Guam
Economic Impact
Acquired: 1898 (Treaty of Paris)
Summary:
Guam after the Spanish-American War became a vital naval base in the Pacific, helping the U.S. project power and protect trade routes to Asia. It supported communication lines and refueling stations for ships.
Policy Connection: Guam’s strategic location supported U.S. efforts to expand influence in the Pacific, aligning with expansionist goals and the Open Door Policy in China.
🌺 Hawaii
Economic Impact
Annexed: 1898 (during Spanish-American War)
Summary:
Though not gained directly from Spain, Hawaii was annexed during the same period. Its sugar plantations and location made it economically valuable. It became a key naval base (Pearl Harbor) and helped the U.S. dominate Pacific trade. Hawaii was not acquired through the Spanish-American War, but its annexation happened during the same period of U.S. expansion. In 1893, American sugar planters—backed by U.S. Marines—overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani in a coup. Sanford B. Dole, a leader of the planter class, became president of the new Republic of Hawaii and pushed for U.S. annexation. Policy Connection: Hawaii’s annexation reflected expansionist goals and supported Dollar Diplomacy by encouraging U.S. investment and trade in the Pacific.
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
Economic Impact
Acquired: 1898 (Treaty of Paris)
Summary:
The U.S. gained Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War as a strategic military and trade location in the Caribbean. It allowed easier access to Latin American markets and naval control in the region. Economically, it became a hub for sugar production and trade.
Policy Connection: Dollar Diplomacy encouraged U.S. investment in Latin America, including Puerto Rico, to promote stability and protect American business interests.
🚢 Panama Canal
Economic Impact
Completed: 1914
Summary:
The U.S. supported Panama’s independence from Colombia to gain rights to build the canal. The Panama Canal drastically shortened trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, boosting U.S. economic power and naval mobility. Before the Panama Canal, ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans had to sail all the way around the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn)—a dangerous and time-consuming journey that could take weeks. It became a symbol of American engineering and global influence.
Policy Connection: The canal was a direct result of Big Stick diplomacy and supported American expansionism by increasing control over global trade and military movement. It also reinforced the U.S. role as a dominant power in Latin America.
🇵🇭 Philippines
Economic Impact
Acquired: 1898 (Treaty of Paris)
Summary:
The Philippines after the Spanish-American War gave the U.S. a gateway to Asian markets, especially China. It became a key location for military bases and trade routes. The U.S. invested in infrastructure and education, but Filipino resistance led to conflict.
Policy Connection: The Open Door Policy aimed to ensure equal trade access to China, and the Philippines helped the U.S. enforce that policy by providing a nearby base of operations.
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Vivian Oliverhernand
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Guam
Economic Impact
Acquired: 1898 (Treaty of Paris) Summary: Guam after the Spanish-American War became a vital naval base in the Pacific, helping the U.S. project power and protect trade routes to Asia. It supported communication lines and refueling stations for ships. Policy Connection: Guam’s strategic location supported U.S. efforts to expand influence in the Pacific, aligning with expansionist goals and the Open Door Policy in China.
🌺 Hawaii
Economic Impact
Annexed: 1898 (during Spanish-American War) Summary: Though not gained directly from Spain, Hawaii was annexed during the same period. Its sugar plantations and location made it economically valuable. It became a key naval base (Pearl Harbor) and helped the U.S. dominate Pacific trade. Hawaii was not acquired through the Spanish-American War, but its annexation happened during the same period of U.S. expansion. In 1893, American sugar planters—backed by U.S. Marines—overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani in a coup. Sanford B. Dole, a leader of the planter class, became president of the new Republic of Hawaii and pushed for U.S. annexation. Policy Connection: Hawaii’s annexation reflected expansionist goals and supported Dollar Diplomacy by encouraging U.S. investment and trade in the Pacific.
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
Economic Impact
Acquired: 1898 (Treaty of Paris) Summary: The U.S. gained Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War as a strategic military and trade location in the Caribbean. It allowed easier access to Latin American markets and naval control in the region. Economically, it became a hub for sugar production and trade. Policy Connection: Dollar Diplomacy encouraged U.S. investment in Latin America, including Puerto Rico, to promote stability and protect American business interests.
🚢 Panama Canal
Economic Impact
Completed: 1914 Summary: The U.S. supported Panama’s independence from Colombia to gain rights to build the canal. The Panama Canal drastically shortened trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, boosting U.S. economic power and naval mobility. Before the Panama Canal, ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans had to sail all the way around the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn)—a dangerous and time-consuming journey that could take weeks. It became a symbol of American engineering and global influence. Policy Connection: The canal was a direct result of Big Stick diplomacy and supported American expansionism by increasing control over global trade and military movement. It also reinforced the U.S. role as a dominant power in Latin America.
🇵🇭 Philippines
Economic Impact
Acquired: 1898 (Treaty of Paris) Summary: The Philippines after the Spanish-American War gave the U.S. a gateway to Asian markets, especially China. It became a key location for military bases and trade routes. The U.S. invested in infrastructure and education, but Filipino resistance led to conflict. Policy Connection: The Open Door Policy aimed to ensure equal trade access to China, and the Philippines helped the U.S. enforce that policy by providing a nearby base of operations.