Imperialsim

Turner Thesis

A theory proposed by historian Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893, which argued that the closing of the American frontier had a profound impact on American society and culture, shaping characteristics such as individualism, democracy, and innovation.

Captain Alfred Mahan

A naval officer and historian known for his influential book "The Influence of Sea Power upon History," which argued that a strong navy was crucial for a nation's prosperity and global influence.

"Influence of Sea Power upon History"

A book written by Alfred Thayer Mahan in 1890, which argued that naval power was essential to a nation's dominance and prosperity in international affairs.

Josiah Strong

A Protestant clergyman and author known for his book "Our Country

Our Country

A book written by Josiah Strong in 1885, which promoted the idea of Anglo-Saxon superiority and argued for the spread of Christianity and American values through missionary work and expansionism.

Social Darwinism

A social theory that applied Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to human society, suggesting that competition and "survival of the fittest" should be applied to social and economic structures, often used to justify imperialism, racism, and laissez-faire capitalism.

White Man’s Burden

A concept popularized by Rudyard Kipling's poem of the same name, which portrayed imperialism as a duty of the white race to civilize and uplift non-white peoples, often used to justify colonialism and paternalistic policies.

Anti-Imperialist League

A political organization formed in the United States in 1898 to oppose American expansionism and imperialism, particularly in the Philippines and the Caribbean.

Carl Schurz

A German-American politician, diplomat, and reformer who served as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Interior, known for his advocacy of civil rights, anti-imperialism, and good governance.

Queen Liliuokalani

The last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, who was overthrown in 1893 by American business interests and later became a symbol of Hawaiian nationalism.

General Weyler

A Spanish general who was sent to Cuba in the late 19th century to suppress the Cuban independence movement, infamous for his brutal tactics against civilians, including reconcentration camps.

USS Maine

An American battleship that exploded and sank in Havana harbor in 1898, an event that helped precipitate the Spanish-American War.

De Lome Letter

A private letter written by the Spanish ambassador to the United States, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, in 1898, which criticized President William McKinley, leading to its publication and contributing to anti-Spanish sentiment in the United States.

William Randolph Hearst

A newspaper publisher and leading figure in yellow journalism, known for his ownership of the New York Journal and other newspapers.

Joseph Pulitzer

A newspaper publisher and leading figure in yellow journalism, known for his ownership of the New York World and other newspapers, as well as for establishing the Pulitzer Prizes.

Teller Amendment

A resolution passed by the U.S. Congress in 1898, which declared that the United States had no intention of annexing Cuba following the Spanish-American War, aimed at reassuring Cuban nationalists.

Rough Riders

A volunteer cavalry regiment commanded by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War, known for their role in the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba.

Treaty of Paris 1898

The treaty that ended the Spanish-American War, in which Spain ceded control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

Platt Amendment

An amendment to the 1901 Cuban constitution, which granted the United States the right to intervene in Cuban affairs and establish naval bases in the country.

Philippine Rebellion

An armed conflict between Filipino nationalists and American forces following the Spanish-American War, sparked by the United States' refusal to grant independence to the Philippines.

Emilio Aguinaldo

A Filipino revolutionary leader who fought against Spanish and later American colonial rule in the Philippines.

John Hay

The U.S. Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, known for his diplomacy and for promoting the Open Door Policy in China.

Open Door Policy

A U.S. policy proposed by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899, which called for equal trading rights and access to China's markets among all foreign powers.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China in 1900, led by the Boxers, a secret society, which targeted foreign diplomats, missionaries, and Chinese Christians.

Insular Cases

A series of Supreme Court cases in the early 20th century that determined the legal status of territories acquired by the United States, establishing that inhabitants of these territories did not necessarily have the same rights as U.S. citizens.

Teddy Roosevelt

The 26th President of the United States, known for his progressive reforms, conservation efforts, and assertive foreign policy.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Teddy Roosevelt's foreign policy approach, which emphasized negotiation and diplomacy backed by the threat of military force.

Panama Canal

A waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, constructed by the United States in the early 20th century across the Isthmus of Panama.

Russo-Japanese War

A conflict fought between Russia and Japan in 1904-1905 over territorial disputes in East Asia, which ended with Japanese victory and established Japan as a major regional power.

Treaty of Portsmouth

The peace treaty negotiated by President Theodore Roosevelt that ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.

Roosevelt Corollary

An addition to the Monroe Doctrine articulated by Theodore Roosevelt, which asserted the United States' right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European intervention and ensure stability.

Great White Fleet

A fleet of American battleships sent on a global tour by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 to demonstrate U.S. naval power and promote goodwill.

William Howard Taft

The 27th President of the United States, succeeding Theodore Roosevelt, and later Chief Justice of the United States.

Dollar Diplomacy

William Howard Taft's foreign policy approach, which sought to promote U.S. economic interests abroad through investment and diplomacy.

Woodrow Wilson

The 28th President of the United States, known for his progressive domestic policies and for leading the United States during World War I.