HIST-H 106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: International Trade, Guerrilla Warfare, Teller Amendment
Document Summary
Us previously unconcerned with other countries" problems: not involved, self-providing country- everything needed was here. 4 main reasons for us to look to expand overseas: religion. Missionary impulse to spread american christianity (protestantism) Benevolent conversion- offered christianity, did not force it on colonized: social/cultural issues. Believe us has responsibility to spread its culture: economic issues. American markets full of same goods- wanted to sell surplus overseas. Reciprocity treaties- mutual agreement between countries for no tariffs. Need ports, coaling stations- laid out by mahan: political issues. Wanted to hold onto last bits- puerto rico and cuba: mckinley tried to avoid war (unsuccessful, gave us puerto rico, guam, philippines. Question of status of new areas arose (states-to-be or colonies) Question of whether constitution followed the flag - rights/rules of constitution applied to colonized areas. At time, answer was mostly with limits- territories did not have same rights as states. Question of morality of having colonies not on path to statehood.
