How did American rule of Puerto Rico harm Puerto Ricans? How did it help them? Do you think the benefits outweighed the harmful effects? Why or Why not?
After the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico became a temporarily owned by the United States. This worried some Puerto Ricans who feared that they would not have the freedom that Spain had given them. Some took the route of being a vocal advocate and tried to get Puerto Rico the self rule it deserved. However, our rule over the country helped some of the Puerto Ricans who wanted statehood. Although there were two groups of Puerto Ricans, there one group was affected the country's statehood. The US definitely caused more harm than benefits to the country. This was due to the fact that our military was in control of the area. Not to mention that, whether the Puerto Ricans wanted independence or statehood, the US wasn't going to help with either, but simply use the island as a strategic spot for their troops to patrol the coast. (558-559)
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How was U.S. policy toward China different from U.S. policy toward the Philippines? To what can you attribute the difference?
In the Philippines, there were some issues with revolt. Therefore, America, as well as Spain played to role of enforcing the law against the rebelling colonies fighting for freedom. Once they finished "suppressing the rebellion" they took control of the Filipino islands as they did with Puerto Rico. However, the Philippines actually earned independence 47 years later.(561)
The situation with China was quite different however. Instead of us helping stop a rebellion, we caused one. America saw the occupation of the Philippines as a "door" to the rest of Asia to sell their products to: namely China. Hoping China doesn't loose interest in the American products in their market, the US tried to address letters to the leaders of the nation, but at the same time not create a Monopoly. However, with European Countries controlling China's main cities, the Chinese started something called "the Boxer Rebellion" on the controlling countries such as Britain, France and Germany. After the rebellion, John Hay created another "open door note" which announced that America would "safeguard for the world the principle of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire."(562-563)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
18-2 Critical Thinking
What do you think were th unstated editorial policies of yellow journalism?
Apparently, it wasn't stated that journalists could exaggerate their stories simply to increase sales. As described in James Creelman's works of journalism, the American citizens in Cuba were apparently "slaughtered" and is enough of an argument to get people thinking about war. The way Creelman put it was far to the extreme of what actually happened, but since it was in a newspaper, the people of America believed it. (552)
Some Journalists in opposing newspapers even had wars against each other, such as Hearst and Weyler. When Hearst sent an artist to Cuba, the artist informed him that the place doesn't look like there was a war at all, let alone between the US and Spain. Then, in 1898, when the USS Maine exploded, which was most likely an accident, the papers immediately started pointing fingers a Spain, which was the true spark of the Spanish-American War. (553-554)
Apparently, it wasn't stated that journalists could exaggerate their stories simply to increase sales. As described in James Creelman's works of journalism, the American citizens in Cuba were apparently "slaughtered" and is enough of an argument to get people thinking about war. The way Creelman put it was far to the extreme of what actually happened, but since it was in a newspaper, the people of America believed it. (552)
Some Journalists in opposing newspapers even had wars against each other, such as Hearst and Weyler. When Hearst sent an artist to Cuba, the artist informed him that the place doesn't look like there was a war at all, let alone between the US and Spain. Then, in 1898, when the USS Maine exploded, which was most likely an accident, the papers immediately started pointing fingers a Spain, which was the true spark of the Spanish-American War. (553-554)
Monday, October 15, 2007
18-1 Critical Thinking #s 3 & 5
How do you think manifest destiny set the stage for American imperialism at the end of the century?
Manifest destiny was pretty much always about westward expansion and its no different here. American continued its expansion by purchasing Alaska and taking over Hawaii, all in the same year. The purchase of Alaska was a large asset to business in the US. This huge state, which was bought by Russia, only cost 2 cents an acre. Not only that, bot there were some spots in the northern part of the state with an immense amount of gold. There were also supplies of oil and lumber coming from the area as well. Therefore, the purchase of Alaska was a good example of manifest destiny. (551)
However, the way America obtain Hawaii is a better example of imperialism. Americans were anxious to "pluck the now ripe Hawaiian pear." Therefore, the government simply sent troops to the islands and claim ownership of them. The Queen Liliuokalani sent a letter asking the states to be reasonable and give her kingdom, or so she called it, back. The American Government simply declined. This is a perfect example of imperialism, where a stronger nation extends their economic, political or, in this case, military control over weaker territories. (548)
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In the following passage, how does Indian Senator Albert J. Beveridge explain the need for the US to acquire new territories?
Senator Beveridge's reason is quite clear once in his statement. "We will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing points for American products..." Beveridge wants to expand the countries territory to sell products from America. Hes in it for the benefits if Big Business. Once our country owned places such as Alaska and Hawaii, the businessmen had more opportunities to sell than to fellow Americans and Europe. With Hawaii, they could sail from Pearl Harbor to places such as Hong Kong or Japan. And from Alaska, they could sell items in the northern region of Canada, as well as Russia.
Manifest destiny was pretty much always about westward expansion and its no different here. American continued its expansion by purchasing Alaska and taking over Hawaii, all in the same year. The purchase of Alaska was a large asset to business in the US. This huge state, which was bought by Russia, only cost 2 cents an acre. Not only that, bot there were some spots in the northern part of the state with an immense amount of gold. There were also supplies of oil and lumber coming from the area as well. Therefore, the purchase of Alaska was a good example of manifest destiny. (551)
However, the way America obtain Hawaii is a better example of imperialism. Americans were anxious to "pluck the now ripe Hawaiian pear." Therefore, the government simply sent troops to the islands and claim ownership of them. The Queen Liliuokalani sent a letter asking the states to be reasonable and give her kingdom, or so she called it, back. The American Government simply declined. This is a perfect example of imperialism, where a stronger nation extends their economic, political or, in this case, military control over weaker territories. (548)
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In the following passage, how does Indian Senator Albert J. Beveridge explain the need for the US to acquire new territories?
Senator Beveridge's reason is quite clear once in his statement. "We will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing points for American products..." Beveridge wants to expand the countries territory to sell products from America. Hes in it for the benefits if Big Business. Once our country owned places such as Alaska and Hawaii, the businessmen had more opportunities to sell than to fellow Americans and Europe. With Hawaii, they could sail from Pearl Harbor to places such as Hong Kong or Japan. And from Alaska, they could sell items in the northern region of Canada, as well as Russia.
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