Study Guide- Woodrow Wilson

Explain ONE economic, ONE strategic and ONE ideological reason why the US embraced Imperialism in the late 19th century.

Economic:
The U.S. wanted new markets and raw materials for its growing industries.

Strategic:
The U.S. wanted naval bases and global power to protect trade.

Ideological:
Americans believed it was their duty to spread democracy and civilization.

Explain how the outcome of the Spanish American War changed US foreign policy.

The Spanish-American War made the U.S. a world power with overseas territories. After the war, the U.S. shifted from isolationism to imperialism.

Presidents’ Foreign Policies

McKinley:
McKinley supported imperialism and led the U.S. during the Spanish-American War.

Theodore Roosevelt:
Roosevelt used military power to protect U.S. interests abroad.

Taft:
Taft used economic investment to increase U.S. influence.

Wilson:
Wilson believed the U.S. should promote democracy and morality.

Big Stick policy

The Big Stick Policy meant the U.S. would use force if needed.

Example:
The U.S. built the Panama Canal and intervened in Latin America.

Dollar Diplomacy

Dollar Diplomacy used American money instead of military force.

Example:
The U.S. invested in Latin American and Chinese economies.

Moral Diplomacy

Moral Diplomacy promoted democracy and opposed immoral governments.

Example:
Wilson intervened in Mexico to oppose a dictator.

Was it moral?
Wilson’s actions often contradicted his moral goals.

Mexico

The U.S. intervened during the Mexican Revolution and chased Pancho Villa.

Panama/Colombia:

The U.S. helped Panama gain independence to build the canal.

Cuba:

The U.S. controlled Cuba’s affairs through the Platt Amendment.

Western Hemisphere:

The U.S. acted as a police power under the Roosevelt Corollary.

Japan

The U.S. limited Japanese immigration and improved relations.

Philippines

The U.S. took control after the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War:

The war began over Cuba and made the U.S. an empire.

China:

The U.S. supported the Open Door Policy for equal trade.

Africa

The great migration

Neutrality to War

The U.S. tried to remain neutral at first.
Unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram pushed the U.S. into war.

Food Administration:

The Food Administration encouraged food conservation.

Fuel Administration:

The Fuel Administration managed coal and oil use.