American Imperialism: Causes and Key Events

American imperialism

Expansion of U.S. influence globally in the late 1800s. access to foreign markets expand naval power

Foreign markets access

Selling American goods to international consumers.

Naval power expansion

Building a strong navy for global presence.

Closure of the western frontier

End of territorial expansion in the U.S.

Safety valve theory

Idea that imperialism relieves domestic pressures.

Josiah Strong

Promoted spreading Christianity as a duty. ( Whiteman's burden"

Jingoists

Extreme patriots advocating for aggressive foreign policy.

Alfred Mahan

Naval officer emphasizing sea power's importance.

Naval bases acquisition

Capturing islands for strategic military locations.

Hawaiian annexation (1893)

Overthrow of Hawaii's monarchy by American interests.

Yellow journalism

Sensationalized news to increase newspaper sales. Hearst v. pulitzer

USS Maine

Ship explosion that triggered the Spanish

Cuban Revolt

Cuban struggle for independence from Spanish rule.

Teller Amendment

U.S. promise not to annex Cuba post

Spanish-American war

 Mostly fought in the Philliapes because Spain owned it 

major win for the US

more US soldiers died of malaria than in the war

 the US acquisition of the Philippines, Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico

Platt Amendment

Limited Cuba's sovereignty, allowing U.S. intervention.

Anti- imperlists Opponents of U.S. imperialism, including notable figures.

 William Jennings Bryan, Andrew Carnegie, Mark Twain, Jane Addams

Reasons: Undemocratic, violated republican “Consent of the governed,” prevented the influx of “inferior races”

Philippines War

Filipino uprising against U.S. annexation.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of the Filipino independence movement.

White Man's Burden

Justification for imperialism as a moral duty.

Insular Cases

residents of overseas territories do not automatically receive constitutional rights

Open Door Policy

A policy proposed by the US in 1899, under which ALL nations would have equal opportunities to trade in China.

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign uprising in China in 1900.

Roosevelt Corollary

U.S. intervention in Latin America for stability.

Dollar Diplomacy

Using financial aid to influence foreign nations.

Moral Diplomacy

Wilson's policy to promote American values abroad.

Women's Era

Period of advancing women's rights in early 1900s.

Carrie Chapman Catt

Leader in women's suffrage movement.

Nativism in suffrage

Racism affecting women's voting rights advocacy.

xenophobia

fear of foreigners

Henry Cabot Lodge

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he was a leader in the fight against participation in the League of Nations

Russo-Japanese War and Roosevelt

 Roosevelt helped end the war-mediated peace treaty

Lodge Corollary

In 1912 Senate passed resolution to Monroe Doctrine. It stated that non

Panamanian Revolt

TR encouraged Panamanian separation from Colombia (big stick diplomacy) Hay

Panama Canal

Columbians would not let Americans build the canal, but then with the assistance of the United States a Panamanian Revolution occurred. The new ruling people allowed the United States to build the canal.

Great White Fleet

Sends the U.S. Navy on a world tour, paints all boats white, says it's to say hello to friendly nations It almost meant a show of force, especially to Japan

Conflict in Nicaragua (1912)

dollar diplomacy backfired after two American citizens were killed by local insurgents in Nicaragua
- political violence warranted U.S. intervention ➝ Taft sends Marines to Nicaragua capitol, dispatches naval vessels, withdraws recognition of government
- Taft tried to later save countries stability as it impacted the U.S., but relations were left unresolved

Jones Act (1916)

The act that granted the Phillipines territorial status and promised independence as soon as stable government was achieved

Wilson and Haiti/Dominican Republic

Haitian revolution threatened American Assets and Wilson sent troops to Haiti and Dominican Republic to stabilize the region.

Wilson and Mexico

Wilson did not want to get involved with Mexico's Revolts because they were financially motivated. In the end he does send troops to South Texas

Business Unionism

A term applied to the goals of U.S. labor organizations, which collectively bargain for improvements in wages, hours, job security, and working conditions