American Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

American Expansionism

U.S. growth leading to overseas interests post-Civil War.

Hawaii

Sovereign state overthrown by U.S. interests in 1893.

Pearl Harbor

Strategic naval port leased by U.S. in 1887.

Queen Liliuokalani

Last sovereign of Hawaii before U.S. annexation.

President Grover Cleveland

Called for investigation into Hawaii's overthrow.

President William McKinley

Authorized Hawaii's annexation in 1898.

Jingoes

Expansionists believing foreign policy resolves domestic issues.

Berlin Conference

1884 meeting where European powers partitioned Africa.

American Exceptionalism

Belief in U.S. superiority and global responsibility.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in U.S. destined to expand globally.

Christian Missionaries

18,000 missionaries spread Christianity worldwide by 1900.

Anglo-Saxonism

Belief that white Protestants should rule globally.

Social Darwinism

Philosophy justifying strong nations dominating weaker ones.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval captain advocating for a powerful U.S. navy.

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History

Mahan's book promoting naval expansion for U.S. power.

Naval Power

Essential for U.S. to become a world power.

Economic Development

Requires strong navy, merchant marine, and colonies.

Refueling Stations

Necessary for naval power and overseas expansion.

Competitive Impulse

Fear of U.S. missing out on global markets.

Domestic Turmoil

Internal tensions prompting calls for foreign policy.

U.S. Military Personnel

Involved in Hawaii's overthrow and subsequent events.

Sugar Plantations

Key economic interest driving U.S. involvement in Hawaii.

Rebellions and Coups

Actions sponsored by U.S. interests in Hawaii.

Theodore Roosevelt

Assistant Secretary of Navy supporting naval expansion.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval officer advocating for sea power and expansion.

Steel Battleships

11 new powerful ships authorized by 1896.

Economic Justification

Imperialism driven by need for markets and materials.

Second Industrial Revolution

Period of rapid industrial growth and production increase.

Anti-Imperialist League

Formed in 1899 to oppose American imperialism.

Andrew Carnegie

Tycoon opposing imperialism due to moral reasons.

Samuel Gompers

Labor leader against imperialism fearing job losses.

Jane Addams

Reformer opposing imperialism for humanitarian reasons.

Self-Determination

Principle opposing governance without inhabitants' consent.

George Frisbie ****

Senator arguing against imperialism's violation of liberty.

Cuban Insurrectionists

Fought against Spanish rule through guerilla warfare.

Valeriano Weyler

Spanish general known for harsh tactics in Cuba.

Reconcentrado Centers

Detention centers for Cubans under Spanish control.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news to provoke public outrage.

USS Maine

Ship whose explosion triggered the Spanish-American War.

February 15, 1898

Date of USS Maine explosion in Havana Harbor.

Cuban Natives

Local population resentful of foreign plantation owners.

Butcher Weyler

Nickname for Weyler due to his brutal tactics.

American Press

Played a key role in shaping public opinion.

Cuban Sugar Plantations

Economic centers causing tension between locals and foreigners.

260 Sailors

Number of sailors killed in USS Maine explosion.

Havana Harbor

Location of the USS Maine's explosion.

Maine

U.S. battleship sunk in Havana Harbor.

Telegram

Message from captain reporting Maine's destruction.

Public Opinion

American sentiment urging war against Spain.

Teller Amendment

Assured Cuba's independence post-war.

War Declaration Date

April 21, 1898, marks war's official start.

Philippines Conflict

Initial fighting occurred in the Philippines, not Cuba.

George Dewey

U.S. Commodore who led Manila Bay attack.

Manila Bay Battle

Quick U.S. victory over Spanish fleet.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino leader aiding U.S. forces in Manila.

Cuban Difficulties

Tropical diseases caused most American casualties.

Casualty Statistics

90% of American casualties from diseases.

Puerto Rico Invasion

U.S. invaded after victory in Cuba.

Cease-fire Date

Spanish signed cease-fire in August 1898.

War Duration

Spanish-American War lasted 114 days.

Treaty of Paris 1898

Ended war, ceded Guam, Puerto Rico to U.S.

Philippines Payment

U.S. paid Spain $20 million for Philippines.

Insular Cases

Supreme Court ruled Constitution doesn't apply to territories.

Anti-imperialists

Opponents of U.S. expansion, led by Bryan.

Platt Amendment

Restricted Cuban sovereignty, allowed U.S. intervention.

Cuban Constitution

U.S. ignored Teller Amendment during its drafting.

Commercial Interests

U.S. sought trade opportunities in Asia.

Philippine-American War

Filipinos revolted against American rule in 1899.

Guerilla Warfare

Combat style used by Filipino revolutionaries.

Aguinaldo

Leader of Philippine resistance against American rule.

Philippine-American War

Conflict lasting three years for control of the Philippines.

Foraker Act

Established civil government in Puerto Rico, April 12, 1900.

Jones Act

Granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans in 1917.

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's status established in 1952 with local governance.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy for equal trade access in China.

Boxer Rebellion

Chinese uprising against foreign influence and Open Door Policy.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Roosevelt's foreign policy emphasizing military strength.

Panama Canal

Engineering feat connecting Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Panamanian Revolution

U.S.-supported rebellion for Panama's independence from Colombia.

Theodore Roosevelt

U.S. President known for expansionist policies and diplomacy.

U.S. Imperialism

American expansion into territories for strategic and economic reasons.

American Troops in Philippines

63,000 troops deployed to suppress Philippine revolt.

Casualties in Philippine-American War

4,300 American and 20,000 Philippine deaths recorded.

Construction Challenges

Difficulties faced while building the Panama Canal.

Malaria and Accidents

Caused over 5,600 worker deaths during canal construction.

Completion of Canal

Panama Canal completed in 1914, enhancing maritime trade.

U.S. Recognition of Panama

Immediate recognition of Panama after independence declaration.

Spheres of Influence

Regions in China controlled by foreign powers.

Secretary of State John Hay

Announced the Open Door Policy for China.

American Citizenship for Puerto Ricans

Achieved in 1917 through the Jones Act.

Civil Government in Puerto Rico

Established by the Foraker Act in 1900.

Reputation as World Power

Goal of Roosevelt's aggressive foreign policy.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. policy opposing European colonialism in Americas.

Roosevelt Corollary

U.S. intervention in Latin America for financial crises.

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft's strategy to promote U.S. business abroad.

Moral Diplomacy

Wilson's belief in spreading American democracy.

Progressive Era

Period of social reform from 1900 to 1917.

Muckrakers

Journalists exposing corruption and social injustices.

Jacob Riis

Author of 'How the Other Half Lives' exposing slum conditions.

Lincoln Steffens

Wrote 'The Shame of the Cities' on urban corruption.