World War 1

William Seward

U.S. Secretary of State who arranged the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.

Alaska

Purchased from Russia in 1867; initially mocked as "Seward's Folly" but later found rich in resources.

Hawaii

Annexed by the U.S. in 1898 after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani; became a strategic naval base.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval officer and historian who advocated for a strong navy and overseas expansion to become a world power.

Jingoism

Aggressive nationalism and support for warlike foreign policy.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news reporting to attract readers and stir public emotions.

William Randolph Hearst

Newspaper publisher who used yellow journalism to support war with Spain.

Joseph Pulitzer

Rival newspaper publisher also known for yellow journalism.

Spanish-American War

1898 war between the U.S. and Spain; resulted in U.S. control over former Spanish territories.

Cuba

Site of major battles in the Spanish-American War; gained independence with restrictions under U.S. influence.

USS Maine

U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor, sparking calls for war against Spain.

Philippines

Acquired by the U.S. after the Spanish-American War; site of a violent independence struggle.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of the Filipino independence movement against Spain and later the U.S.

Theodore Roosevelt

Led the Rough Riders in Cuba; later became president and expanded U.S. influence globally.

Platt Amendment

Gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba's affairs and maintain a naval base there.

Insular Cases

Supreme Court rulings that limited rights of people in U.S. territories (like Puerto Rico and the Philippines).

Spheres of Influence

Areas in China where foreign powers had special trading privileges.

Open Door Policy

U.S. proposal for equal trade rights in China and preservation of Chinese territorial integrity.

Boxer Rebellion

1900 anti-foreigner uprising in China; suppressed by international forces including the U.S.

Panama Canal

Canal built by the U.S. after supporting Panama's independence from Colombia; connected Atlantic and Pacific.

Roosevelt Corollary

Addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S. would police Latin America.

Great White Fleet

U.S. naval fleet sent around the world to show American military power.

William Howard Taft

President who promoted Dollar Diplomacy—using economic power to influence other countries.

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft's policy of using economic investments to increase U.S. influence abroad.

Woodrow Wilson

President during WWI; promoted Moral Diplomacy and later the League of Nations.

New Freedom

Wilson's domestic policy agenda focused on antitrust laws and economic reform.

Moral Diplomacy

Wilson's policy of supporting democratic governments and moral foreign policy.

Mexican Civil War

Conflict in which Wilson intervened to support democratic factions in Mexico.

Neutrality

U.S. policy at the beginning of WWI to stay out of the conflict.

Submarine Warfare

German U-boat attacks that threatened U.S. neutrality and pushed the U.S. toward war.

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, killing Americans and increasing tensions.

Allied Powers

Britain, France, Russia (later U.S. joined).

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire.

Propaganda

Information spread to influence public opinion and support the war effort.

Zimmerman Telegraph

Secret message from Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S.; intercepted and helped lead to U.S. entry into WWI.

Mobilization

The process of preparing and organizing troops and resources for war.

George Creel's Committee on Public Information

Government agency that promoted pro-war propaganda during WWI.

War Agencies

Government bodies created to manage the economy and war effort (e.g., War Industries Board).

Espionage Act

1917 law that prohibited interference with military operations or support for enemies.

Sedition Act

1918 law that made it illegal to criticize the government or war effort.

Schenck v. U.S.

Supreme Court case that upheld limits on free speech during wartime ("clear and present danger").

Selective Service Act

Required men to register for the draft during WWI.

Russian Revolution - Bolsheviks

1917 uprising that overthrew the czar; Bolsheviks established a communist government and pulled Russia out of the war.

Fourteen Points

Wilson's postwar plan for peace, including self-determination, free trade, and the League of Nations.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty that ended WWI; blamed Germany, imposed reparations, and included the League of Nations.

Big Four

Leaders of the U.S. (Wilson), Britain, France, and Italy at the Versailles Conference.

League of Nations

International organization proposed by Wilson to prevent future wars.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Republican senator who led opposition to the League of Nations and Treaty of Versailles.

Reservationists

Senators willing to accept the Treaty of Versailles with modifications.

Irreconcilables

Senators who opposed the Treaty of Versailles under any circumstances.

Red Scare

Widespread fear of communism and radicalism in the U.S. after WWI, especially following the Russian Revolution.