American History Chapter 17-18

Flashcards

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated, sensationalized, inaccurate news that was meant to

gain the emotional attention of the reader.

De Lome Letter

A triggering event of the Spanish-American War. The Spanish

Ambassador called President McKinley weak.

USS Maine

Triggering event of the Spanish-American War. Ship that blew up and killed 258 US Sailors. America blamed Spain.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt. Won the battle at San Juan

Hill in the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War

A war fought between Spain and America in Cuba and the Philippines. Important because America became a world power after winning in 4 months.

Imperialism

Belief in empire-building by the control of one country over another

through diplomacy or military force.

Raw Materials/ Markets

Colonies could provide raw materials to American factories. Markets provided new customers to American businesses.

Strategic Reasons

Strengthen the Navy by putting bases around the world.

Nationalism

People saw colonial expansion as a necessity to show the world

that America was a global power.

Spreading Christianity

Americans saw themselves as the “superior” race. So conquering foreign people would actually help them.

Hemispheric Security

The US wanted to keep foreign powers out of the Western Hemisphere for security reasons.

Economic Interests

Provided new markets. The Caribbean supplied the US with sugar and other agricultural goods.

Panama Canal

The US needed a faster way for boats to get between the Atlantic and Pacific.

Boxer Rebellion

Erupted in China opposing Western influence in China

M

Militarism

A

Alliances

I

Imperialism

N

Nationalism

Lusitania

American cruise ship that was sunk by German U-boats.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

warfare in which submarines sink vessels such as freighters and tankers without warning.

Freedom of the seas

Right of neutral nations to ship non-military goods to nations at

war.

B

British Propoganda

U

Unrestricted submarine warfare

M

Money

Z

Zimmerman telegram

Selective Service Act

authorized the United States federal government to raise a national army for service.

Fourteen Points

Principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in

order to end World War I.

League of Nations

An international peacekeeping organization used to avoid future wars.