APUSH VOCAB QUIZ 12

Alfred Thayer Mahan

prominent figure known for his influential book "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History," where he argued that a strong navy was crucial for a nation to achieve global power, significantly impacting American foreign policy towards imperialism and naval expansion in the late 19th century.

Venezuelan Border Dispute

a territorial conflict between Venezuela and Great Britain (regarding British Guiana) over a disputed border in the late 19th century, where the United States intervened under President Grover Cleveland, invoking the Monroe Doctrine to pressure Britain to settle the dispute through arbitration, ultimately strengthening US influence in the region; this marked a shift towards closer US-British relations.

Hawaii Annexation

the act of the United States formally incorporating the Hawaiian Islands into its territory in 1898, marking a significant moment in American imperialism and expansionism, driven by economic interests and strategic military positioning in the Pacific region; this event essentially turned Hawaii from a sovereign kingdom into a US territory.

Yellow Journalism

a style of newspaper reporting that prioritized sensationalism and exaggerated stories over factual accuracy, often used to sell more papers by captivating readers with dramatic headlines and sometimes fabricated details, most notably associated with the rivalry between publishers William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer during the late 19th century; it played a significant role in pushing public opinion towards the Spanish-American War by sensationalizing events in Cuba.

Joseph Pulitzer

a prominent American newspaper publisher who is most notably associated with the development of "yellow journalism," a style of sensationalist reporting that often used exaggerated stories and headlines to attract readers, particularly through his newspaper "The New York World"; he is also remembered for establishing the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes for journalism and other creative works.

William Randolph Hearst

as a prominent American newspaper publisher who is most notably associated with "yellow journalism," a sensationalist style of reporting that often exaggerated stories to sell newspapers, particularly contributing to the public sentiment leading up to the Spanish-American War by using dramatic headlines and fabricated stories about Cuban atrocities under Spanish rule; he often competed with fellow publisher Joseph Pulitzer in this practice.

Jingoism

an extreme form of patriotism that often advocates for aggressive foreign policy and military action, characterized by a strong belief in one's own nation's superiority and a readiness to use force to defend it, often with a sense of arrogance towards other countries; essentially, it's a highly nationalistic sentiment pushing for warlike actions.

The Maine

refers to the USS Maine, a United States Navy battleship that mysteriously exploded and sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba on February 15, 1898, which significantly contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War by fueling public outrage against Spain and creating a rallying cry of "Remember the Maine!" despite the actual cause of the explosion remaining uncertain.

Splendid Little War

to the Spanish-American War of 1898, which was described as such by Secretary of State John Hay due to its short duration, relatively low American casualties, and the quick victory against Spain, allowing the United States to emerge as a major world power; essentially, a "splendid" war with minimal cost to the US.

Rough Riders

the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry regiment, a group of American soldiers who fought in the Spanish-American War, most notably led by then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, and known for their diverse composition including cowboys, miners, and college athletes; they gained fame for their bravery in battles like the Battle of San Juan Hill.

Treaty of Paris 1898

the agreement that officially ended the Spanish-American War, where the United States acquired control of former Spanish territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy towards imperialism and establishing the US as a major global power; this treaty was signed on December 10, 1898.

Platt Amendment

a piece of U.S. legislation enacted after the Spanish-American War that outlined the conditions under which the United States would withdraw its troops from Cuba, essentially giving the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuban affairs and establish naval bases on the island, effectively limiting Cuba's sovereignty despite its nominal independence; named after Senator Orville Platt of Connecticut who introduced it.

Emilio Aguinaldo

a significant figure recognized as a Filipino revolutionary leader who fought against Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, declaring independence in 1898, but later led a resistance against American forces during the Philippine-American War when the U.S. refused to grant full independence to the Philippines; essentially, he initially cooperated with the U.S. during the Spanish-American War but then turned against them when they aimed to annex the Philippines.

Anti-Imperialist League

an organization formed in the late 19th century that actively opposed the United States' expansionist policies, particularly after the Spanish-American War, arguing that acquiring overseas territories like the Philippines went against American ideals of self-determination and democracy

Open Door Policy

a US diplomatic policy established in the late 19th century that aimed to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China, preventing any single power from monopolizing trade within the country, while also respecting China's territorial integrity; essentially, it called for an "open door" to trade with China for all countries on an equal basis, proposed by US Secretary of State John Hay.

John Hay

refers to the US Secretary of State who is most notably known for initiating the "Open Door Policy" in China, which aimed to ensure equal access for all nations to trade within China, preventing any single power from dominating the region; he sent out "Open Door Notes" to major powers to uphold this policy.

Boxer Rebellion

a violent, anti-foreign uprising in China between 1899 and 1901, led by a Chinese secret society called the "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" (known as "Boxers" by Westerners), who aimed to expel foreign influence, particularly from Western nations and Japan, through attacks on missionaries and foreign property; this rebellion was ultimately crushed by an international military force, highlighting the widespread resentment against foreign imperialism in China during the late 19th century.

Big Stick Policy

the foreign policy approach of President Theodore Roosevelt, which emphasized using the threat of military force as leverage in negotiations, essentially "speaking softly but carrying a big stick" to achieve desired outcomes, often applied in Latin America through the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine; meaning he would negotiate peacefully but was prepared to use military intervention if necessary.

Roosevelt Corollary

The Roosevelt Corollary was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine articulated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, asserting the right of the United States to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and order. It justified American intervention in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in cases of chronic wrongdoing or financial instability, reinforcing the U.S. role as a regional police power.

Great White Fleet

a fleet of 16 US Navy battleships, all painted white, that sailed around the world from 1907 to 1909 under President Theodore Roosevelt, primarily to demonstrate American naval power and assert the country's status as a major global player; this voyage was a key example of "Big Stick" diplomacy.

Panama Canal

a man-made waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, built by the United States and completed in 1914, significantly reducing travel time for ships between the two coasts of the Americas, and serving as a key symbol of American expansionism and imperial power during the early 20th century; its construction involved the US supporting a Panamanian rebellion against Colombia to secure the right to build the canal.

Dollar Diplomacy

a US foreign policy, primarily under President William Howard Taft, where the United States used its economic power by providing loans to foreign countries, particularly in Latin America, to exert influence and further American interests instead of direct military intervention, essentially "substituting dollars for bullets.".

Moral Diplomacy

a foreign policy strategy implemented by President Woodrow Wilson, where the United States would only support nations with democratic governments and values aligned with its own, essentially using moral principles as the primary guide in international relations, often by withholding support from countries with undemocratic leaders; it aimed to promote democracy and human rights globally by applying ethical considerations to foreign policy decisions.