Uncle Sam’s War of 1898 and the Origins of Globalization

The roots of American globalization can be found in the War of 1898. Then, as today, the United States actively engaged in globalizing its economic order, itspolitical institutions, and its values. Thomas Schoonover argues that this drive to expand political and cultural reach―the quest for wealth, missionary fulfillment, security, power, and prestige―was inherited by the United States from Europe, especially Spain and Great Britain. Uncle Sam's War of 1898 and the Origins of Globalization is a pathbreaking work of history that examines U.S. growth from its early nationhood to its first major military conflict on the world stage, also known as the Spanish-American War. As the new nation's military, industrial, and economic strength developed, the United States created policies designed to protect itself from challenges beyond its borders. According to Schoonover, a surge in U.S. activity in the Gulf-Caribbean and in Central America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was catalyzed by the same avarice and competitiveness that motivated the European adventurers to seek a route to Asia centuries earlier. Addressing the basic chronology and themes of the first century of the nation's expansion, Schoonover locates the origins of the U.S. goal of globalization. U.S. involvement in the War of 1898 reflects many of the fundamental patterns in our national history―exploration and discovery, labor exploitation, violence, racism, class conflict, and concern for security―that many believe shaped America's course in the twentieth and twenty-first century. Uncle Sam's War Of 1898 And The Origins Of Globalization Examines The Growth Of The American Empire From Its Early Nationhood To Its First Global Military Conflict. As The Fledgling Nation's Military, Industrial, And Economic Strength Developed, The United States Created Policies Designed To Protect Itself From Challenges Beyond Its Borders. According To Schoonover, A Surge In U.s. Activity In The Gulf-caribbean And In Central America In The Late Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries Was Catalyzed By The Same Avarice And Competitiveness That Motivated European Adventurers To Seek A Route To Asia Centuries Earlier. Schoonover Locates The Origins Of American Globalization And Expansionism In The Spanish-american War. American Involvement In The War Of 1898, He Argues, Reflects Many Of The Fundamental Patterns Of Our National History - Exploration And Discovery, Labor Exploitation, Violence, Racism, Class Conflict, And Concern For Security - That Have Shaped America's Course Since The Nineteenth Century. Uncle Sam's War Of 1898 And The Origins Of Globalization Is The First Work To Identify The Source Of The United States' Economic, Political, And Social Policies Abroad - And The Actions That Established It As The Only Remaining Superpower.--jacket. Exploration And New Territories, 1780s-1850s -- The Great Powers In The Caribbean Basin, 1800-1890s -- The Great Powers In East Asia And The Pacific, 1840s-1890s -- U.s. Domestic Developments And Social Imperialism, 1850s-1890s -- Three Crises: The 1893 Depression, China, And Cuba -- The War Of 1898 In The Pacific Basin -- The Legacy Of The Crises Of The 1890s. Thomas Schoonover ; Foreword By Walter Lafeber. Maps On Lining Papers. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [153]-164) And Index. Cover......Page 1 Uncle Sam's War of 1898 and the Origins of Globalization......Page 2 Uncle Sam's......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Figures......Page 9 1. "Le Gateau Chinois"......Page 88 2. "Gateau des Rois et des Empereurs," Le petit journal......Page 89 3. "Uncle Sam to the European Powers," Boston Globe......Page 94 4. "Knocking at the Door," Chicago Tribune......Page 95 5. "Uncle Sam and Liberty Enjoy Their Good Deed," St. Louis Globe-Democrat......Page 97 6. "Ha! Ha!" Los Angeles Times......Page 98 7. "Shelling the Enemy," Judy, London......Page 99 8. "John Bull," postcard, 1900......Page 106 9. "Off to War Parade, Denver"......Page 107 10. "Hospital in the Philippines"......Page 110 11. "Chinesische Spottkarte. Chinese verjagt Europa"......Page 124 12. "Chinese Boxer Troops"......Page 125 13. "War in China," postcard, 1900......Page 126 14. "Entrance of Chinese Empress Dowager, Cixi, "postcard......Page 127 Foreword......Page 10 Preface......Page 14 Introduction......Page 18 1. Exploration and New Territories, 1780s–1850s......Page 26 2. The Great Powers in the Caribbean Basin, 1800–1890s......Page 35 3. The Great Powers in East Asia and the Pacific, 1840s–1890s......Page 52 4. U.S. Domestic Developments and Social Imperialism, 1850s–1890s......Page 70 5. Three Crises: The 1893 Depression, China, and Cuba......Page 82 6. The War of 1898 in the Pacific Basin......Page 105 7. The Legacy of the Crises of the 1890s......Page 119 Notes......Page 140 Selected Bibliography......Page 170 Index......Page 182