5.7-The-U.S.-Navy-and-American-Imperialism-1898

Sea Power and Maritime Affairs

Lesson 5.7: The U.S. Navy and American Imperialism, 1898-1914

Enabling Objectives • Know the influence of mass media in U.S. relations with Spain and the effect of the destruction of the USS Maine on public opinion. • Comprehend the impact of the Mahanian Doctrine on the naval strategy and conduct during the Spanish-American War. • Comprehend some reasons for the acceleration of the U.S. Navy expansion following the war with Spain. • Know the effect of the Progressive Era in domestic politics on the Navy during the period 1900-1914.

“Remember the Maine!!” • Cuban Revolution 1895-1898 • USS Maine Explosion February 1898: – Destroyed by “underwater mine” with 260 dead. – 1975: Rickover proved it was caused by an internal explosion. – President William McKinley: – Congress declares war on Spain in April 1898.

William McKinley 25th POTUS

“You May Fire When Ready, Gridley” – Battle of Manila Bay – 1 May 1898. – Admiral Dewey: • 4 cruisers, 2 gunboats and a revenue cutter. • Gunnery and fire control drills on the way to Manila.

– Admiral Montojo: • 2 cruisers (1 modern & 1 immobile) & 5 other ships at Manila. • Spanish use shore guns to augment anchored fleet.

Advancement to Cuba

Adm Sampson

Adm Schley

CDR North Atlantic Squadron

CDR North Atlantic Flying Squadron

Adm Pascual Cervera Commander Spanish Fleet

Battle of Santiago • Spanish governor orders fleet to flee harbor on 1 July 1898 • Spanish losses – 160 killed, 1800 captured

• American losses – 1 killed, 1 wounded

Battle of San Juan Hill

U.S. “Empire” Established

Mahan Vindicated • Spanish American War vindicated Mahan’s theories. – Guerre de course no longer a single viable way of fighting a naval war.

• Battleships enshrined as principal warship.

Stick Diplomacy The Big Great White Fleet - 1907 1901-1909 • “Speak softly but carry a big stick” – Steam, armor, and rifled breech-loading guns – 4 1st Class Battleships: Indiana, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Iowa – 2 2nd Class Battleships: Texas and Maine – 12 Armored Cruisers

Naval Aviation 1903

1910

1911

Panama Canal • Panama Canal Zone ceded to U.S. after Panamanian Revolution against Colombia in 1903. • Construction of the canal begins in 1904. – Completed in 1914. • U.S. undisputed control of Caribbean Sea. Construction of locks on the Panama Canal, 1913

Battle History Video 1865-1890: - Chapter 1 “Born Into War” - Time 25:40 - 44:34

Enabling Objectives • DESCRIBE the influence of mass media in U.S. relations with Spain and the effect of the destruction of the USS Maine on public opinion. • EXPLAIN the impact of the Mahanian Doctrine on the naval strategy and conduct during the SpanishAmerican War. • EXPLAIN some reasons for the acceleration of the U.S. Navy expansion following the war with Spain. • DESCRIBE the effect of the Progressive Era in domestic politics on the Navy during the period 1900-1914.

Discussion

Next Time: The U.S. Navy and World War I, 19141918