[US History, S1] Unit 3: America as a World Power

Imperialism

The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.

Imperialism Around the Globe

Nations rivaling for territorial expansion and influence, particularly evident in Africa during the late 19th century. Japan also competed with European nations for China.

Independent African Countries

By the early 20th century, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent from European control in Africa.

Military Strength (Imperialism Factor #1)

Desire to build global military power, specifically the navy. Caused the US to build battleships like the Maine and Oregon.

Third Largest Navy

The status achieved by the US as it expanded its naval forces.

Thirst for New Markets (Imperialism Factor #2)

The American pursuit of new markets for products and raw materials to address overproduction and economic issues.

Foreign Trade

Trade with other nations - viewed as a solution to American overproduction, unemployment, and economic depression.

Cultural Superiority (Imperialism Factor #3)

The belief in the superiority of Anglo-Saxon culture, often justified by Social Darwinism.

Responsibility to Spread Civilization

The belief that stronger nations had a duty to spread Christianity and civilization to 'inferior people.'

Alaska

The acquisition of Alaska by the US in 1867 for $7.2 million from Russia, initially deemed 'Seward's Folly' because it felt useless. Became a state in 1959.

Hawaii

Hawaii was proclaimed a US territory in 1898, without a vote from the Hawaiian people, becoming a state in 1959. It was used for military purposes (Pearl Harbor)

Sugar Cane Industry

The valuable sugar cane industry in Hawaii was negatively impacted by the McKinley Tariff.

Queen Liliuokalani

The last monarch of Hawaii before its annexation by the US. She was eventually overthrown and put on house arrest.

Sanford B. Dole

The leader of the new government in Hawaii, who became the 'President of Hawaii.'

Treaty of Kanagawa

Treaty between the US and Japan that forced the Japanese to open two ports to the US in 1853. Negotiated with warships under Commodore Matthew C. Perry.

Sovereignty

When a state or group of people have the ability to govern themselves (as opposed to being controlled by an external authority/country). Also known as self-government.

Annexation

When one country takes control of another country's territory, often forcibly.

Committee of Safety

Group of Americans that overthrew the Hawaiian Monarchy

How the US Government contributed to the annexation of Hawaii

Revoked their no tariff on sugar cane policy for Hawaii, causing sugar cane plantation owners to want Hawaii to join the US so they don't get taxed.

The Bayonet Constitution

A constitution King Kalakaua was forced to sign which severely restricted his power and deprived native Hawaiians of the right to vote.

Grover Cleveland's special envoy's role against the Annexation of Hawaii

He investigated the practices that were going on in Hawaii, condemned them and wanted the Queen reinstated.

Grover Cleveland's role against the Annexation of Hawaii

He passed a potential operation to reinstate the Queen to Congress, where it ended.

Robert Wilcox

Led a covert operation to reinstate the Queen, which failed.

Economic causes of Hawaiian Annexation

Sugar cane plantation owners didn't want their sugar cane to be taxed, so they wanted it to become a state, leading them to try to overthrow the monarchy.

Political causes of Hawaiian Annexation

The provisional government unofficially set up in Hawaii wanted to control it + to overthrow the Queen. The US also wanted a military base at Pearl Harbor.

Sociocultural causes of Hawaiian Annexation

The white plantations owners felt that their culture was better than the Hawaiians, causing them to think they should be in charge.

Spanish Colonies before the SPAM War

Philippines, Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, misc. colonies in Africa

Reason America wants Cuba

Cuba's Sugar Cane Plantations

Jose Marti

Cuban poet that lived in New York that led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Spanish

Valeriano Weyler

General sent to Cuba to crush the rebellion, utilized concentration camps for citizens as a military strategy

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated journalism used to get people to feel a certain way, in the case of the SPAM War, to get people to support Cuba's independence

Hearst

Newspaper owner that promoted US involvement in the Cuban rebellion

President McKinley's opinion on Cuba

Believed that they should settle the rebellion through diplomatic means

Spanish Withdrawals as a result of McKinley's diplomacy

The Spanish recalled General Weyler, ending his concentration camp strategy

The de Lome Letter

Letter written by a Spanish diplomat that criticized McKinley's inability to intervene, contributed to the SPAM War by infuriating Americans

USS Maine

US naval ship sent to Cuba to bring back Americans in danger from the war; its sinking led many to suspect Spanish involvement, directly led to the SPAM war

Admiral George Dewey + involvement in the Battle of Manila Bay

The admiral won the Battle of Manila Bay, annexing the Philippines for the US

Use of the Navy in the SPAM War

Created naval blockades around Cuba, supplemented for a lack of ground troops

Teddy Roosevelt/his Rough Riders + their contribution to the SPAM War

Volunteer cavalry unit that contributed to many victories in Cuba; won the Battle of Santiago and San Juan Hill

Battle of San Juan Hill

Strategically important spot in Cuba that, when won by the Rough Riders, allowed for an invasion of Puerto Rico

Treaty of Paris

Treaty that ended the SPAM War; Puerto Rico + Guam are given to the US, along with the Philippines for $20M; Cuba becomes semi-independent

Filipino Reaction to the Treaty of Paris

Immediately launched a rebellion against the US, raised questions about imperialism

Countries with Exclusive Trading Rights to certain parts of China

Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia

John Hay + his Open Door Notes

Created the "Open Door Notes"; policy that guaranteed equal trading rights for all countries with China - prevented discrimination within individual spheres of influence + monopolies

"Fists of Righteous Harmony" + the Boxer Rebellion

"Boxers" that attempted to expel foreigners out of China, led a rebellion that eventually failed with significant resistance; killed many foreigners, attacked them in the Forbidden City

Alfred T. Mahan

Author who argued for a strong US navy + acquisition of island nations to support it; contributed to the development of the US's navy

Puerto Rico + US's involvement

Like a protectorate; controlled to maintain a US presence in the Caribbean, protecting the Panama Canal; SPAM war impacted their relationship

Foraker Act

Act that gave the US control over Puerto Rico's government, being able to elect a governor + upper house members

Cuba + US's involvement

Like a protectorate; controlled to maintain American business investment; certain protests did damage their relationship with the US

Teller Amendment

Statement that the US wanted Cuba to be independent, not controlled by the US

Platt Amendment

Legislation that limited Cuban rights by:
1) Prohibiting them from making treaties that limit their own independence;
2) Allowing the US to intervene in Cuba;
3) Not allowing the gov. to go into unrepayable debt;
4) Giving the US the ability to buy/lease land for naval refueling stations; was in effect for 31 years

Protectorate

Semi-independent countries controlled by another country

The Philippines + US's involvement

Annexed by the US; controlled to supply the US with raw materials + proximity to China; a rebellion severely damaged their relationship with the US; gained independence in 1946

China + US's involvement

Viewed as a market for the US; desired for abundant resources; Boxer Rebellion severely affected their relationship with the US

Emilio Aguinaldo

Led Filipino rebellion after annexation, cost the US a significant amount of money

Beveridge

Senator that believed God controlled America's Destiny - their right to spread civilization to less developed areas, would "bring them prosperity"

Teddy's Roosevelt's view on Imperial Powers

TR did not want imperial powers to control the world's political + economic destiny

Russo-Japanese War

War between Russia and Japan; TR resolved it, winning him a Nobel Peace Prize

Treaty of Portsmouth

Treaty that said Japan gets half of Sakhalin Island, and Russia lets Japan take over Russian interest in Manchuria/Korea

Panama Canal

Canal created during TR's presidency that significantly reduced travel time of commercial and military ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific; the US built it, controlling it until the late 20th century

Roosevelt Corollary

Policy created as a result of Roosevelt having concerns about Latin American countries defaulting on European loans; wanted the US to be the dominant power in the area, referencing the Monroe Doctrine

Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy

US would try to settle things with diplomacy, but have their military on hand

Taft + his Dollar Diplomacy

Roosevelt's successor, guaranteed loans to Latin American countries as a replacement to dangerous European ones, essentially continued TR's policy

WW + his Moral/Missionary Diplomacy

WW believed the US had the moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American country seen as oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to US interest (e.g. Mexico)

Mexican Revolution (extremely long flashcard fyi)

Revolution where Peasants and workers rise up, overthrow Diaz. Madero, leader of the peasants/workers is killed. Gen Huerta takes over, but the US doesn't recognize them. In part of this, Huerta's regime collapses. When Carranza becomes leader, WW recognizes them, but rebels under Pancho Villa & Zapata rebel against him. They become anti-American, shooting an American on a train. The US holds Villa responsible, with Wilson ordering Gen Pershing to capture or kill Villa. Eventually, however, their intrusion is resented by Mexico, leading them to back down. (TLDR: many leaders come and go, where America's recognition of them affects their ability to govern, often leading to their collapse)

Three Goals of American Diplomacy

1) Expand access to foreign markets to assure growth of the economy;
2) Build modern navy to protect interest abroad;
3) Exercise international police power to ensure dominance in Latin America