American Imperialism Flashcards

Flashcards about American Imperialism

What economic problem threatened the U.S. in the late 1800s?

Overproduction due to industrialization and technology.

What solution did business and political leaders find for the economic problem of overproduction?

Captive foreign markets acquired through imperialism.

Define Imperialism.

A system where a powerful nation controls a less powerful region economically, politically, militarily, and culturally.

Name four motivations behind imperialism.

Economic, military, political, cultural, and religious motivations.

Define Annexation.

Adding a new territory to an existing country, usually by force.

What Secretary of State bought Alaska from Russia?

Secretary of State Seward

What treaty in 1854 involved Japan?

The Treaty of Kanagawa

What happened in Hawaii in 1893?

Hawaiian rulers were overthrown by private landowners.

What resource made Latin American countries good investments?

Relatively undeveloped and independent from Spain.

What was the United Fruit Company (UFC)?

A U.S. company that dominated the economic and political institutions of Central America.

What are Banana Republics?

Latin American countries controlled by the United Fruit Company as puppets of U.S. economic interests.

Who wrote 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History'?

Alfred T. Mahan

What senator was essential to earning legislative support & protection for expansion?

Henry Cabot Lodge

Define Jingoist.

Extreme patriotism calling for violence against outsiders

How did cultural leaders justify U.S. expansion?

Arguing that the U.S. had a superior culture and race, per Social Darwinism.

Who advocated U.S. expansion to spread religion & values?

Rev. Josiah Strong, inspired by Our Country (1885)

What contradicted popular support for Imperialism?

A long tradition of isolationism.

Why did the American public gradually come to support expansionism?

Due to the promise of a strong economy through foreign markets.