Introduction to American Imperialism

What is Manifest Destiny?

The popular belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the North American continent

What is expansionism?

A policy of territorial or economic expansion

What is isolationism?

A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other countries

What is imperialism?

A policy by which stronger nations expand their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories

What is an empire?

A group of countries that is controlled by the strongest country in the group

What are colonies?

Countries under the full or partial control of another country

What is the Sphere of Influence?

A country in which another country has power to affect developments, although it has no formal authority

What are economic motives?

The desire for wealth and profit, driven by the need for resources, new markets, and trade opportunities

What are military motives?

The various reasons countries use or threaten military force to achieve their national objectives

What are cultural motives?

Shared values, beliefs, and behaviors within a country that influence individual and group actions

What is Social Darwinism?

The theory that individuals, groups, and peoples are subject to the same Darwinian laws of natural selection as plants and animals; survival of the fittest, which countries used to justify imperialism

What is White Man’s Burden?

The idea that white Western nations had a duty to civilize non-white people around the world

Who is Charles Darwin?

A British naturalist and biologist best known for developing the theory of evolution by natural selection

What is European imperialism?

The policy of European nations expanding their power and influence over other regions through colonization, military force, and economic domination

What is the American Foreign Policy Shift?

A shift in how the U.S. interacts with other countries, driven by major global events, changes in leadership, or changes in domestic/international priorities

What is emerging world power?

A nation with a growing economy and increasing global influence, often challenging established powers in areas like economics, military capability, or geopolitics