APUSH - American Expansionism Quiz

Transcontinental Railroad

• A continuous railway line that connected the East and West

• Revolutionized transportation and made westward expansion easier

• Built by the Union and Central Pacific companies

Chinese Exclusion Act

• Federal law that restricted Chinese immigration for 10 years

• Chinese already in the country could not become naturalized citizens

• Led to many racist ideologies

Homestead Act

• Settlers could buy plots of 160 acres of land for a small fee

  • They had to occupy this land for 5 years and improve upon it

  • These people were known as “sod busters”

• Lincoln made this to try and fill middle America

• This was a form of government relief

• It helped to create many new markets and new outpost for commercial agriculture

  • Helped the growing economy

• This ultimately failed though because many people abandoned their land

Battle of Little Bighorn

• Famous conflict between Natives and whites

  • The Indians gathered one of the largest armies at the time in the US

    • Killed a ton of white men including Custer and his 7th Cavalry

• Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse led this battle on the Native side

• Indian chiefs gathered thousands of warriors

• Their (natives) lack of political organization led these Indian fighters to drift off forcing their loss to the whites

• Part of the Sioux Wars

  • This was when Natives would leave their reservations and invade other villages

  • They were trying to bring back their history

Decimation of the Buffalo

• Whites were killing buffalos at a rapid rate to gain food and supplies for migrants traveling to the Gold Rush

• Indians used Buffalo for everything

  • It destroyed the Indian’s food source and supplies

• Forced the Indians to fight for their land against the whites

Chief Joseph

• He was the leader of the Nez Perce tribe

• Urged his followers to flee from US troops

• His people were able to evade the US army again and again but eventually had to surrender

  • The government did not honor Joseph’s desires

• He believed that the fight for natives was lost and they must give up

• “I will fight no more forever” speech

Nez Perce

• Native American tribe impacted by Westward Expansion

• Led by Chief Joseph

• Planned a strategic retreat to Canada that ultimately failed

  • They were displaced by the whites

Helen Hunt Jackson

• She wrote “A Century of Dishonor”

  • She discussed the mistreatment of natives and sent it to everyone in Congress

Ghost Dance

• This was a ritual of spiritual awakening in Nevada that spread to the plains

• It emphasized the coming of Messiah and dead Natives

• This was performed by natives and inspired ecstatic visions

  • They had images of a retreat of the whites and a restoration of the great buffalo herds

• The whites thought this was a demonic ritual

Dawes Severalty Act

• This was an act that passed to gradually get rid of Native tribal land

• Forced Natives to become farmers and assimilate with white society

• There was corruption with the White’s enforcing the Act

  • Natives tried to resist but their land was still taken and their families were torn apart

• Natives had to give up their tribal customs and traditions in order to gain land

Battle of Wounded Knee

• Custer’s regiment, the 7th Cavalry, tried to round up hundreds of Sioux at Wounded Knee, South Dakota

• Fighting broke out and 40 whites died while over 300 Indians died

• This battle turned into a one sided massacre

  • “Wounded Knee Massacre”

• The whites used cannons to kill Indians 

  • This ended the Sioux Wars

Native Assimilation

• Natives resisted the lifestyle and cultures of the whites

• Native children were taken and sent to boarding schools to abandon their tribal ways

• They were forced to fit into white society

Granger Movement

• 1st farm organization founded by Oliver Kelly

• They attempted to bring farmers by to learn new scientific techniques

  • Farmers Union

• Membership increased after Depression of 1873

  • Began to focus less on social benefits and more on economic possibilities

Populist Party

• Political party that focused on agriculture and rights for farmers

• William Jennings Bryan was the leading candidate

• “Cross of Gold Speech”

  • Argued that farmers were being crucified and the gold standard was killing them

• They agreed with whatever was popular at the time with the majority 

  • Farming

Stalwarts and Half Breeds

• Stalwarts had more traditional beliefs and agreed with the spoils system

• Half Breeds were more progressive and wanted to reform the spoils system

• These two groups competed for control of the Republican Party

William Jennings Bryan

• He was a populist leader who delivered the “Cross of Gold” speech

  • He wanted to help debt-ridden farmers

• He ran for president 3 times and never won

• He served as Secretary of State under Wilson

Cross of Gold Speech

• Speech delivered by William Jennings Bryan

• He condemned the gold standard which only benefitted the wealthy

• Advocated for bimetallism

  • Backing currency with both gold and silver

  • Aimed to help farmers and workers who were struggling

Frontier Thesis

• The argument that the settlement of the frontier and westward expansion mainly shaped American institutions

  • Idea formed by Frederick Jackson Turner

• He argued that the closing of the frontier could lead to stagnation and decline for America

Frederick Jackson Turner

• American historian known for his Frontier Thesis

  • Frontier was the most important factor in shaping American democracy and institutions

• Believed humanity could progress as long as there was new land to move into

William Seward

• He served as Secretary of State

  • He was an abolitionist politician

• He negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia 

  • Was known as “Seward’s Folly” until people realized how many resources there were in Alaska

Sanford Dole

• He led the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in Hawaii

• He became the president of the Republic of Hawaii

  • Fought for annexation by the United States

• Following annexation he became the governor of Hawaii

McKinley Tariff

• This was a very high tariff that raised import duties to above 50%

  • Protected American industries from foreign competition

• Led to higher prices for consumers so there was a lot of backlash

  • Opposition to the tariff helped start the Populist Party

• One of the largest tariffs in American history

Queen Liliuokalani

• She was the last reigning Queen of Hawaii

  • She tried to resist foreign influence but was overthrown by Dole leading to the annexation of Hawaii

• Represents clash between Hawaiian sovereignty and American imperialism

War of Cuban Independence

• Cuba wanted to self-govern but they were under Spanish colonial rule

• This led to US intervention

  • Spanish-American War

• Ultimately they did not gain independence as the US gained control of their territory

Jose Marti

• Cuban writer and revolutionary who came up with the idea for Cuba’s independence from Spain

• He led the Cuban Revolutionary Party

• He inspired the Spanish-American War

  • He was killed in battle

Yellow Journalism

• Style of newspaper reporting that used exaggeration to attract readers

  • It was blurred and hard to determine what was fact and what was fiction

• It was promoted by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst

• They significantly shaped public opinion leading to Spanish-American War

  • Made people want to fight and become hungry for conflict

William Randolph Hearst

• He was a yellow journalist

  • He exaggerated many stories to gain people’s attention

• He got the public going with their negative opinions towards Spain

  • Contributed to sentiment causing the Spanish-American War

Joseph Pulitzer

• He was a yellow journalist

  • Competed against Hearst

• Exaggerated stories in newspapers to the public

U.S.S. Maine

• US naval battleship that exploded and sank in Havana Harbor

  • This was blamed on Spain

    • Yellow Journalism

• This became a major cause of the Spanish-American War

• “Remember the Maine!”

Theodore Roosevelt

• He was the 26th president

• He fought in the Spanish American War

• He led the Roughriders

• He had the Big Stick Policy

Roughriders

• 1st US voluntary cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt

  • They fought during the Spanish-American War

• This was made of a diverse group of men:

  • cowboys, hunters, miners, college students, etc.

Battle of San Juan Hill

• Key battle of the Spanish-American War

  • Captured San Juan Heights outside Santiago, Cuba

• The US ended up taking Santiago and this battle ended the war

• Set a precedent for more American intervention in foreign affairs

Treaty of Paris (1898)

• Ended the Spanish-American War and marked the US as a global power

• Spain gave the US the territories of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam

• Sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million

• Marked a shift from isolationism to more involvement

Philippine-American War

• Armed conflict between the US and Filipino revolutionaries

• Occurred due to the US annexation of the Philippine from the Spanish-American War

• Filipino forces sought independence

Emilio Aguinaldo

• He was the Filipino revolutionary leader in the Philippine-American War

• He also led revolts against the Spanish

• He was captured by the US which ultimately ended the war

Herbert Spencer

• British philosopher who coined the term Social Darwinism

  • AKA Survival of the Fittest

• He argued that social and economic inequalities were natural and that the government should not interfere

  • He believed in laissez-faire

Social Darwinism

• Believed that survival of the fittest applied to society

• The wealthy were successful because they were naturally superior while the poor suffered because they were unfit for society

• Fueled the eugenics movement

  • Certain traits are more desirable than others

Rudyard Kipling

• He wrote the “White Man’s Burden” in response to the Spanish-American War

“White Man’s Burden”

• Western powers had a duty to colonize and civilize inferior people

• This concept justified American imperialism

• Believed it was their moral obligation to bring Christianity over to lesser peoples

• Masked exploitation, racism, and oppression

Foraker Act

• US law that established a civilian government in Puerto Rico

• Established a governor for Puerto Rico

• Made PR a territory

• Limited Puerto Rican self-governance and established more US control

Platt Amendment

• U.S. law that set conditions for the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Cuba after the Spanish-American War

  • The US reserved the right to intervene in Cuba

    • Maintain order and protect their independence

  • They could buy land on the island or establish naval stations

  • Cuba could not give territory to other foreign nations

Spheres of Influence

• An area where one nation has dominant control over the political, economic, and military affairs of a weaker nation

  • Imperialism with China

John Hay

• He was the Secretary of State who authorized the Open Door Policy for China

  • Established a policy of equal trading rights

Open Door Policy

• US policy created by John Hay

  • Opened China to equal trade rights for all nations

  • Prevented a single power from monopolizing over China

  • Prevented the carving of China into colonies

• Secured American commercial interests of the various trade routes

Boxer Rebellion

• Uprising in China by martial artists and mystics

  • They were anti foreigner, anti imperialist, and anti Christian

• Led by a secret society known as the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists

  • Known as “Boxers” to westerners

• This rebellion was crushed by an alliance of nations

  • Including the US

• China had to pay a fine and they couldn’t have gun imports for 2 years

William McKinley

• He was the 25th President

• He led the US to victory in the Spanish-American War

  • Brought an era of imperialism

• He supported very protective tariffs

• He was killed a Roosevelt became president

Russo-Japanese War

• Conflict between Russia and Japan over competing imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea

• Japan won every battle but were running out of money

  • The US negotiated a peace agreement

Panama Canal

• Man made waterway created by the US as a shortcut between Atlantic / Pacific Oceans

• US paid millions for the land and helped Panama gain independence from Colombia

• Revolutionized trade as it cut the time down significantly

Roosevelt Corollary

• An addition to the Monroe Doctrine by Theodore Roosevelt

• The US has the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain order and prevent European intervention

• The US could exercise police power to protect Latin American nations

  • Many American military interventions

Monroe Doctrine

• US foreign policy statement

• Established a boundary that European nations couldn’t colonize in the Western Hemisphere

• US would not interfere in European affairs or existing colonies

  • Isolationist

Big Stick Diplomacy

• Teddy Roosevelt’s approach that advocated for the use of military power and the threat of force

  • Came from an ancient African proverb

• Use this aggression to achieve foreign policies while also negotiating peacefully

Dollar Diplomacy

• President Taft’s approach that used economic force over military force in Latin American countries

  • Financial investments would promote American interest abroad

• Encouraged Americans to invest in Latin America

  • This failed and was criticized for favoring economic ideas over ethical ones

Woodrow Wilson

• He was the 28th President of the United States

• He was a progressive Democrat known for his ideas on New Freedom and Moral Diplomacy

Moral Diplomacy

• Created by Woodrow Wilson

• Claimed the US had a moral responsibility to help Latin American nations

• Support weaker nations with a democratic government

• It was their Christian duty to help out

• Sometimes got involved in things that got messy

  • Mexican Revolution

Banana Republic

• Politically unstable country where fruit companies had great power

  • Economy was dependent on a limited product —> bananas

• Secretly controlled by private businesses

Anti-Imperialism League

• An organization that formed to oppose the United States' acquisition of colonies

  • Claimed imperialism was hypocritical

• US based on consent of the governed yet they don’t get consent from these weaker nations

Mark Twain

• Coined the term the Gilded Age

• American author

What barriers were created to limit citizenship and social mobility for minority groups in the late 19th century?

In the late 19th century, several barriers were created to limit citizenship and social mobility for minority groups in the United States. African Americans faced Jim Crow laws, segregation, and discriminatory practices like poll taxes and literacy tests that prevented them from voting. Chinese immigrants were excluded from citizenship through the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, while Native Americans were forced onto reservations and denied full rights until later legislation. These legal and social restrictions kept minority groups from accessing equal education, jobs, and political participation, reinforcing racial inequality and limiting upward mobility.

What was the Homestead Act and how did it encourage settlement of the American West?

The Homestead Act of 1862 was a law that offered 160 acres of free land to American citizens or immigrants willing to settle and cultivate it for at least five years. Its goal was to encourage westward expansion and populate the American frontier. By making land ownership accessible to ordinary people—including farmers, freed slaves, and immigrants—it motivated thousands to move west in search of opportunity. This act helped expand agriculture and establish new communities, but it also displaced many Native American tribes from their lands.

What fate befell Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce — along with various other Native tribes?

Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce, like many other Native American tribes, were forced from their ancestral lands as white settlers moved west. After resisting relocation to a reservation in 1877, Chief Joseph led his people on a long, desperate journey toward Canada to seek freedom, but they were captured just short of the border. The Nez Perce were then sent to reservations far from their homeland, where many suffered and died due to poor conditions. This mirrored the fate of many other tribes who were displaced, confined to reservations, and stripped of their traditional ways of life.

How did the Dawes Act attempt to assimilate Native Americans into the larger American culture?

The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American culture by breaking up tribal lands and dividing them into individual plots for Native families. The idea was to encourage Native Americans to adopt farming and private land ownership, reflecting white American values of independence and property. However, much of the remaining land was sold to white settlers, and Native tribes lost millions of acres. Instead of helping, the act weakened Native communities, eroded tribal culture, and furthered the loss of their traditional way of life.

What was the Ghost Dance and what occurred during the final major Native American battles?

The Ghost Dance was a spiritual movement among Native Americans in the late 19th century that promised the return of their ancestors, the restoration of lost lands, and the end of white domination if they performed the dance faithfully. U.S. authorities viewed the movement as a threat, leading to increased tension and violence. This culminated in the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, the final major Native American conflict, where U.S. soldiers killed around 300 Lakota men, women, and children. The massacre marked the tragic end of Native armed resistance to U.S. expansion.

What was the Populist Party and what argument was made in Bryan’s “Cross of Gold Speech?”

The Populist Party, formed in the late 19th century, represented farmers and laborers who felt left behind by industrialization and big business. They called for reforms such as government control of railroads, a graduated income tax, and the free coinage of silver to increase the money supply and help those in debt. In his famous 1896 “Cross of Gold” speech, William Jennings Bryan argued passionately against the gold standard, claiming it hurt farmers and workers by keeping money scarce. He declared that the nation should not be “crucified on a cross of gold,” urging support for silver to bring prosperity to ordinary Americans.

How did the concept of “Manifest Destiny” drive American expansion throughout the 19th century?

The concept of “Manifest Destiny” was the belief that Americans were destined by God to expand westward across the continent, spreading democracy and civilization. This idea justified the nation’s territorial growth throughout the 19th century, including the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Territory, and lands gained after the Mexican-American War. While it fueled national pride and economic opportunity, Manifest Destiny also led to the displacement and suffering of Native Americans and increased tensions over slavery in new territories.

What was Frederick Jackson Turner’s “Frontier Thesis?”

Frederick Jackson Turner’s “Frontier Thesis,” presented in 1893, argued that the American frontier played a key role in shaping the nation’s character and democracy. He claimed that the experience of moving westward and settling new lands encouraged individualism, innovation, and a spirit of equality. According to Turner, the frontier was what made Americans distinct from Europeans. He also warned that with the frontier now closed, the country might lose a vital source of its energy and opportunity for growth.

What contributed to the United States’ desire to annex Hawaii?

The United States’ desire to annex Hawaii was driven by both economic and strategic interests. American sugar planters had established powerful businesses there, and annexation would allow them to avoid tariffs and increase profits. Additionally, Hawaii’s location in the Pacific made it a valuable naval and trading base, especially for reaching Asian markets. After the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893 by American settlers and businessmen, the U.S. formally annexed Hawaii in 1898, expanding its influence and marking a step toward becoming a Pacific power.

What was Yellow Journalism and how did it contribute to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War?

Yellow Journalism was a style of sensationalized and exaggerated news reporting used by newspapers in the late 19th century to attract readers. Publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer used dramatic headlines and emotional stories—often stretching the truth—to stir public outrage against Spain’s actions in Cuba. When the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, yellow journalists blamed Spain without solid evidence, fueling anger and calls for war. This emotional and misleading reporting helped push the United States into the Spanish-American War.

How did the sinking of the USS Maine serve as an inciting incident for the war?

The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, served as the spark that ignited the Spanish-American War. The explosion killed over 250 American sailors, and although the cause was never proven, many Americans—fueled by sensationalist “yellow journalism”—blamed Spain. The incident outraged the public and created pressure on the U.S. government to take action. The rallying cry “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” captured the nation’s anger and helped push the United States to declare war on Spain soon after.

During the Spanish-American War, why did the US first invade the Philippines?

During the Spanish-American War, the United States first invaded the Philippines because it was a key Spanish colony in the Pacific and a strategic location for weakening Spain’s global power. By capturing the Philippines, the U.S. could cut off Spanish reinforcements and secure a foothold in Asia for trade and military influence. The U.S. Navy, led by Commodore George Dewey, quickly defeated the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in 1898, marking an early and decisive American victory in the war.

How did the Filipino people react during the initial US invasion of the Philippine islands?

During the initial U.S. invasion of the Philippine Islands, many Filipino people welcomed the Americans, believing they would help free them from Spanish rule and support their independence. Filipino revolutionary leader Emilio Aguinaldo even cooperated with U.S. forces at first. However, when it became clear that the United States intended to take control of the islands rather than grant independence, Filipino support turned to resistance, eventually leading to the bloody Philippine-American War.

What strategies were employed by the US in their invasion of Cuba?

In their invasion of Cuba during the Spanish-American War, the United States employed a combination of naval blockades, ground assaults, and support for Cuban insurgents. The U.S. Navy, led by Admiral William Sampson, blockaded key ports to cut off Spanish supplies. American troops, including the Rough Riders led by Theodore Roosevelt, conducted land campaigns such as the famous charge up San Juan Hill. Additionally, the U.S. collaborated with Cuban rebels to weaken Spanish defenses and gain local knowledge, ultimately leading to a swift victory over Spanish forces.

What justification did President William McKinley provide for annexing the Philippines?

President William McKinley justified the annexation of the Philippines by arguing that the United States had a duty to “civilize” and guide the islands, claiming that Filipinos were not yet capable of self-government. He framed the decision as both a moral responsibility and a strategic necessity, emphasizing the islands’ importance for trade and military presence in Asia. McKinley also argued that leaving the Philippines to other powers, such as Germany or Japan, would threaten American interests, presenting annexation as a way to ensure stability and protect U.S. influence.

How did the Filipino people react to the Treaty of Paris (1898)?

The Filipino people reacted with anger and disappointment to the Treaty of Paris (1898), which ended the Spanish-American War. Instead of gaining independence, the treaty transferred control of the Philippines from Spain to the United States. Many Filipinos, who had fought alongside Americans to oust the Spanish, felt betrayed and resisted American rule, leading to the outbreak of the Philippine-American War in 1899.

What is “Social Darwinism” and how was the concept used to justify the Spanish-American War?

Social Darwinism was the belief that human societies, like plants and animals, compete for survival and that stronger nations naturally dominate weaker ones. During the Spanish-American War, this idea was used to justify U.S. expansion by portraying the conquest of territories like the Philippines and Cuba as a natural and beneficial process. Advocates claimed that the United States, as a “superior” nation, had a duty to civilize and modernize other peoples, framing imperialism as both inevitable and morally justified.

How did this concept connect to the “White Man’s Burden?”

The concept of Social Darwinism connects to the “White Man’s Burden” because both ideas framed imperialism as a moral duty. While Social Darwinism emphasized the supposed superiority of stronger nations, the “White Man’s Burden” encouraged Americans and Europeans to see it as their responsibility to civilize and uplift “less advanced” peoples. Together, these beliefs were used to justify expansion and colonization, presenting domination over other nations as both natural and morally beneficial.

How did the Foraker Act establish governance in Puerto Rico?

The Foraker Act of 1900 established a civilian government in Puerto Rico after the island became a U.S. territory following the Spanish-American War. It created an appointed governor and executive council, both chosen by the U.S. president, while allowing Puerto Ricans to elect a lower legislative house. The act also granted limited self-government but kept ultimate authority with the United States, establishing a framework that controlled local affairs while maintaining American oversight.

How did the Platt Amendment establish a US presence in Cuba?

The Platt Amendment of 1901 established a U.S. presence in Cuba by restricting the island’s ability to make treaties, limiting its debt, and allowing the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs to protect its interests. It also granted the U.S. the right to maintain a naval base at Guantánamo Bay. Through these measures, the amendment ensured that Cuba remained under significant American influence while officially independent, effectively making it a U.S. protectorate.

How did China come to be carved into “spheres of influence” at the end of the 19th century?

At the end of the 19th century, China was carved into “spheres of influence” as foreign powers—including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Japan—exploited its political weakness and internal turmoil. These nations gained exclusive trading rights, control over ports, and influence over regional economies through unequal treaties and military pressure. China’s inability to resist foreign intrusion led to a fragmented system in which each power dominated specific areas, limiting Chinese sovereignty and fueling resentment that would later contribute to nationalist movements.

What were John Hay’s “Open Door Notes” and what did they call for in China?

John Hay’s “Open Door Notes,” issued in 1899 and 1900, were diplomatic letters sent to major powers with interests in China. They called for equal trading rights for all nations within China’s spheres of influence and emphasized the preservation of China’s territorial and administrative integrity. The notes aimed to prevent any single foreign power from monopolizing Chinese markets and ensured that the United States could participate in trade without resorting to colonization.

What was the Boxer Rebellion and how did the US and the international community respond?

The Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) was an anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising in China led by the “Boxers,” a nationalist group seeking to expel foreign influence. In response, the United States joined an international coalition of eight nations, including Britain, Japan, and Germany, to suppress the rebellion through military intervention. The foreign forces captured Beijing, ending the uprising, and imposed heavy indemnities on China. The U.S. used the rebellion to promote its “Open Door” policy, emphasizing equal trading rights and China’s territorial integrity.

How did Theodore Roosevelt win the Nobel Peace Prize?

Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in negotiating the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. Acting as a mediator between Russia and Japan, Roosevelt helped both nations reach a peaceful agreement, preventing further conflict in East Asia. His efforts demonstrated the United States’ emerging role as a global power capable of influencing international diplomacy and maintaining stability.

How did the United States acquire the land to build the Panama Canal?

The United States acquired the land to build the Panama Canal by supporting Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903. After Panama declared independence, the U.S. quickly signed the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty, securing control of the Panama Canal Zone. This agreement granted the United States the rights to construct, operate, and defend the canal, giving it a strategic and economic foothold to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary and how did it expand American diplomacy beyond the Monroe Doctrine?

The Roosevelt Corollary, announced in 1904, expanded the Monroe Doctrine by asserting that the United States had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and order. While the Monroe Doctrine originally warned European powers against colonization in the Americas, the Roosevelt Corollary justified U.S. intervention in regional conflicts or financial crises. This policy established the United States as a dominant power in the Western Hemisphere, using military and economic influence to protect its interests and prevent European involvement.

How did this corollary attack to Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Diplomacy?”

The Roosevelt Corollary was a key component of Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Diplomacy,” as it relied on the threat or use of military force to achieve U.S. goals in Latin America. By claiming the right to intervene in neighboring countries’ affairs to maintain stability, Roosevelt reinforced the idea that the United States would “speak softly but carry a big stick”—negotiating peacefully when possible, but backing diplomacy with the power to act decisively and assert control when necessary.

What was Dollar Diplomacy and why was it unsuccessful?

Dollar Diplomacy, promoted by President William Taft, aimed to use U.S. economic power—investments and loans—to influence Latin American and East Asian countries rather than relying on military force. The goal was to create stability and open markets while benefiting American businesses. However, it was largely unsuccessful because it often fostered resentment, led to political instability, and failed to protect U.S. investments. In many cases, local populations viewed it as economic imperialism, undermining both diplomacy and U.S. influence.

What did Woodrow Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy” entail by comparison?

Woodrow Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy” focused on promoting democratic values and human rights in foreign policy rather than pursuing military or economic domination. He aimed to support nations with democratic governments and discourage or refuse recognition of regimes he viewed as oppressive or corrupt. Unlike Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” or Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy, Wilson emphasized ethical principles and moral responsibility, though in practice, his administration still intervened militarily in countries like Mexico and Haiti when U.S. interests were at stake.

What were Banana Republics and how did fruit companies exert their influence in Latin America?

“Banana Republics” were politically unstable countries in Central America and the Caribbean whose economies and governments were heavily influenced—or controlled—by foreign fruit companies, especially U.S.-based ones like the United Fruit Company. These companies wielded power by investing in infrastructure, controlling exports, and sometimes bribing or pressuring local leaders to protect their business interests. Their influence often prioritized corporate profits over citizens’ welfare, leading to economic dependency, political corruption, and limited sovereignty in the affected nations.

What arguments were made by the Anti-Imperialism League for why imperialism was hypocritical?

The Anti-Imperialism League argued that imperialism was hypocritical because it contradicted the United States’ founding principles of self-determination and consent of the governed. Members claimed that acquiring territories like the Philippines violated the rights of the people living there, imposing U.S. control without their consent. They also warned that imperialism could entangle the nation in foreign conflicts, undermine democracy at home, and exploit other peoples for economic gain, all while undermining the ideals of freedom and liberty the U.S. claimed to uphold.