Unit 3 Key Terms

Imperialism

Imperialism

The idea that a country increases power and wealth by controlling other nations.

Alfred T. Mahan

His book, "The Influence of Sea Power upon History," said a large navy spread worldwide on bases helped a country's power and security.

Anglo-Saxonism

The belief that white English culture, government, and religion were superior.

Open Door Policy

Agreement through which the United States was allowed full trade with China despite not controlling a "sphere of influence."

Boxer Rebellion

Event in which Chinese nationalists rebelled against foreign influence but were stopped by the United States and other countries.

Hawaii

Set of islands that was annexed by the United States largely because of their location was of economic and military value.

Yellow journalism

Biased, sensationalist, or false reporting that built American support for war against Spain.

U.S.S. Maine

Naval ship whose destruction was blamed on Spain and led to the Spanish-American War.

Rough Riders

Cavalry unit that was made up of cowboys, miners, and law officers that fought in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Annexation of Philippines

Event in which the United States acted as an imperial power over a large group of people, leading to a long and bloody insurrection.

Platt Amendment

Agreement in which the United States restricted Cuba's independence in order to protect American interests.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy that promoted a strong global military to deter other countries from challenging American interests.

Roosevelt Corollary

Policy that stated the United States, not Europe, would intervene in Latin America when necessary.

Panama Canal

Structure built to help the United States trade and move military forces quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Dollar Diplomacy

William Taft's foreign policy that promoted investment and trade with other countries, not military force.

Moral Diplomacy

Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy that was anti-imperialist and promoted democracy in other countries.

Unrestricted submarine warfare

Action of German U-boat that sank many ships, including the Lusitania.

Zimmermann Telegram

Intercepted message from Germany to Mexico proposed an alliance against the United States, enraging Americans.

Russian Revolution

Event that led to the creation of the first Communist country and later helped spark the Red Scare..

War Industries Board

Government agency that regulated factory production of war materials for World War I.

National War Labor Board

Government agency that prevented strikes during World War I and temporarily improved working conditions and the power of unions.

Great Migration

Population shift of southern blacks to northern factories that occurred during World War I; contributed to race riots after the war.

Committee on Public Information

Government agency that used propaganda to generate support for the war and promote nationalism.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

Laws that restricted free expression during World War I.

Schenk v. United States

Supreme Court ruling that upheld restrictions on free speech during World War I.

Fourteen Points

Woodrow Wilson's plan to prevent future wars and preserve lasting peace.

League of Nations

An international peacekeeping organization that formed after World War I which the United States did not join.

Treaty of Versailles

Agreement that ended World War I but punished Germany and laid the groundwork for World War II.

Red Scare

Time of tension when Americans feared the rise of communists in the United States.

Palmer Raids

Series of actions in which government officials, sometimes violating civil liberties, arrested and/or deported people suspected of radicalism.

Election of 1920

Event in which Warren G. Harding became president after promising a "return to normalcy".