APUSH US Foreign Policy 1890-1920

Seward's Folly

In March 1867, Seward, an expansionist, purchased Alaska from Russia. Critics gave it this name and complained that the US had little need for "a barren, worthless, God-forsaken region."

Henry Cabot Lodge

In 1898, he pointed out the link between communications and business. Along with TR developed plans for commercial and territorial expansion. He promised to replace the graying veterans of the Civil War who, chastened by their suffering during the war, had resisted the temptation of military adventure.

Josiah Strong and "Our Country"

Congregational minister and author who promised that God was "preparing mankind to receive our impress." The United States, he said, was "divinely commissioned" to spread Protestant Christianity and civilized values to the rest of the world.

Social Darwinism and foreign policy

Social Darwinism added force to the notion of expansion. Some argued that the US needed to compete vigorously with other nations in order to remain "fit" to survive. The applied survival of the fittest to Nations as well.

Frederick Jackson Turner and foreign policy

In 1893 he announced the frontier closed. Never again, he argued, would the frontier provide "a gate of escape from the bondage of the past." He observed that the frontier's disappearance created "demands for a vigorous foreign policy . . . .and for the extension of American influence to outlying islands and adjoining countries."

Theodore Roosevelt

Along with Henry Cabot Lodge developed plans for commercial and territorial expansion. He promised to replace the graying veterans of the Civil War who, chastened by their suffering during the war, had resisted the temptation of military adventure.

Alfred Thayer Mahan and "The Influence of Sea Power upon History

Inspired foreign policy. A naval strategist and author who taught at the Naval War College. He insisted in his books that control over international communications was the key to success in modern war. He influenced Congressional improvements in Naval power.

Naval Act of 1900

Authorized the building of "three sea-going coastline battleships designed to carry the heaviest armor and most powerful ordinance." This was important in improving the American Navy. Influenced by Mahan and his followers.

First International American Conference (1889)

Called by James Blaine, then Secretary of State under Harrison. He invited delegates from 17 Latin American nations to discuss the creation of an inter-American common market. The conference failed, but it did lead to the building of the first Pan-American Highway system.

Valparaiso Incident

Conflict between more than a hundred drunk American sailors and anti-American Chileans in 1891; Two sailors were killed and 17 badly hurt. After Harrison threatened the Chileans with war, the new Chilean government apologized for the incident and paid a 75,000 dollar indemnity.

Venezuela Border Dispute

In this incident, President Cleveland had to instruct his secretary of stat to draft a note that invoked the Monroe Doctrine to warn British against interference in the Western Hemisphere. They rejected it, and eventually accepted arbitration over the dispute of land in the Treaty of Washington. The peaceful resolution foreshadowed a new spirit of cooperation and goodwill that would come in the next century between Britain and the US.

Annexation of Hawaii

after the short war between Queen Liliuokalani and white planters, Americans considered annexation of Hawaii. However, they saw that it remained mostly pro-monarch, and they recognized the Republic of Hawaii.

Reciprocity Treaty of 1875

allowed Hawaiian sugar to enter the US duty-free and prevented the island monarchy from making treaties with other powers.

McKinley Tariff Act of 1890

Ended the special status for Hawaii sugar. This law sent the Hawaiian economy into a tailspin; unemployment rose and property values plummeted, along with the planter's profit.

Queen Liluokalani

assumed the thrown of Hawaii in 1891 after the McKinley Tariff Act; A nationalist; Surrendered after three days of fighting the white planters, and the white minority established a provisional government.

"Bayonet Constitution"

Term used to refer to the Constitution by Queen Liliuokalani.

U.S. interest in Cuba

Interest in Cuba was centered around the sugar industry;

General Valeriano "Butcher" Weyler

Commanded 150,000 Spanish soldiers in an effort to destroy the rebels' base of popular support by instituting the brutal reconcentration program. His soldiers forced peasants into armed camps and then turned the Cuban countryside into a desert, burning crops, killing animals, and poisoning wells.

Reconcentration camps

A brutal program instituted by General Weyler against the Cuban's. It resulted in about four hundred thousand casualties in these death camps.

Pulitzer and Hearst and yellow journalism

Two journal's, the New York Journal (Hearst) and the New York World (Pulitzer) were competing for readers. They used new techniques, such as bold print, interesting headlines, and cartoons. Both papers became known as the "Yellow Journals" for their cartoon character, "the Yellow Kid".

Jose Marti

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William McKinley

Became President in 1897 calling for a strong navy and demanding "the eventual withdrawal of the European powers from this hemisphere." He threatened Spain to grant reforms to Cuba early on. Few things were done initially in response.

Explosion of the USS Maine

A battleship located in Havana harbor exploded. It was conspired to be an act of terror by the Spanish, although it is likely it was just technical difficulties. However, McKinley and Congress began to mobilize for war shortly after.

"Remember the Maine!"

Phrase coined by "The New York World" in response to the destruction of the USS Maine.

de Lome Letter

A letter published by "New York Journal" that was from Spain's minister in Washington, Enrique Dupuy de Lome., to a senior Spanish politician touring Cuba. The letter poked fun at McKinley, calling him "weak," a "bidder for the admiration of the crowd," and a "would be politician." It also suggested that the promised Cuban reforms were not being carried out in good faith. Along with the Explosion of the Maine, this caused the Spanish-American war.

Teller Amendment

America would not interfere with Cubas affairs

Platt Amendment

Passed by Congress in 1901, gave the US the right to intervene in Cuban affairs, required the Cuban government to limit its debt with European nations, and prohibited the Cuban government to negotiating a treaty with a foreign power. Also gave the US a 99 year lease on the naval base at the island's Guantanamo Bay.

"splendid Little War"

Title given to the Spanish-American War by John Hay because it was short and had very few casualties, most of which were from disease.

Spanish-American War

A result of the de Lome letter and the explosion of the USS Maine. A short lived war, only 3 months.

Difficulties faced by US soldiers in the Spanish American War

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Commodore Dewey

Head of the American Navy during the Spanish-American War. Under commands from TR, he headed to Spain's colony in the Philippines in order to be ready for war there. He demolished the colony in four hours, and ultimately caused the Spanish to surrender the Philippines.

Rough Riders

A volunteer regiment organized by TR to fight in Cuba; They represented the best elements in American life, so he only recruited other wealthy and educated men from Ivy League schools.

Kettle Hill/San Juan Hill

To key victories for the American's in the Spanish-American War that gave them strategic high ground overlooking the city of Santiago, where a fleet of Spanish ships was bottled up by an American blockade.

John Hay

Wrote to TR, "It has been a splendid little war; begun with the highest motives, carried on with magnificent intelligence and spirit, favored by that fortune which loves the brave." Coined the term "Splendid little war" Also responsible for the Open Door Notes.

Anti-Imperialists and the Anti-Imperialist League

After annexation of Hawaii and part of the Samoan Islands, and other territories, many people resented McKinley's policy on he Philippines. To build public support against it, they formed a league in 1898; Here, they organized mass meetings and published pamphlets calling on those "who believe in the republic against Empire."

Insular Cases and "Constitution must follow flag"

Critics challenged the premise of the Foraker Act, asserting that "the Constitution followed the flag." Nevertheless, in a series of decisions known as this, the US Supreme Court upheld the procedure. They ruled that the US could annex an area, make it an "unincorporated" territory, and refuse to grant its people citizenship.

Treaty of Paris of 1898

Signed on December 10 1898; In this, the US payed Spain 20 million dollars, and received Puerto Rico and the Philippines. This outraged Filipinos.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino rebel leader who ordered his troops to fight the Americans in response to their actions. "Either independence or death!" After three years of fighting, unable to defeat the skilled American soldiers using Guerrilla techniques, he surrendered.

Philippine-American War

A three year war between Aguinaldo's rebels and the American forces. In response to the Treaty of Paris of 1898. More than 5,000 American's died, and 200,000 Filipinos died. Was expensive for the US.

William Howard taft

Was announced as civilian governor of the Philippines in 1901, with the mission to "teach those people individual liberty, which shall lift them up to a point of civilization..., and which shall make them rise to call the name of the US blessed." He worked hard to modernize and build

Foraker Act

Made Puerto Rico an "unincorporated territory" subject to the laws of Congress but governed by the War Department. residents could elect a Lower House, but the US president would appoint the governor, the heads of executive departments, and members of the Upper House. Enacted in 1900

Open Door Notes

Notes sent by John Hay in response to threats by the Chinese, asking the other powers to guarantee that ports would remain open to all nations and to avoid offering special privileges to any group. the other nations sent ambiguous replies, but Hayes announced agreement of all powers as "final and definitive."

Boxer Rebellion

A radical anti-foreign and militaristic society that began murdering foreigners in China. The soon controlled the capital and were besieging area where most foreigners lived. the US responded with 2,500 troops to join an international delegation to life the siege. Hay also sent a second round of Open Door Notes.

Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt's new policy that asserted that "chronic wrong-doing" or "Impotence" by a nation of the Western Hemisphere could "force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of an international police power." Marked a historic break from Monroe's Doctrine and shaped US policy toward Central American for the rest of the twentieth century. Unlike Monroe, Roosevelt asserted America's right to intervene in a nay situation that threatened the order and stability of the region. This guided American policy until FDR's "Good Neighbor Policy" in the 1930's.

Panama Canal

America bought the rights to build this Canal after long negotiations, and a Panamanian Revolution. Eventually, they signed a treaty by which Panama accepted the original offer of 10 million plus 250,000 a year for US rights to a 10 mile wide strip that cut the country in half. Granted the US significant power

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

Treaty with Britain that required joint Anglo-American control of any Central American canal; this was an initial obstacle for Roosevelt in creating an American-controlled canal in the Caribbean.

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty

Treaty with Britain overriding the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, allowing the US to build and control a canal of its own.

Panamanian Revolution

A revolt in 1903; Panamanian's declared that "The Americans are against us. What can we do against the American Navy?" Two days later, Roosevelt recognized the new nation.

Russo-Japanese War

Began when Japanese launched a preemptive strike on Russian fleets in Asia in 1904. Roosevelt grew concerned when Japan scored a series of resounding successes that threatened to drive Russia out of the region. Ended with the Portsmouth Treaty.

Manchuria

The disputed region that caused for the Russo-Japanese War.

Portsmouth Treaty 1905

Peace conference held in New Hampshire; In the resulting settlement, Japan received control over Korea and in return promised an open door in Manchuria for the US and other powers. The Japanese also obtained key Russian bases in Manchuria, vital parts of the Chinese Eastern Railway running through Manchuria, and the southern half of the strategic island of Sakhalin.

Root-Takahira Agreement

Affirmed the pledge to the Open Door in Manchuria but accepted Japan's control of South Manchuria. This represented Roosevelt's attempt to balance America's ambition in East Asia with its real interests and its ability to defend them.

Taft's "Dollar Diplomacy"

President Taft's approach to foreign policy. He described his approach as "substituting dollars for bullets." Explained that he would engage in "active intervention to secure for our merchandise and our capitalists opportunity for profitable investment." Basically he would focus on financial power rather than military power.

Lodge Corollary

This resolution stated that no "corporation or association which has such a relation to another government, not American" could obtain strategic areas in the hemisphere. This extended the compass of the Monroe Doctrine.

Wilson and moralistic foreign policy

Wilson believed that democracy offered the best possibility for stability and order. He promised to usher in a new idealistic foreign policy based more on morality than self-interest.

Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan

Appointed by Wilson to demonstrate the break from Roosevelt and Taft's foreign policy. An outspoken opponent of imperialism and militarism. He launched an aggressive effort to convince other nations to settle disputes through mediation, not war.

Wilson's interventions in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

When Haiti went into political turmoil, Wilson ordered more than three hundred marines to the island. A new government signed a treaty that granted the US control over the country's foreign and financial affairs and granted the US the right to intervene whenever Washington officials thought it necessary.

Mexican Revolution

Began with the murder of Madero by Huerta; Wilson backed Carranzo at first; after threatening US oil companies, Wilson turned to aiding anti-Carranza forces.

General Victoriano Huerta

Rebel force in Mexico. Gained control of the Mexican government when he killed Francisco Madero.

Francisco Madero

An idealistic reformer who had gained power of Mexico in 1911; was murdered by Victoriano Huerta in 1913.

Venustiano Carranza

Received the support of Wilson in the Mexican Revolution; the rival leader of the Constitutionalist faction. After threatening US Oil Companies, Wilson turned his interest against him.

Invasion of Mexico

US had to invade Mexico after the Carranza crisis. At first Pershing led an expedition into Mexico in order to capture Villa and bring him back for trial.

General John J. Pershing

Was ordered to capture Villa and bring him back to the US to stand trial.

Pancho Villa

Wilson saw him as a Robin Hod who had spent "a not uneventful life in robbing the rich in order to give to the poor." However, he was way to weak for Carranza's forces. He later led an attack on a town in New Mexico, and Wilson demanded he be brought back for trial.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Assassination in 1914 that shattered the delicate balance of power that had maintained a fragile international peace in Europe since the early nineteenth century. Ultimately was the catalyst for the first World War.

Alliance System

Two alliance systems dominated Europe at the time of the Ferdinand assassination: The Central Powers of Germany. Turkey, Italy, and Austria-Hungary; and the Triple Entente (Allied) powers of Great Britain, France, and Russia.

Allied Powers

Also known as the triple Entente; a European alliance comprised of Great Britain, France, and Russia.

Central Powers

A World War I alliance between Germany, Turkey, Italy, and Austria-Hungary.

U.S. "neutrality"

When the war began, nearly everyone assumed the US would remain neutral. However, this proved impossible due to America's large immigrant population and their economic ties to the Allies. In the end, German activity (sinking the Lusitania) and the Zimmerman note caused for US participation.

U-Boats

German submarine's that was used in an attempt to take control over the sea's. This was the type of boat that sank the Lusitania

Lusitania

A British luxury liner that was torpedoed by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland. The attack horrified American's and narrowed Wilson's options regarding neutrality.

Sussex Pledge

A second promise from the German government not to attack merchant ships without warning that came after they violated their initial promise, the "Arabic pledge."

Naval Construction Act of 1916

An act supported by Wilson during the 1916 campaign which proposed an aggressive expansion of the navy, including the construction of ten battleships, ten cruisers, fifty destroyers, and one hundred submarines.

National Defense Act of 1916

An act supported by Wilson during the 1916 campaign which increased the size of the regular army from 90,000 to 223,000 and expanded the national Guard.

Criticism of U.S. involvement in WWI

Politicians and civilians feared the abridgment of individual liberties and the growth of close government-business ties that would result from a war.

Election of 1916

Republicans nominated Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes, formerly a progressive governor of NY. He attempted to please both sides of the neutrality debate, which proved difficult. Wilson was successful in managing the peace issue. The election was tight, but Wilson kept the Presidency.

"peace without victory"

Wilson called for this in a speech before the Senate, asking that nations would guaranteed the fundamental rights of all people. He also attacked the European balance of power, called for self-determination for all nations, freedom of the seas, and an end to entangling alliances.

Zimmerman Telegram

A telegram intercepted by Britain and given to the US, sent by German foreign secretary to the Mexican Government. The message proposed a military alliance with Mexico if the US entered the war against the Central Powers. In return, Germany promised Mexico the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. This brought the thought of conflict close to home for many Americans.

Russian Revolution

Replaced Russia's totalitarian monarchy with a constitutional monarch and democracy, added to the momentum for war by making it easier for Americans to view the Allied cause as a democratic crusade.

Jeannette Rankin

The first woman elected to Congress.

Mobilization for War

To mobilize, Wilson proposed a draft requiring all men between the ages of twenty and thirty to register. this raised fears involving individual freedom.

Selective Service

The government called the draft this, rather than conscription, in order to remove the stigma of a distant and impersonal government by allowing citizens to administer the draft through draft boards, which became "buffers between the individual citizen and the federal Government."

Women and their involvement in WWI

Many women hoped the wartime need for labor would break down traditional barriers that had barred them from employment. However, most of them found it difficult, as opportunities proved limited and brief, ending with the war.

African Americans and their involvement in WWI

Blacks made up about one percent of the officer corps of an army with 13 percent black enlisted men. Many African American's were treated poorly, which caused them to react with violence.

Lever Food and Fuel Control Act 1917

This act authorized the president ot regulate the output, distribution, and price of food, and to control every product that was used in food production.

Herbert Hoover

Head of the Food Administration, he rejected coercive rationing and price-fixing and instead depended on "the spirit of self-sacrifice." He mobolized huge publicity campaigns to promote "wheatless Mondays," "meatless Tuesdays" and "porkless Thursdays and Saturdays."

Food and Fuel Administration

Created by Wilson following the Lever Food and Fuel Control Act, chargin the new agenceis with expanding output and restricting civilian consumption. Herbert Hoover headed this.

Railroad Administration

Created by Wilson as a way of easing the transportation crisis by taking control of most of the country's railroads. Lead by William McAdoo. He suspended unessential traffic, poured in money to improve track conditions, consolidated ticket offices, and gave railroad workers a generous pay raise to improve morale. Very good results.

Liberty Bonds

A way that the government received loans to pay for the war mobilization. In order to convince American's, McAdoo asserted, "Every person who refuses to subscribe is a friend of Germany." By 1920, they produced 23 billion.

Bernard Baruch

Appointed head of the WIB in 1918; He set production schedules, mediated disputes between industries, and standardized procedures. He used lucrative contracts to persuade manufacturers to shift to war goods and promised to cover all consts and guarantee a profit.

War Industries Board

Coordinated government purchases of military supplies, helped convert plants to military production, and arranged for the construction of new factories. Lead by Bernard Baruch.

Strikes during WWI

In 1917 more than a million workers took part in 4,200 strikes in war-related industries. This proposed a great threat to the production for the war.

National War Labor Board

Established by Wilson as a kind of supreme court for labor controversies.

Great Migration

The search for better-paying jobs in war-related industries accelerated a massive migration of blacks from the rural South to the industrial Northeast and Midwest. Between 1910 and 1920 about 330,000 blacks fled poverty and oppression in the South, heading for Detroit, Chicago, and New York.

George Creel and the Committee on Public Information

A progressive journalist who Wilson asked to head the Committee on Public Information, in a search for public unity. The committee placed illustrated ads in magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post. Many of these ads served as propaganda.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

One, enacted in June 1917, specified imprisonment and heavy fines for persons who engaged in spying or sabotage. It made illegal any public criticism that could be considered detrimental to the war. The next act made it a crime to obstruct the sale of war bonds or to use "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive" language against the government, the Constitution, the flag, or military uniforms.

Eugene Debs

Socialist Party Leader who was arrested and sentenced to ten years in federal prison for telling listeners, "You need to know that you are fit for something better than slavery and cannon fodder." An example of strict government enforcement of the Sedition Act.

American Protective League

An organization that spied on, slandered, and arrested Americans. They opened mail, intercepted telegrams, and organized raids against draft evaders.

Robert Prager

a young man whose only crime was that he had been born in Germany who was seized by a mob. He was bound in an American flag, paraded through town, and then lynched.

Liberty Cabbage

The new name for sauerkraut during WWI as a way of cleansing any German influence.