The United States takes its Place in the World The Building of an Empire

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The United States takes its Place in the
WorldThe Building of an Empire
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Blueprint History Era 7 (1890
1930)Emergence of Modern America

• Interpret how culture changes over time as a
  consequence of industrialization, technology, or
  cultural diffusion (i.e., railroad
  transportation, telecommunication, building
  design, varied types of music, and the growth of
  government services).

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• By the late 1800s the United States had emerged
  as a leader in agriculture and industry.
• Now that our country stretched from ocean to
  ocean, many American leaders felt that the United
  States should start stretching to new lands.
  They looked for new resources and materials and
  new markets for American goods.

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Alaska a mistake?

• Many Americans thought it was foolish for the
  United States to buy Alaska from Russia in 1867
  because it was so far away and so unknown.
• However, in 1896 gold was discovered in the
  Klondike region and a gold rush reminiscent of
  1849 began.

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Definitely Not!!

• Buying Alaska turned out to be very profitable,
  and as resources of gold, fish, lumber, coal and
  copper poured in, many felt that we should search
  for new lands across seas.

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Aloha Hawaii!!

• The Hawaiian Islands had been inhabited since
  the eighth century. By the late 1800s many
  Americans lived there. In 1887 King Kalakaua
  tried to keep Americans from taking over his
  islands, but failed. The many Americans who
  lived there forced the King to sign a new
  constitution that left the Hawaiian monarchy with
  no power.

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Hawaii for the Hawaiians Again

• Queen Liliuokalani was one of the most renown
  queens of Hawaii. She tried in 1893 to bring
  back the monarchys authority. She vowed to make
  Hawaii a place ruled by the native people again.
  She failed and Hawaii was annexed as a state in
  1898. Queen Liliuokalani was the last queen of
  Hawaii and wrote the famous song Aloha Oe which
  means Farewell to thee.

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• The United States began to come into conflict
  with other countries who were spreading beyond
  their borders, too especially Spain.
• President McKinley sent our battleship, the
  Maine, to Cuba to show our countrys support of
  their rebellion for independence from Spain. The
  ship exploded in Havanas harbor and many people
  blamed Spain.

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• On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war
  on Spain. The slogan of the war?
• Remember the Maine!

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The Spanish American War

• Thousands of Americans volunteered to fight in
  the war against Spain. Our Army quickly grew
  from 30,000 soldiers to more than 274,000.
• Theodore Roosevelt was one of the war volunteers
  and he led a company of cowhands and college
  athletes who called themselves the rough riders.

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Over Quickly, but not Quickly enough

• The war lasted less than 4 months, but more than
  5000 Americans died. The United States was left
  feeling like a stronger world power. Under the
  peace treaty, the United States gained control of
  Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippine
  Islands. Guam and Puerto Rico are still under US
  control today.

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Theodore Roosevelt - a name to remember

• Because of his part in the war, Theodore
  Roosevelt was a very popular man. He quickly was
  elected to public positions and soon became the
  Vice President of the United States. When
  President McKinley was assassinated in 1901,
  Theodore Roosevelt became the new President of
  the United States.

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• President Roosevelt steered the United States
  more actively into world politics. He liked to
  quote a favorite proverb, "Speak softly and carry
  a big stick, and you will go far.
• He believed that what happened in the rest of
  the world directly affected the United States,
  thus the United States should help shape the
  world.

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"In any moment of decision, the best thing you
can do is the right thing. The worst thing you
can do is nothing."

• President Roosevelt was a man of Action.
• Many Americans thought that he would bring our
  country to war because of his tough rhetoric and
  opinions concerning peace and readiness for war.
  Instead, and in spite of the broiling turmoil
  across the oceans, the two Roosevelt
  administrations were among the most peaceful and
  harmonious in all of American history. And as if
  that were not enough, the president was awarded
  the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in negotiating
  the end to the bitter Russo-Japanese War in 1905
  the first American so honored.

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The Panama Canal

• President Roosevelt saw the need for a shortcut
  between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and began
  the process that would build the Panama Canal.
  For years people had talked about the possibility
  of such a canal and the French had attempted one
  years earlier, but were unsuccessful. Thick
  jungles and disease were major problems. Another
  problem arose when Columbia refused to sell the
  isthmus of Panama to the US.

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??Too many problems??

• Not willing to give up on the canal, President
  Roosevelt sent word to the people of Panama that
  IF a revolution against Columbian rule happened
  to take place, the US Navy would be near to
  prevent Columbian troops from entering Panama. A
  revolution soon took place, Panama became
  independent and gave the US permission to begin
  work on the canal. New machines, medicine, and
  knowledge helped keep the workers healthy.

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• President Roosevelt was the first President of
  the United States to leave the United States
  while President. He visited the Panama Canal on
  August 15, 1914. The canal today still helps
  move people and goods all around the world.

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A World Power

• In a manner of a few decades, the United States
  had found her place among the leaders of the
  world. Her influence was felt by many and her
  people were proud to call themselves Americans.

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Resources

• Carry a Big Stick - The Uncommon Heroism of
  Theodore Roosevelt, by George Grant 1996
  Cumberland House Publishing Inc.
• The United States in Modern Times, Harcourt
  Brace, 2002