Weiss Age of Imperialism Test

Yellow Journalism:

A style of journalism that came into fruition as a result of competition in media circuits, Pulitzer and Hearst were known for using this style. 

Imperialism

Where stronger nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations - economically, politically, or militarily. AKA expansionism. Many Americans debate whether or not the USA should begin to expand their empire beyond their border. 

Jingoism

Within the Republican Party, jingoism, or an attitude of aggressive nationalism, was very strong, especially among younger members of the party. 

Teller Amendment

Guaranteed the independence of Cuba. 

Rough Riders

A calvary group organized by Theodore Roosevelt made up of volunteers, cowboys, miners, policemen, and college athletes, Colonel Leonard Wood commanded them.

American military problems in Cuba

An unprepared U.S. Army and Navy for overseas combat, logistical failures in supplying a large volunteer force, and the deployment of a military that was not fully experienced.

American public’s opinion of our presidents desired neutrality

During the Age of Imperialism, many Americans opposed the president’s desire for neutrality, as growing nationalism and sensationalist media pushed the public to support expansion and involvement in foreign conflicts like the Spanish-American War.

Negative Statements about President Mckinley

 “no more backbone than a chocolate éclair.”

President Cleveland’s and McKinley's position on war

During the initial uprising president Cleveland vowed neutrality between Spain and Cuba. McKinley does not want war. The economy was good and war would cost American lives

Cuba prior to 1886:

Cuba was one of Spain’s oldest colonies in the Americas. Cuba’s sugar cane plantations consistently generated wealth for Spain, unfortunately for the Cubans most of them were enslaved by the Spanish until 1886.

Demands made for the Spanish to avoid war

To avoid war, the United States demanded that Spain end its harsh treatment of Cubans, grant Cuba independence or at least self-government, and agree to a ceasefire.

The battle of the Philippines

The initial action of the war took place in the Pacific in the Philippines, another Spanish owned territory.

The Treaty of Paris

Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines became American possessions.

Main focus for the Spanish American War:

The main focus of the Spanish-American War was to free Cuba from Spanish rule and establish the United States as a global power.

Explosion of the Maine:

The USS Maine exploded and the press blames Spain. The Maine blew up based on an overwhelming amount of artillery on the ship.

Jose Marti:

Jose Marti was one of the exiled leaders who had a tremendous passion to gain Cuban independence. Marti while living in NYC brought many Cuban exiles together and began to raise money to support a new revolt.  Many Americans sympathized with Marti’s dilemma and vowed to help him out.

Enrique Dupuy de lome:

Spanish ambassador who wrote a descriptive letter about McKinley that describes him as weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd. America erupted into anger and Dupuy was forced to resign. 

Theodore Roosevelt:

New York governor, former vice president, turned president after President McKinley’s assasination. Organized the “Rough Riders” and became a folk hero as a result of the Spanish-American War. 

General Valeriano Weyler:

The general who governed Cuba, harsh policies earning him the nickname, The Butcher. Tried to stop Cuban revolts by placing them in concentration camps.

Panama Canal

Purpose: Connect Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; major route for international trade.

• Difficulties: Labor troubles, landslides, yellow fever, and poor sanitation.

• French Effort: Failed after 10 years in the 1880s.

• Hay–Pauncefote Treaty (1901): Gave the U.S. the right to build and control the canal.

• Panama’s Independence: U.S. supported Panama’s revolt against Colombia; gained permission to build the canal.

Causes of the Spanish American War:

• Cuba’s Struggle for Independence: Cuba was one of Spain’s oldest colonies; enslaved until 1886 and exploited for sugar plantations.

• U.S. Sympathy: Americans supported Cuban revolutionaries due to outrage over Spanish concentration camps, fear for U.S. trade routes, sympathy for Cuban patriots, and Yellow Journalism.

• Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized stories by Pulitzer and Hearst exaggerated Spanish cruelty, fueling public anger.

• De Lôme Letter: Spanish ambassador Enrique Dupuy de Lôme insulted President McKinley as weak — increased U.S. outrage.

• Explosion of the USS Maine (1898): The ship exploded in Havana Harbor; U.S. press blamed Spain, pushing America toward war.

Boxer Rebellion:

The Boxer Rebellion was a violent uprising in China (1899–1901) where a secret group called the "Boxers" sought to expel foreign influence and missionaries, leading to international military intervention.

Queen Liluokalani

King Kalakaua’s sister, and in 1891 she took the throne. She did not agree with American intervention in the region as she was a strong nationalist.

Sanford B. Dole

U.S. Marines sent him to overthrow the Queen. He did and proclaimed Hawaii as a republic of the U.S.

Roosevelt Corollary

Document that stated we would intervene with Latin-American affairs when necessary to maintain economic and political stability in the western hemisphere.

Dollar Diplomacy

Substitute dollars for bullets. Economic instead of military. Make people reliant on our economy.

Teddy as VP:

Theodore Roosevelt's brief time as Vice President was uneventful and unwanted by both himself and Republican party bosses.

Election of 1900

William McKinley vs. Wilham Jennings Bryan. McKinley wanted to build off of American Prosperity. Bryan was anti-imperialist and attacked McKinley’s desire to dominate the world.

Assassination of Mckinley

A crazed gunman named Leon Czolgosz fired two shots and hit the president. McKinley died a few days later

Republicans on Teddy

Supported because of his charisma, but feared his presidency. “Now look at that damn cowboy who is president of the U.S.”

Teddy’s goals as president:

Theodore Roosevelt's main goal as president was to ensure a "Square Deal" for all Americans. His domestic agenda, which was a core part of the Progressive Era, was built on three major goals, often called the "three C's"

John Hay:

Secretary of State from 1898 to 1905 and advocating for the expansion of American influence overseas. He is best known for the "Open Door Policy" in China, which aimed to ensure equal trading rights for all nations.

Most controversial event of the Spanish American War

Acquisition of the Philippines.

Hay Pauncefote Treaty

Step towards the building of the Panama Canal allowed the U.S. to take necessary measures for its defense, unlike the previous treaty which required a joint British and American guarantee.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino Nationalist who led the insurrection against both Spanish and American rule.

Platt Amendment

Virtual right to intervene in Cuba.

Russo-Japanese War:

The Russo-Japanese War, fought between 1904 and 1905, was a significant conflict rooted in the imperial ambitions of Russia and Japan over territories in the Far East, particularly Korea and Manchuria.

Battle of Santiago:

Saw the entire Spanish fleet destroyed.

Gentlemen’s Agreement:

A "gentlemen's agreement" is an informal, unwritten understanding between parties that relies on their honor and integrity rather than legal enforceability.

Venezuela Boundary dispute:

The Venezuela boundary dispute is a classic example of 19th-century imperialism, stemming from unresolved borders between Venezuelan claims and British Guiana (now Guyana) following its independence from Spain.

Grover Cleveland on Hawaii:

Grover Cleveland strongly opposed the annexation of Hawaii and considered the 1893 overthrow of its monarchy illegal.

Essay: Causes of the Spanish American War

-Cuban Struggle for Independence: Americans sympathized with Cubans fighting against Spanish rule.
-Yellow Journalism: Exaggerated stories about Spanish cruelty increased U.S. anger and support for war.
-USS Maine Explosion (1898): The ship blew up in Havana Harbor; Americans blamed Spain, fueling war fever.
-Economic Interests: The U.S. wanted to protect trade and investments in Cuba.
- Nationalism & Public Pressure: Many Americans pushed for action to defend national honor and help Cuba.
- Result: The U.S. declared war on Spain, marking the nation’s emergence as a world power