U.S. Imperialism and World War 1

What were some motives for global expansion and Imperialism?

Raw materials, new markets, national prestige

Why did the U.S. become an imperialist power?

to gain access to new trade markets, secure raw materials for it’s growing economy, acquire strategic military/naval bases

How did the U.S. take over Hawaii?

American planters/business owners overthrew Queen Liliuokalani with help from U.S. marines- U.S. later annexed it in 1898

Why was the Panama Canal built? How did the U.S. gain control of this region?

to create a direct shortcut between the Atlantic/Pacific Ocean. U.S. gained control by supporting Panama's succession from Columbia and signing a treaty for a U.S. run canal zone

What happened during the Spanish American War of 1898?

U.S. fought Spain after the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, winning the quick conflict in just a few months

What territories did the US gain as a result of the Spanish American War?

Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines

What places are still associated as territories with the United States?

Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana

What is conscription (the draft)?

the enrollment of people by law into national service

What is propaganda and how was it used during imperialism and WW1?

biased. misleading info or media used to promote political opinions, sway public opinion, manipulate emotions to make people act in a specific way

What is yellow journalism?

Style of news reporting that relies on eye catching headlines, exaggerations

Propaganda V.S. Yellow Journalism

Yellow Journalism focuses more on profit, views (readers), and entertainment whereas propaganda focuses more on ideology and power

What were the major causes of WW1?

M: militarism

A: alliances

I: imperialism

N: nationalism

(A): assassination?

What was the alliance system, and how did it turn into a regional conflict into a world war?

mutual defense agreements- if one ally goes to war, the rest follow

What event triggered the beginning of World War I?

assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

How did neutrality keep the US out of WW1 at first?

refused to take sides or get involved in European conflicts, allowing the US to trade with both sides

What was the Lusitania, and what happened to it?

British passenger ship that sailed across the Atlantic ocean between New York and England, was torpedoed and sunk due to German U boats

What was the Zimmerman Telegram?

secret communication where Germany offered Mexico a military alliance with financial support if the US enter WW1. In exchange, Germany promised to help Mexico reconquer it’s lost territories (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona)

What factors contributed to the United States entering World War I?

Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare (sinking of Lusitania) and Zimmerman Telegram

What was the Selective Service Act?

law passed in 1917 that created the military draft to build up US troops for World War I

What were President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points?

his plan for lasting world peace, including free trade, ending secret treaties, creating the League of Nations

Who was the Big Four at the Paris Peace Conference?

U.S.- Woodrow Wilson

Italy: Vittorio Orlando

Great Britain: David Lloyd George

France: Georges Clemenceau

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

peace treaty that officially ended WW1, heavily punished Germany with massive fines and blame

What was the Red Scare?

widespread fear in the US about the potential rise of communism

What was the Schenck v. United States (1919) case about?

a supreme court case that ruled free speech can be limited if it presents a “clear and present” threat to the country

What was the Big Stick Diplomacy, and which president was associated with it?

Strong military presence as a threat to achieve foreign policy goals, associated with Teddy Roosevelt

What was Dollar Diplomacy, and which president is associated with it?

using financial investments and economic power instead of military force abroad, associated with William Howard Taft

Which president was associated with the Spanish American War?

William McKinley

Which President was associated with League of Nations?

Woodrow Wilson