America Builds an Empire STEM ECHS

Foreign Policy

A nation's overall plan for dealing with other nations

Spanish American War

War fought between the US and Spain in Cuba and the Philippines. It lasted 4 months and resulted in Cuba's independence as well as the US annexing Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Joseph Pulitzer

Creator of the "New York World;" featured yellow journalism sensationalizing the news to sell papers.

William Randolph Hearst

United States newspaper publisher whose introduction of large headlines and sensational stories created yellow journalism. Created the "New York Journal"

Yellow Journalism

Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations, attract readers, and sell newspapers. Helped start the Spanish American War.

De Lome Letter

Spanish Ambassador's letter that was published by American newspapers. It criticized President McKinley in insulting terms. Used by war hawks as a pretext for war with Spain in 1898.

U.S.S. Maine

Start of the Spanish-American war; exploded off the coast of Cuba and it was blamed on Spanish torpedoes; heightened by yellow journalists. "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain."

Theodore Roosevelt

President, known for: conservationism, trust-busting, safe food regulations, "Square Deal," & Panama Canal. His Corollary to the Monroe doctrine justified U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, socially, and economically.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

a United States Navy officer, geostrategist, and educator. His ideas on the importance of sea power influenced navies around the world, and helped prompt naval buildups before World War I. Several ships were named USS Mahan, including the lead vessel of a class of destroyers. His research into naval History led to his most important work, The Influence of Seapower Upon History,1660-1783, published in 1890

Platt Amendment

Prevented newly independent Cuba from making treaties with other nations and gave the US control over Guantanamo Bay.

Queen Liliuokalani

A queen of Hawaii and the successor to King Kalakaua (who gave most control to the businessmen in Hawaii through a new constitution) that highly opposed control of Hawaii by the U.S. and wanted to keep the islands mainly native, reducing the power of merchants from foreign nations.

Sandford B. Dole

Leader of coup that overthrew queen Liliuokalani; later the Governor of Hawaii. His family established a large pineapple company.

Open Door Policy

A policy proposed by the US in 1899, under which ALL nations would have equal opportunities to trade in China.

Boxer Rebellion

1899 rebellion in Beijing, China started by a secret society of Chinese who opposed the "foreign devils". The rebellion was ended by American troops from the Philippines.

Panama Canal

Construction greatly shortened the sea voyage between the east and west coasts of North America, helping to move trade and naval forces quicker. The United States acquired the land by helping Panama become independent from Colombia. Diseases spread by mosquitoes killed many workers.

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

Justified American intervention in Latin American affairs in order to keep the European powers out of the area. The United States used this policy and intervened in the affairs of several Latin American countries, mainly through military or economic intervention.

Dollar Diplomacy

Term used to describe the efforts of the US to further its foreign policy through use of economic power. Wanted colonies so that businesses could secure new markets.

Moral Diplomacy

Woodrow Wilson's idea of the United States' moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government that was viewed as hostile to American interests.

Commodore Perry

After arriving with a fleet of warships, he gets Japan to open ports to America. Helps to end Japanese isolation.

Puerto Rico

The U.S. gained it from Spain as a result of the Spanish-American War. Strategically located in the Caribbean to protect the Panama Canal.

The Philippines

Annexed by the United States after the Spanish American War. Located near China, it led to new trade with Asia.

Hawaii

Annexed in 1898 after the overthrow of the government. Strategically located for shipping routes to Asia. Pearl Harbor was used for a Naval base.

Imperialists

People who support the policy of their nation acquiring, controlling, or dominating another territory.

Anti-Imperialists

People who were against Imperialism; they believed that it was against our Constitution (we are taking over free countries, when we ourselves wanted our own freedom).

Alaska

Purchased from Russia in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry force that fought in Cuba. Were recruited by Theodore Roosevelt from throughout the United States, and consisted mainly of young adventurous men. They defeated the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba.

Moorefield Storey

Leading member the anti-imperialists league

Spheres of Influence

Areas where a large powerful country enjoys special privileges. European countries had divided China in regions where they enjoyed special privileges. These where their spheres of influence. Latin American was considered to be part of the United State sphere of influence, and justified American intervention in the region.

John Hay

Was the Secretary of State in 1899; dispatched the Open Door Notes to keep the countries that had spheres of influence in China from taking over China and closing the doors on trade between China and the U.S.

Pancho Villa

A Mexican revolutionary leader of the twentieth century. He was defeated in the struggle for the presidency of Mexico after the Mexican Revolution of 1910 and was eventually assassinated. At one point, Villa raided a town in New Mexico, hoping to embarrass his opposition back home. The United States sent troops under General John Pershing in pursuit of Villa, and the United States and Mexico nearly went to war.

Watchful waiting

Policy by Woodrow Wilson of rejecting alliances with leaders who took control through force until a determination of their interests could be mad

Big Stick Policy

Roosevelt's philosophy - In international affairs, ask first but bring along a big army to help convince them. Threaten to use force, act as international policemen