Unit 7 A Early 20th Century 1890-1920

Imperialism

A policy of extending control over weaker nations.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

Social Darwinism

The application of the idea of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, used to justify imperialism and inequality.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

U.S. Naval Captain and author of 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History,' advocating for a powerful navy and overseas expansion.

Anti-Imperialist League

A coalition formed in 1899 to oppose American imperialism and expansion.

Self-Determination

The principle that nations have the right to govern themselves without external interference.

Treaty of Paris 1898

The treaty that ended the Spanish-American War, resulting in the United States acquiring Guam, Puerto Rico, and paying $20 million for the Philippines.

Insular Cases

Supreme Court cases that determined whether the Constitution applied to territories acquired by the U.S.

Platt Amendment

A 1903 amendment that outlined the role of the U.S. in Cuba, allowing intervention and establishing a naval base.

Open Door Policy

A U.S. policy proposing equal trading rights for all nations in China.

Roosevelt Corollary

Addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating that the U.S. would intervene in Latin America to maintain stability.

Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft's policy of using economic power to influence foreign relations.

Muckrakers

Journalists of the Progressive Era who exposed corruption and social injustices.

Australian Ballot

A voting method that allows for private voting, implemented to prevent manipulation by political parties.

Direct election of U.S. Senators

The process established by the 17th Amendment allowing citizens to vote directly for their senators.

19th Amendment

Ratified in 1920, it granted women the right to vote.

MAIN causes of World War I

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism that contributed to the outbreak of the war.

Zimmermann Telegram

A secret diplomatic communication from Germany proposing a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S.

Fourteen Points

Woodrow Wilson's proposals for peace after World War I, emphasizing self-determination and the League of Nations.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended World War I, imposing heavy reparations on Germany.

Espionage Act

A 1917 law that prohibited interference with military operations or support of U.S. enemies during wartime.

Schenck v. United States

A Supreme Court case that upheld the Espionage Act, ruling that free speech could be limited in wartime.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism and radicalism in America during the early 20th century.

Great Migration

The movement of over 500,000 African Americans from the rural South to urban North for jobs during World War I.