USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

[SOURCES]
Why did Roosevelt send out the Great White Fleet?

(A) to share the navy with Korea

(B) ** to show the political and economic power of the US

(C) to race the ships

(D) to visit other nations

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -In 1907, he proposed sending the fleet out on a world tour. His reasons were many: to show off the “Great White Fleet” and impress other countries around the world with U.S. naval power; to allow the Navy to gain the experience of worldwide travel; and to drum up domestic support for his naval program.

Concept note-2: -President Theodore Roosevelt sent the Great White Fleet from Hampton Roads, Virginia, on December 16, 1907, on a world tour to test naval readiness, establish global presence, generate international goodwill, and garner enthusiasm for the U.S. Navy.

Concept note-3: -President Roosevelt wanted to show off America’s power. He decided to send all of the battleships of the US Navy on around the world voyage to show off American sea power. The undertaking was a major logistic challenge for the navy which had never undertaken anything that large.

Concept note-4: -The Great White Fleet was a remarkable achievement for the United States Navy. Its 14-month voyage symbolically demonstrated America’s coming of age.

Concept note-5: -Why do you think Roosevelt considered the cruise of the Great White Fleet to be “the most important service he rendered for peace"? It demonstrated the strength of the US Navy without causing war by impressing the Japanese and helping to resolve many of the differences between the US and Japan.