Untitled Flashcards Set

Imperialism

The expansion of a nation’s political, military, and economic control over other territories or countries. In the late 19th century, the U.S. shifted from its traditional isolationism to actively seeking overseas territories. This was motivated by economic interests (markets and raw materials), strategic concerns (military bases), and cultural ideologies like the "civilizing mission" and Social Darwinism. Examples include the annexation of Hawaii and the acquisition of territories after the Spanish-American War.

Yellow Journalism

A style of sensationalist reporting that prioritized eye-catching headlines over factual accuracy, used by newspapers like Joseph Pulitzer's New York World and William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal. These outlets exaggerated Spanish atrocities in Cuba, fueling public outrage in the U.S. and increasing support for war with Spain. A famous example includes their coverage of the U.S.S. Maine explosion, which helped sway public opinion toward war.

Jingoism

An intense form of nationalism that advocates for an aggressive foreign policy. In the 1890s, jingoism fueled the U.S. push for war with Spain, as public figures and citizens demanded action to "free" Cuba and protect American interests. Politicians like Theodore Roosevelt exemplified this sentiment, urging the U.S. to assert itself as a global power.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

While originally a policy declaring the Western Hemisphere off-limits to European colonization, by the late 19th century, it evolved into a justification for U.S. intervention in Latin America. During the Spanish-American War, it was cited as a reason to oppose Spanish control over Cuba, reflecting the U.S.'s growing assertiveness in regional affairs.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

An influential naval historian and strategist whose book The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890) argued that national greatness depended on naval dominance. Mahan’s ideas inspired U.S. leaders to expand and modernize the navy and acquire strategic naval bases (e.g., Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines), aligning with the imperialist goals of the era.

Open Door Policy (1899)

A diplomatic policy proposed by Secretary of State John Hay, advocating for equal trading rights for all nations in China and opposing the partitioning of China by European powers. While it wasn’t directly related to the Spanish-American War, it showcased America’s broader goals of asserting influence in global markets and maintaining access to Asian markets.

Annexation of Hawaii (1898)

A culmination of decades of U.S. involvement in Hawaiian politics and economy, the annexation was driven by American planters seeking to avoid tariffs and by the military’s desire for a strategic base in the Pacific (Pearl Harbor). Hawaii’s annexation became a key example of American imperialism during this period.

Cuba Libre Movement

A Cuban independence movement aimed at liberating Cuba from Spanish colonial rule. Cuban nationalist José Martí sought U.S. support for the cause, framing it as a struggle for democracy and freedom. The movement’s struggles were dramatized in U.S. newspapers, gaining sympathy and support from the American public.

U.S.S. Maine

A U.S. battleship sent to Havana Harbor to protect American citizens during the Cuban revolt against Spain. Its mysterious explosion on February 15, 1898, killed 260 sailors. Although the cause was likely accidental, sensationalist reporting blamed Spain, sparking the rallying cry, "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!" This incident directly contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

De Lôme Letter (1898)

A private letter from Spanish Ambassador Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, published by U.S. newspapers, in which he criticized President McKinley as weak and a populist pandering to the masses. Its release inflamed American public opinion and heightened tensions with Spain, further escalating the path to war.

Rough Riders

A volunteer cavalry regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War. Made up of cowboys, miners, and Ivy League athletes, they became famous for their charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba. This victory was highly publicized, enhancing Roosevelt’s national reputation and symbolizing American valor and volunteerism.

Teller Amendment (1898)

A resolution passed by Congress stating that the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba after its liberation from Spain. It reassured anti-imperialists and helped frame the war as one fought for Cuban independence rather than territorial gain. However, U.S. actions after the war, including the Platt Amendment, contradicted this pledge.

Platt Amendment (1901)

This amendment, added to the Cuban constitution under U.S. pressure, allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs to preserve order and maintain Cuban independence. It also granted the U.S. a lease for a naval base at Guantánamo Bay. It effectively made Cuba a U.S. protectorate, highlighting the contradictions of American imperialism.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

The treaty that ended the Spanish-American War, in which Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million. Cuba was granted nominal independence. This treaty marked the U.S.'s emergence as an imperial power with overseas territories.

Philippine-American War (1899-1902)

After the Spanish-American War, Filipino rebels, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, resisted U.S. annexation, seeking independence. The war was marked by guerrilla tactics and brutal U.S. suppression. It exposed the moral contradictions of American imperialism, as the U.S. fought against a former ally seeking freedom.

Anti-Imperialist League

A coalition of prominent Americans, including Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie, who opposed U.S. imperialist policies. They criticized the annexation of the Philippines and argued that imperialism contradicted American democratic ideals. Their efforts reflected domestic debates over America’s role in the world.