Unit 6 Flashcards

Isolationism

policy of avoiding foreign affairs

Imperialism

gaining control to extend power

Militarism

a strong military is needed

Social Darwinism

certain ranks are more superior

Alfred T. Mahan

naval officer who argued power

Humanitarian

individual who promotes human welfare

Yellow journalism

sensationalized news reports garnering attention

Insular Cases

series of cases about rights

Platt Amendment

law allowed US to intervene

Big Stick Diplomacy

foreign policy that emphasized military

Propaganda

used to influence the public

Unrestricted submarine warfare

naval strategy; submarines sunk ships

Zimmerman telegram

proposal from Germany to Mexico

What is Social Darwinism and how does someone that believes it view imperialism?

Belief that stronger nations dominate weaker ones; supporters see imperialism as natural and justified.

What is isolationism and how is it different from imperialism?

Avoiding foreign involvement; imperialism seeks expansion and control of other lands.

The victory of the U.S. in the Spanish-American War gave the U.S. access to what new territory?

Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

What are three causes of the Spanish-American War?

Yellow journalism, sinking of the USS Maine, and Cuban revolt against Spain.

What is yellow journalism and why would it be used?

Exaggerated news to attract readers and influence public opinion.

What did Teddy Roosevelt’s slogan “Speak softly and carry a big stick” mean?

Use diplomacy but back it with strong military power.

What are four territories the US gains control of after the Spanish-American war

Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines, and Cuba (as a U.S. protectorate).

What is meant by the “Open Door Policy” of the United States of the late 1800s?

Equal trade access for all nations in China.

How did the U.S. gain control of the land used to build the Panama Canal?

Supported Panama’s independence from Colombia, then gained canal rights.

How does World War I impact the economy of the United States?

Boosted industry, trade, and economic growth.

Why did Woodrow Wilson’s “He kept us out of war!” slogan help him win the election of 1916?

Many Americans wanted to avoid war.

Posters depicting Germans as ferocious beasts or propaganda encouraging rationing during the war would likely be the work of what organization?

Committee on Public Information

Why was the League of Nations not able to be successful?

Lacked support and enforcement power, and the U.S. never joined.

Why did the Senate reject the Versailles Treaty (1919)?

Fear it would drag the U.S. into future wars.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points were flawed because they failed to do what?

Prevent future conflicts effectively.

What did the American public learn from the Zimmerman Telegram?

Germany tried to get Mexico to ally against the U.S.

Which act of Congress during this time prohibits people from being too critical of the government?

Sedition Act.

How did the relationship between the U.S. and Latin America change during this period?

U.S. became more interventionist and dominant.

How did the U.S. dominance of Latin American affairs significantly change the region’s geography?

Panama became an independent country.

What was President Wilson’s biggest challenge after World War I erupted in Europe?

Keeping the U.S. neutral.

What organization created posters to try to convince Americans to believe a certain way?

Committee on Public Information

What caused imperialism to grow popular in the U.S?

Economic interests, military power, and belief in superiority.

Why did anti-imperialists of the 1890s oppose U.S. acquisition of an empire?

Believed it was immoral and against American ideals.

What three events caused the U.S. to become involved in World War I?

Unrestricted submarine warfare, Zimmermann Telegram, and economic ties to Allies.

What groups became frustrated by the Senate debate on the Versailles treaty?

Internationalists and supporters of the League of Nations.

Describe US motivations for shifting to a foreign policy of imperialism in the late 1800s.

Desire for new markets, resources, military strength, and global power.

Explain the U.S. policy towards involvement in World War I and evaluate how successful the U.S. was in maintaining this policy.

Stayed neutral at first but eventually entered the war, so only partly successful.

Identify and explain the reasons the U.S. Congress rejected both the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations in negotiating the peace that ended World War I.

Concerns over sovereignty, fear of future wars, and opposition to the League of Nations.