Unit 2 Ch. 17-18 Foreign Affair from Imperialism to Post-WWI

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated, sensationalized, inaccurate news that was meant to gain the emotional attention of the reader

De Lome Letter

A trigger event of the Spanish-American War, the Spanish Ambassador called President McKinley weak

USS Maine

Triggering event of the Spanish-American War Ship that 258 U.S. Sailors, America blamed Spain

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry led to Teddy Roosevelt, won the battle at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War

A war fought between Spain and America in Cuba and the Philippines. Important because America became of a World of Power after winning in 4 months

Imperialism

Belief in Empire-Building by the control of one country over another through diplomacy or military force

Raw Materials/Markets

Colonies could provide raw materials to American factories, markets provided new customers to American businesses

Strategic Reasons

Strengthen the Navy by putting bases around the world

Nationalism

People saw colonial expansions as a necessity to show the world that American was a global power

Spreading Christianity

Americans saw themselves as the “superior” race, so conquering foreign people would actually help them

Hemispheric Security

The U.S. wanted to keep foreign powers out of the Western Hemisphere for security reasons

Economic Interests

Provided new markets, the Caribbean supplied the U.S. with sugar and other agricultural goods

Panama Canal

The U.S. needed a faster way for boats to get between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean

Boxer Rebellion

Erupted in China opposing Western influence in China

Lusitania

American cruise ship that was sunk by German u-boats

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Warfare in which submarines sink vessels such as freighters and tankers without warning

Freedom of Seas

Right of neutral nations to ship non-military goods to nation at war

Selective Service Act

Authorized the United States Federal Government to raise a national army for service

Fourteen Points

Principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I

League of Nations

An international peace keeping organization used to avoid future wars