U.S. Imperialism, Foreign Policy, and WWI Key Concepts

Imperialism

The economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker ones.

Anglo-Saxonism

The belief that Americans of Anglo-Saxon descent are racially and culturally superior and have a duty to spread their governance, religion, and way of life.

Social Darwinism

It promotes the idea that the strongest countries will naturally dominate weaker ones, justifying expansion and conquest.

Annex

To incorporate a territory into a larger political entity, extending a nation's territory.

Cuban rebellion

Many Americans support the Cuban rebellion.

USS Maine

The ship sent by President McKinley to Havana for protection, which exploded on February 15, 1898.

Spanish-American War

The war fought on two fronts: Cuba (Atlantic) and the Philippines (Pacific).

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Cuba was promised independence; U.S. annexed Puerto Rico and Guam; bought the Philippines for $200,000.

Platt Amendment

Conditions on Cuban independence, including U.S. intervention rights and a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy

"Big Stick" diplomacy — use military strength to influence world affairs.

Great White Fleet

To showcase American naval power around the world.

Panama Canal

Built to connect the Atlantic and Pacific for strategic and military purposes.

Roosevelt Corollary

An extension of the Monroe Doctrine allowing the U.S. to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and order.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy to ensure equal trade access in China and prevent colonization by other powers.

Boxer Rebellion

A violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China.

U.S. imperialism towards Japan

President Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to negotiate a trade treaty, leading Japan to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa for trading rights.

U.S. imperialism in Hawaii

The U.S. overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy, established a government, and annexed Hawaii in 1898 for strategic and economic reasons.

Economic ties to Cuba

The U.S. has close economic ties to Cuba, mainly in sugar.

Support for Cuban rebellion

Americans supported the Cuban rebellion to protect economic interests and influenced by yellow journalism.

Difficult decision after the war

Whether to annex the Philippines.

Challenges in the Philippines

Filipino rebels fought against American control, and some U.S. generals treated Filipinos brutally.

Philippines independence

The Philippines gained independence in 1946.

Spanish colony of Cuba

Cuba was a colony of Spain.

Most affected regions by European imperialism

Africa and Asia.

Most extensive European empire

The British Empire.

Chinese protests against foreign influence

Suppressed by an international coalition.

Russo-Japanese War

Roosevelt negotiated peace treaties and built and sent the Great White Fleet to show U.S. strength.

"Big Stick" Diplomacy

Use diplomacy but maintain a strong military as a backup.

Roosevelt's support for Panama's independence

He backed a revolution and sent a warship to support their independence from Colombia.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. policy to prevent European intervention in the Americas.

Espionage Act and Sedition Act

Acts that limited civil liberties during WWI.

"doughboys"

American soldiers in WWI.

Battle of Argonne Forest

A key victory that helped end WWI.

End of WWI

1918, with Germany signing an armistice.

Wilson's 14 Points

Wilson's peace plan.

Main goal of Wilson's 14 Points

To promote peace through open diplomacy, free trade, disarmament, and creation of the League of Nations.

U.S. rejection of the Treaty of Versailles

Many feared it would entangle the U.S. in future conflicts and limit independence; Senate rejected it.

Opposition to the League of Nations

Many Americans believed it would entangle the U.S. in future conflicts and undermine independence in foreign policy.

Yellow journalism's influence in Cuba

Exaggerated stories fueled public support for war by inflaming emotions and creating pressure on policymakers.

Wilson's main goal with the League of Nations

To create a global organization that would prevent future wars through collective security.

Technological advances in WWI

They made combat more deadly and prolonged, with new weapons like tanks and poison gas increasing casualties.

New technologies during WWI

Machine guns, poison gas, tanks, airplanes, gas masks.

Trench warfare

A type of fighting where soldiers fought from deep trenches, leading to miserable and deadly conditions.

Convoys during WWI

Ships traveled in groups escorted by warships to protect against submarine attacks.

Harlem Hellfighters

An African-American regiment that fought heroically and challenged racial segregation.

Civil liberties during WWI

Civil liberties were curtailed through laws like the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which limited free speech.

Herbert Hoover during WWI

Leader of the Food Administration, managing food supplies and promoting wartime conservation.

Great Migration

The movement of African Americans from the South to northern cities for better opportunities during and after WWI.

Theodore Roosevelt's impact on U.S. foreign policy

Through aggressive diplomacy, building the navy, negotiating peace, and supporting the Panama Canal.

Roosevelt's "Big Stick" policy

Use military strength to influence and maintain peace globally.

William Howard Taft and Dollar Diplomacy

Roosevelt's successor who promoted Dollar Diplomacy—using economic investments for influence.

U.S. acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico

Following the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Panama Canal opening

Officially opened in 1914.

Formal rejection of the Treaty of Versailles

1919, when the Senate refused to ratify it.