Imperialism Era 7A

1. The Influence of Sea Power Upon History – Alfred T. Mahan

The book that said: “Want to be powerful? Build boats.” 🚢🔥
Mahan argued that strong nations have strong navies + overseas bases to refuel them. His ideas pushed the U.S. toward imperialism and building up its navy before 1898. Basically: islands = Buc-ee’s for ships.

2. Queen Liliuokalani / Annexation of Hawaii

Hawaii’s last queen who said “Hawaii for Hawaiians!” 🌺
American sugar businessmen didn’t love that, overthrew her in 1893, and pushed for U.S. annexation. By 1898, Hawaii became U.S. territory. Imperialism unlocked.

3. Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated, dramatic, lowkey fake news 📰🔥.
Newspapers printed wild stories about Spanish cruelty in Cuba to sell papers and stir up war fever. Led to major jingoism (aka “Let’s fight!!!”).

4. USS Maine

The ship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898 💥.
Probably an accident… but Americans blamed Spain anyway. “Remember the Maine!” became the war cry that launched the Spanish-American War.

5. Rough Riders & San Juan Hill

Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt 🐴.
They charged up San Juan Hill in Cuba and Roosevelt became a national war hero. Media coverage turned him into the ultimate patriotic icon.

6. Platt Amendment (1903)

Cuba was “independent”… but not really 😬.
The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs and got Guantanamo Bay for a naval base. Basically independence with supervision.

7. Anti-Imperialist League

Founded in 1899 to say “this is NOT what the Declaration stood for.” 📜
Members like Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie opposed annexing the Philippines. They thought imperialism contradicted American values.

9. Open Door Policy (1899)

America said: “Hey Europe, let us trade in China too.” 🇨🇳🚪
Secretary of State John Hay demanded equal trade access in China. China didn’t regain control — but everyone could trade there.

10. Boxer Rebellion (1900)

Chinese nationalist uprising to kick foreigners out 😤.
Killed over 200 foreigners. U.S.-led coalition crushed the rebellion and kept trade open. Imperialism stays undefeated.

11. Theodore Roosevelt

War hero turned progressive president 🦅.
Trustbuster, conservationist, “Square Deal” guy. Also believed America should act like a world power and wasn’t afraid to flex military strength.

12. Panama Canal

Shortcut between the Atlantic & Pacific 🌎✂.
Colombia said no to the canal deal, so Panama (with U.S. support) declared independence. The U.S. built and controlled the canal by 1914. Trade = faster. U.S. power = bigger.

13. Big Stick Diplomacy

“Speak softly and carry a big stick.” 🪵
Roosevelt believed in negotiating peacefully — but making sure everyone knew the U.S. military was strong enough to back it up.

14. Roosevelt Corollary (1904)

Add-on to the Monroe Doctrine 🛑.
If Latin American countries couldn’t stay stable or pay debts, the U.S. would intervene. America becomes the “policeman” of the Western Hemisphere.

15. Great White Fleet (1907)

Roosevelt sent shiny white battleships around the world 🌍🚢 to show off U.S. naval power — especially to Japan.
Message: “We’re not isolationist anymore.”