America as a world power

annexation

the formal act of adding a territory to your own territory; this can be done through conquest, occupation, or legal measures

imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, socially, and economically; or The practice of nations controlling other nations outside of their own home territory

Open Door Policy

A policy proposed by the US in 1899, under which ALL nations would have equal opportunities to trade in China

Boxer Rebellion

A 1900 Uprising in China aimed at ending foreign influence in the country

Spanish-American War

Conflict between the U.S. and Spain that began the rise of the U.S. as a world power. The U.S. gained possession of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as a result

American-Philippine War

Armed conflict between the Philippines and the United States from 1899-1902. It was a continuation of the Philippine struggle for independence. The Philippines declared war on the US and it became a savage conflict with guerilla warfare

Yellow Journalism

journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers

Teller Amendment

part of the declaration of war against Spain in which Congress pledged that Cuba would be freed and not annexed by the United States as a result of the conflict

Platt Amendment

Following its military occupation, the United States successfully pressured the Cuban government to write this amendment into its constitution. It limited Cuba's treaty-making abilities, controlled its debt, and stipulated that the United States could intervene militarily to restore order when it saw fit

Panama Canal

canal built by the United States in Panama in order to drastically reduce the amount of time involved with trade (connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans)

Monroe Doctrine

Declared that Europe should not interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere and that any attempt at interference by a European power would be seen as a threat to the U.S. (1823)

Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt's 1904 extension of the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the United States has the right to protect its economic interests in South And Central America by using military force

Big Stick Diplomacy

President Roosevelt's foreign policy to 'speak softly, and carry a big stick.' This was the idea of negotiating peacefully, while also threatening with the military

USS Maine

Ship that explodes off the coast of Cuba in Havana harbor and helps contribute to the start of the Spanish-American War

Dollar Diplomacy

Foreign policy created under President Taft that had the U.S. exchanging financial support ($) for the right to 'help' countries make decisions about trade and other commercial ventures. Basically it was exchanging money for political influence in Latin America and the Caribbean

Moral Diplomacy

Foreign policy proposed by President Wilson to condemn imperialism, spread democracy, and promote peace. Exchanging opportunities to receive support and benefits from the US for doing the same things as the US (democracy, capitalism, etc)

Sphere of Influence

An area in which an outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting

War Reparations

As part of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was ordered to pay fines to the Allies to repay the costs of the war. Opposed by the U.S., it quickly led to a severe depression in Germany

Militarism

A policy of glorifying military power and keeping a standing army always prepared for war

Alliances

Agreements between countries to help each other in times of military conflict

Nationalism

Intense pride in one's country

Isolationism

A national policy of avoiding involvement in world affairs

Selective Service Act

act passed by Congress in 1917 authorizing a draft of men for military service

Neutral

Not favoring either side

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria's alliance during the war (and others at different times)

Allied Powers

France, Great Britain, Russia's alliance during the war (and others at different times, including the United States)

Luisitania

British passenger ship that was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915; 1200 people died and 128 Americans died

Zimmerman Telegram

A telegram Germany Sent to Mexico to convince Mexico to attack the U.S.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty that ended WW I. It blamed Germany for WWI and handed down harsh punishment

Fourteen Points

Woodrow Wilson's peace proposal that asserted people's right to self-determination

League of Nations

International peacekeeping organization created at the end of World War I

Reparations

Payment for war damages

Kellogg-Briand Pact

an agreement to outlaw war signed on August 27, 1928. Sometimes called the Pact of Paris for the city in which it was signed, the pact was one of many international efforts to prevent another World War, but it had little effect in stopping the rising militarism of the 1930s or preventing World War II. Signed by France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Italy and Japan

Washington Naval Conference

the world's largest naval powers gathered in Washington for a conference to discuss naval disarmament and ways to relieve growing tensions in East Asia

Dawes PLAN

An agreement between the Allies and Germany to temporarily relieve the reparations Germany was due to pay as a result of the conditions set forth in the Treaty of Versailles. It was mostly a measure to prevent future conflict and help Germany rebound economically

Fordney-McCumber Tariff

A tax on imported goods that was the highest ever for America at the time (1922). It was instituted by America as a way to encourage and enforce buying American goods instead of foreign goods