Imperialism and U.S. Foreign Policy: Key Terms and Events Study Guide

Imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation extends its political, economic, or military control over weaker territories.

Protectorate

A country or territory whose foreign and domestic policies are partially controlled by a stronger power (e.g., Cuba under the Platt Amendment).

Annexation

Officially adding a territory to an existing country or nation (e.g., U.S. annexation of Hawaii in 1898).

Social Darwinist

Someone who believed 'survival of the fittest' applied to human societies, justifying strong nations dominating weaker ones.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized, exaggerated, or dramatic newspaper reporting used to attract readers and influence public opinion.

White Man's Burden

The belief that Western imperial powers had a moral obligation to civilize non-Western populations.

Sphere of Influence

An area where an outside nation claims exclusive trading and economic privileges (e.g., European powers in China).

Open Door Policy

U.S. proposal urging equal trading rights and open markets for all foreign nations in China.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy of negotiating peacefully while threatening the use of strong military force.

Roosevelt Corollary

Expansion of the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S. claimed the right to intervene as an international police power in Latin America.

Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft's policy of using economic investments and loans to expand U.S. foreign influence.

William Randolph Hearst & Joseph Pulitzer

Rival newspaper publishers who used Yellow Journalism to incite American public outrage against Spain prior to 1898.

President William McKinley

U.S. President during the Spanish-American War who authorized the annexation of Hawaii and acquisition of overseas territories.

President Theodore Roosevelt

President associated with Big Stick Diplomacy, the Roosevelt Corollary, and securing the Panama Canal Zone.

President William Howard Taft

President associated with Dollar Diplomacy, utilizing financial power rather than direct military force.

Annexation of Hawaii (1898)

American sugar planters overthrew Queen Liliuokalani, and the U.S. officially added Hawaii for trade and a strategic naval base.

Sinking of the USS Maine (1898)

Battleship explosion in Havana Harbor, Cuba, which Yellow Journalism blamed on Spain, triggering the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War (1898)

Conflict fought in Cuba and the Philippines resulting in a quick U.S. victory and Spain surrendering its overseas empire.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign uprising in China by Chinese nationalists (Boxers) that was put down by an international military force, including U.S. troops.

Building of the Panama Canal

U.S. engineering project connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to cut travel time for military and commercial shipping.

Pro-Imperialism Arguments

Belief that expansion provided new trade markets, raw resources, strategic naval bases, and spread Western civilization.

Anti-Imperialism Arguments

Belief that controlling other peoples violated democratic principles of self-government, cost too much, and caused conflicts.

Territories Gained from Spain

As a result of the Spanish-American War, the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Philippine-American War

Conflict that broke out when Emilio Aguinaldo and Filipino freedom fighters fought against U.S. control after being denied independence.

U.S. Interest in Asia

Driven by economic desires for access to Chinese trade markets and strategic power via Pacific island bases.

Cartoon: White Man's Burden

Shows Uncle Sam carrying non-white populations up a rocky mountain toward 'Civilization,' representing pro-imperialist justification.

Cartoon: The World's Constable

Shows Uncle Sam as an international police officer maintaining world order, showing America's rise as a dominant world power.

Cartoon: Big Stick in the Caribbean

Shows Theodore Roosevelt striding through the Caribbean dragging warships with a big club, representing the Roosevelt Corollary.