imperialist league
attacked the government for betraying the traditions of the Founding Fathers.
• In 1899 a Filipino revolt broke out after it became clear that independence would not be
granted. The revolt was only suppressed in 1902 after extensive American military action.
• In 1901 Congress passed the Platt Amendment authorising intervention in Cuba which was
incorporated into the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The Platt Amendement would later be
used to justify intervention in other parts of Latin America.
The Panama Canal: Theodore Roosevelt and US foreign policy
• The Panama canal would link the Atlantic and The Pacific through Central America. However
this was difficult and expensive as a French scheme previously had failed to achieve it.
• Roosevelt decided to complete this task by sponsoring a national uprising of Panamanian
separatists which forced Colombia to accept an independent republic of Panama.
• The canal was finally completed in 1914.
• In 1904 Roosevelt set out the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, stating the
principle that the US had the right to to excercise 'international police power' in Latin America
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