Acquiring New Lands: America Extends Its Influence in the World

Acquiring New Lands: America Extends Its Influence in the World

Acquiring New Lands: America extends its influence in the world

Fill in the following chart, detailing America’s actions in each country, the native people’s response to America’s actions, and any “laws”, “acts”, or “amendments” passed for those countries.

Country / American Actions / Responses to Actions / Laws, acts, or amendments
Puerto Rico / Did not promise Puerto Ricans independence at the end of the Spanish-American War.
U.S. occupied Puerto Rico with soldiers under the control of Gen. Neslon Miles. / Puerto Ricans, such as Luis Munoz Rivera spoke out for self-rule. Gave speaches throughout the U.S. / 1900- Foraker Act- ended military rule and set up a civil government.
  • US president chose Puerto Ricos governor & members of the upper house legislature
  • Puerto Ricans could only elect their lower house legislators
1901 Insular Cases- determined that the constitution did NOT apply to people in acquired U.S. territories
1917- Congress made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens, and allowed them to elect their upper house legislators
Cuba / The U.S. recognized Cuba’s independence when it declared war against Spain, passing the Teller Amendment which stated that the U.S. had no intention of taking over any part of Cuba.
U.S. troops occupied Cuba after the war, allowed officials who served under Spain to stay in office, and imprisoned/exiled Cubans who protested.
U.S. troops provided food, clothing, helped farmers, started schools. Helped eliminate yellow fever.
U.S. maintained its military and political presence in order to protect American businesses in Cuba.
A treaty in 1903 made Cuba a U.S. protectorate. / Cuba formed a government and wrote a constitution, but did not specify the relationship between itself and the U.S.
In 1901 the U.S. insisted that Cuba add several provisions, known as the Platt Amendment, to its constitution. / Platt Amendment
  • Cuba could not make treaties that would limit its independence or allow a country to control any part of its territory
  • U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuban affairs
  • Cuba could not take on debt that it could not repay
  • The U.S. could buy/lease land in Cuba for naval and refueling stations (Guantanamo Bay)

The Philippines / U.S. made the Philippines American territory in the Treaty of Paris.
After the rebels began using guerilla tactics, the Americans forced Filipinos to live in designated zones where poor sanitation, starvation, and disease killed thousands.
After the rebellion, the U.S. set up a gov. similar to the one they set up in Puerto Rico / Filipinos were outraged over the Treaty of Paris, they vowed to fight for their independence.
Emilio Aguinaldo led Filipino in armed revolt against the U.S. beginning in 1899.
The Filipino rebels used guerilla tactics, causing the rebellion to last 3 years / The U.S. finally gave the Philippines its independence on July 4, 1946.
China / The U.S. viewed China as a vast potential market for American products, and opportunities for American investments in RR construction.
Sec. of State John Hay issued the Open Door Notes to Britain, Russia, France, Germany, and Japan, calling for U.S. trade rights in China / Chinese, wishing to rid China of foreign influence, started secret societies. The most famous, the Boxers, killed hundreds of missionaries and other foreigners, as well as Chinese Christians. Troops from the imperial powers put down the rebellion in 1900. / Open Door Notes- letters addressed to imperial nations that had carved spheres of influence in China, called for U.S. trading rights…creating an “open door”,