The Caribbean Policy of the Ulysses S. Grant Administration

Foreshadowing an Informal Empire

Nonfiction, History, Americas, Central America, Latin America, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book The Caribbean Policy of the Ulysses S. Grant Administration by Stephen McCullough, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephen McCullough ISBN: 9781498500135
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: November 30, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Stephen McCullough
ISBN: 9781498500135
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: November 30, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

From 1869 to 1877, the United States found itself deeply involved in the Caribbean as Washington sought to replace European influence and colonialism with an informal American empire. The Ulysses S. Grant administration primarily dealt with an uprising in Spanish Cuba known as the Ten Years’ War that threatened to draw in the United States. The Cuban rebels used the United States as a base of support, causing conflict between Washington and Madrid. Many Americans, including Grant, wanted to replace Spanish rule in Cuba with a U.S. protectorate, but Secretary of State Hamilton Fish opposed American colonial entanglements. President Grant looked to expand U.S. interests in the Caribbean. He looked to acquire colonies to provide naval bases to protect the trade routes to a potential American built and controlled canal in Central America.

Fish preferred to expand U.S. commercial interests in the region rather than acquiring colonies. At no time was he prepared to obligate the United States to any long-term commitments. He wanted to end the war in Cuba because it hurt U.S. economic interests. He had no desire to acquire territory, but expected the Caribbean to fall into the U.S. economic sphere.

Despite his personal opposition to territorial acquisition in Fish went along with Grant’s Dominican annexation project because he foresaw it as a chance to end European imperialism and to gain the president’s confidence. The Senate’s failure to approve the Dominican annexation only hardened his opposition to the creation of an American empire. He rejected Haitian offers of a naval base within that country, and he continually sought an end to the Cuban rebellion, lest it drag in the United States. Though the administration’s many peace initiatives failed, it forestalled Congressional intervention and kept the United States neutral in the conflict.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

From 1869 to 1877, the United States found itself deeply involved in the Caribbean as Washington sought to replace European influence and colonialism with an informal American empire. The Ulysses S. Grant administration primarily dealt with an uprising in Spanish Cuba known as the Ten Years’ War that threatened to draw in the United States. The Cuban rebels used the United States as a base of support, causing conflict between Washington and Madrid. Many Americans, including Grant, wanted to replace Spanish rule in Cuba with a U.S. protectorate, but Secretary of State Hamilton Fish opposed American colonial entanglements. President Grant looked to expand U.S. interests in the Caribbean. He looked to acquire colonies to provide naval bases to protect the trade routes to a potential American built and controlled canal in Central America.

Fish preferred to expand U.S. commercial interests in the region rather than acquiring colonies. At no time was he prepared to obligate the United States to any long-term commitments. He wanted to end the war in Cuba because it hurt U.S. economic interests. He had no desire to acquire territory, but expected the Caribbean to fall into the U.S. economic sphere.

Despite his personal opposition to territorial acquisition in Fish went along with Grant’s Dominican annexation project because he foresaw it as a chance to end European imperialism and to gain the president’s confidence. The Senate’s failure to approve the Dominican annexation only hardened his opposition to the creation of an American empire. He rejected Haitian offers of a naval base within that country, and he continually sought an end to the Cuban rebellion, lest it drag in the United States. Though the administration’s many peace initiatives failed, it forestalled Congressional intervention and kept the United States neutral in the conflict.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Beyond Equality in the American Classroom by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Muslim Interpreters in Colonial Senegal, 1850–1920 by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Gender and Environment in Science Fiction by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Normative Power Europe Meets Israel by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Household Mobility and Persistence in Guadalajara, Mexico by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Ecocriticism of the Global South by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book French Orientalist Literature in Algeria, 1845–1882 by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book The Language of Strong Black Womanhood by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Neuroplasticity, Performativity, and Clergy Wellness by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Kafka's Creatures by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Machiavelli and Epicureanism by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Liberty, Wisdom, and Grace by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Physical Pain and Justice by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Intelligent and Honest Radicals by Stephen McCullough
Cover of the book Deep Down Things by Stephen McCullough
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy