Topic 7.2 Imperialism: Debates- Flashcards

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to American Imperialism from 1890 to 1945.

American Expansionism

The policy of territorial or economic expansion by the United States.

Manifest Destiny

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

Social Darwinism

A theory that applied the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, suggesting that strong nations had a natural right to dominate weaker ones.

Pearl Harbor

A strategically important naval port in Hawaii leased by the U.S. government starting in 1887.

President William McKinley

The U.S. President who authorized the annexation of Hawaii in 1898.

Queen Liliuokalani

The last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, overthrown in 1893.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

A U.S. Naval Captain who advocated for a strong navy and wrote "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History" in 1890.

Berlin Conference

A meeting in 1884 where European powers divided Africa into territories without regard for indigenous cultures.

Anti-Imperialist League

A coalition formed in 1899 opposing American imperialism, composed of various influential figures.

'Jingoes'

Expansionists who believed that a robust foreign policy could resolve domestic conflicts.

Economic Justification for Imperialism

The pursuit of new markets and raw materials to support industrial growth and economic expansion.

Self-Determination

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

Who were some notable members of the American Anti-Imperialist League?

Members included Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, and William James.

What was the stance of the American Anti-Imperialist League towards the Philippines?

They opposed the annexation of the Philippines, believing that it was unjust to govern another country without its consent.