History Study Guide 4/10/25

Imperialism

Policy of extending a country’s power through diplomacy or military force.

The Influence of Sea Power on History

Book by Alfred T. Mahan; argued strong navies and global bases = world power.

Spanish-American War (1898)

War between U.S. and Spain; led to U.S. acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news to boost sales and stir public emotions (e.g., about Cuba/USS Maine).

USS Maine

U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor; blamed on Spain, sparking war.

Economic Expansion

Desire for new markets and resources drove imperialism.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Ended Spanish-American War; Spain gave up Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines.

Hawaiian Annexation (1898)

U.S. annexed Hawaii for military/naval use and sugar industry interests.

Open Door Policy (1899)

U.S. policy to keep China open to trade for all nations equally.

Boxer Rebellion (1900)

Anti-foreigner uprising in China; U.S. joined international forces to suppress it.

Anti-Imperialism

Opposition to empire-building; believed it contradicted U.S. democratic values.

Philippine-American War (1899–1902)

Rebellion against U.S. control; led by Emilio Aguinaldo. Brutal conflict.

Roosevelt Corollary (1904)

Expansion of Monroe Doctrine; U.S. could intervene in Latin America.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

announced by President James Monroe in 1823, warned European powers to stay out of the Western Hemisphere (North and South America) and that the U.S. would view any interference as a hostile act. 

Panama Canal (1914)

U.S.-built canal for trade/military access between oceans.

Big Stick Diplomacy

T. Roosevelt’s policy: use diplomacy, but back it with military power.

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft’s policy: use U.S. investment to influence Latin America.

Moral Diplomacy

Wilson’s policy: support democratic governments; oppose dictatorships.

Unincorporated Territory

Lands controlled by U.S. but not on track for statehood (e.g., Puerto Rico).

Great White Fleet (1907–1909)

U.S. Navy world tour to show American power.

White Man’s Burden

Poem by Rudyard Kipling; justified imperialism as civilizing duty.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that U.S. was destined to expand; extended into overseas expansion.

Alfred T. Mahan

Argued for sea power and overseas bases. Influenced U.S. naval policy.

William McKinley

President during Spanish-American War; supported expansion.

Theodore Roosevelt

Led Rough Riders; later president promoting Big Stick Diplomacy.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino leader who resisted U.S. occupation.

Queen Liliuokalani

Last monarch of Hawaii; overthrown in U.S.-backed coup.

Grover Cleveland

Opposed Hawaiian annexation initially.

John Hay

U.S. Secretary of State; created Open Door Policy.

Rudyard Kipling

Wrote “White Man’s Burden,” promoting imperialist ideology.