AMH2020 – Imperialism, Societal Changes, and the Spanish-American War

34 vocabulary flashcards covering key people, events, concepts, and legislation from the lecture on post-Civil War industrialization, U.S. imperialism, the Spanish-American War, and Progressive-era reforms.

Imperialism (U.S. late 19th c.)

Policy of extending American power through territorial acquisition and economic/political influence abroad, emerging after decades of isolationism.

Isolationism

Traditional U.S. foreign-policy stance, inspired by Washington’s Farewell Address, favoring limited involvement in overseas affairs prior to the 1890s.

Manifest Destiny (New, post-war)

Renewed belief that the United States was destined to expand its influence, now projected overseas into Latin America and the Pacific.

Industrialization (Civil-War era)

Rapid wartime mechanization that boosted post-war production, created surpluses, and spurred the search for foreign markets.

Market Surplus

Overproduction of goods (especially agricultural) that lowered prices and drove U.S. producers to seek customers overseas.

James G. Blaine

Secretary of State who championed hemispheric trade and convened the first Pan-American Conference (1889-90).

Pan-American Conference (1889-90)

Meeting in Washington, D.C., fostering economic cooperation between the U.S. and Latin American nations.

Social Darwinism

Application of ‘survival of the fittest’ ideas to societies, often used to justify Anglo-American expansion and imperialism.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

U.S. naval strategist whose writings argued sea power was key to national greatness.

The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890)

Mahan’s seminal book linking naval strength to global dominance; spurred naval buildups worldwide.

Monroe Doctrine (invoked 1890s)

1823 policy warning Europe against Western Hemisphere intervention; used to justify U.S. involvement in Latin American disputes.

Samoan Crisis (1880s)

Near conflict between Germany and the U.S. over Pacific islands; a hurricane averted war but highlighted rising naval tensions.

Valeriano "The Butcher" Weyler

Spanish general who used brutal reconcentration camps to suppress Cuban rebels in the 1890s.

Yellow Press

Sensationalist newspapers that exaggerated events (e.g., Cuba, USS Maine) to stir U.S. public opinion toward war.

USS Maine (1898)

U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor; its sinking fueled American calls for war with Spain.

Theodore Roosevelt (Asst. Sec. Navy)

Advocate of aggressive naval action; ordered Dewey to attack the Philippines after the Maine’s destruction.

Admiral George Dewey

Commander who annihilated the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay on 1 May 1898.

Battle of Manila Bay

Decisive U.S. naval victory in the Philippines; Spanish lost 400+ men, U.S. suffered no combat deaths.

Admiral Pascual Cervera

Spanish commander whose fleet was bottled up and destroyed at Santiago, Cuba.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry led by Theodore Roosevelt; gained fame at San Juan Heights during the Spanish-American War.

Teller Amendment (1898)

Congressional pledge that the U.S. would not annex Cuba following liberation from Spain.

Platt Amendment (1903)

Provision allowing U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs and permanent lease of Guantanamo Bay.

Foraker Act (1900)

Law granting limited popular government to Puerto Rico under U.S. control.

Boxer Rebellion (1900-01)

Chinese uprising against foreign influence; suppressed by an international force, further weakening Qing China.

Populist Party (People’s Party)

Farmer-based 1890s movement advocating nationalization of railroads/telegraphs and unlimited silver coinage.

Progressive Movement (c. 1895-1920)

Reform crusade aimed at improving social conditions, regulating business, and increasing government efficiency—sometimes embracing eugenics.

Eugenics (Progressive era)

Pseudo-scientific belief in improving society by controlling reproduction of the ‘unfit’; supported by some progressives.

Muckrakers

Investigative writers who exposed corruption and social ills, prompting Progressive-era reforms.

Upton Sinclair – "The Jungle"

Novel revealing unsanitary meat-packing practices; led to federal food-safety laws.

Ida Tarbell

Journalist whose exposé on Standard Oil highlighted corporate monopolistic abuses.

Lincoln Steffens – "The Shame of the Cities"

Series exposing municipal corruption and political machines across U.S. cities.

Jacob Riis – "How the Other Half Lives"

Photo-essay depicting tenement poverty and immigrant living conditions, spurring housing reforms.

Theodore Dreiser – "The Financier" / "The Titan"

Novels critiquing unethical practices in American big business.