Imperialism Study Guide

New Manifest Destiny

American expansion outside of North America

Expansionist

People who wanted the United States to acquire territory outside of North America to increase foreign trade and influence

Isolationist

Belief that America should not get involved with foreign affairs. Established in George Washington’s farewell address. 

Annexation

Forcing control over another country or territory as the US did to the Philippines at the end of the Philippine-American War

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Argued that to be a powerful country, the US needed a powerful navy

Frederick Johnson Turner

Argued that the west was closed for expansion and America needed to take over more territory to continue expanding.

American Business Interests in Hawaii

There was a high tariff on importing sugar but if Hawaii was part of the US there wouldn’t be any tariffs. Hawaii was dependent on America for their economy as a result

Queen Liliuokalani

Queen of Hawaii before she was overthrown by Dole

Sanford B. Dole

Sugar planter who led the uprising against Liliuokalani

Hawaii Reciprocity Agreement (1875)

Hawaii would only be able to trade with the U.S. in exchange for duty-free exportation of sugar and other products

McKinley Tariff (1890)

Annulled the reciprocity agreement by allowing other countries the same benefits which took away Hawaii’s special status. This dropped the price of sugar in Hawaii and ruined their economy

Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani (1893)

She was overthrown by Dole under charges of treason. She was put under house arrest and never compensated for the annexation of her kingdom.

Social Darwinism

Belief that non-white races are underevolved. Also used as an excuse to not help poor people justified as them being inferior

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated reporting

Gunboat Diplomacy

Foreign policy supported with the threat of military force

Anti-Imperialism

The belief (held by Mark Twain) that it is unconstitutional and unAmerican to take territory like the Philippines.

Spanish-American War (1898)

Began when Spain was blamed for the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. The war only lasted 6 weeks because Spain was severly outclassed by the US gunboats. The result of the war was that Spain ceded Cuba and the Philippines as well as Guam and Puerto Rico

Platt Amendment & Guantanamo Bay

Cuba was forced to write an amendment into their constitution that gave the US access to Guatanamo Bay and the right to intervene diplomatically, economically, or with the military

Puerto Rico & Foraker Act (1900)

Puerto Rico was given independence after the Spanish-American War but it was overseen by the US. Act gave Puerto Rico a limited degree of popular government and outlined governance of the territory.

Roosevelt Corrollary

The United States would intervene in Latin American countries to promote peace, stability, and independence

1899 Open Door Policy

US policy that all nations agree to free trade in China. (Spheres of influence in China)

Boxer Rebellion

An uprising in China against foreigners suppressed by international forces (including American forces), countries forced China to pay indemnities (pay for military forces used)

Philippine-American War (1899-1902)

 A second revolt started by Aguinaldo against American control of their land. Filipinos saw themselves at war with a foreign power but the US thought part of their territory was revolting. 

Pacific Islands

Guam, Wake Island, Midway Island. All strategic for military reasons and to spread influence to Asia.

Hawaii (Sandwich Islands)

Taken over to control by the US so people wouldn’t have to pay tariffs for sugar

Philippines

The Philippine-American War started after the United States wanted control of the Philippines having just defeated the Spanish. They wanted the land to have territory close to Asia which would help trade. 

Cuba

Gained independence after the Spanish-American War. Used by the U.S. for access to Guatanamo Bay

Theodore Roosevelt

Led rough rider campaigns in Cuba, ordered the panama canal, intervened in Latin America. 

Emilio Aguinaldo

 A Filipino who led a nationalist revolt against Spain before being exiled. He was brought back by Dewey to help fight the Spanish but instead of supporting the Philippines’ sovereignty, the U.S. wanted to take it

William McKinley (R)

 President when Hawaii was annexed. Wanted it annexed citing the Spanish-American war as a reason. 

USS Maine

Armored ship sunk in Havana Harbor (probably by accident) which was blamed on Spain and started the Spanish-American War.

Panama Canal

Canal built under Roosevelt to connect the Pacific and Atlantic. U.S. helped Panama gain independence from Colombia in exchange for rights to the canal. 

The Great White Fleet

Roosevelt’s new navy ships that toured the world to show off the United States’ military power