U.S. Imperialism & the Panama Canal

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and important concepts related to U.S. Imperialism, the Panama Canal, and significant events involved in the expansion of American influence.

Isolationism

The policy of staying out of world affairs.

Imperialism

Stronger nations dominating weaker ones economically, politically, culturally, and militarily.

Seward's Folly

The nickname given to the purchase of Alaska because many thought it was worthless.

Yellow Journalism

Sensational, exaggerated reporting used to gain American support for the Cuban cause.

Platt Amendment

A provision allowing the U.S. to intervene in Cuba and making it a U.S. protectorate.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

The agreement which ended the Spanish-American War, recognizing Cuban independence and ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S.

Dollar Diplomacy

William Howard Taft's policy of using American investment to exert influence abroad as an alternative to military force.

Big Stick Diplomacy

The foreign policy of Theodore Roosevelt, emphasizing the use of military force when necessary.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign uprising in China that opposed foreign influence and resulted in violence against foreigners.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty

The treaty granting the U.S. rights to build and control the Panama Canal.

Commonwealth Status

A political status in which a territory is self-governing but not a state, like Puerto Rico.

Mediated Peace

Negotiation efforts to resolve conflicts, as seen when Roosevelt mediated peace between Russia and Japan.

Admiral George Dewey

The American naval commander who destroyed the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in 1898.

Rough Riders

A volunteer cavalry regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War.

Emilio Aguinaldo

The leader of the Filipino rebellion against U.S. control.

Open Door Policy

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

Seward

Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia.

U.S. Protectorate

A state that is controlled and protected by a stronger country.

Culebra Hill

The highest hill that posed significant challenges during the construction of the Panama Canal.

Centralized Government System

The management structure established by the U.S. for the Panama Canal project, as opposed to the French private company approach.

1914

The year the Panama Canal officially opened.

1917

The year President Jimmy Carter signed the treaty to return the canal to Panama.

2016

The year new, larger locks were completed on the Panama Canal, doubling its capacity.