American Imperialism Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key foreign policies, conflicts, treaties, key figures, and concepts of late 19th and early 20th century American Imperialism.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news and fake or dramatic stories about Spain printed by newspapers to fuel public support and push the United States toward war.

José Martí

Cuban poet and revolutionary leader against Spanish rule who sought complete freedom and independence for Cuba.

Platt Amendment

An agreement that allowed the United States to intervene military-wise in Cuban affairs, establish a naval base, and maintain control over Cuba's choices.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino leader who fought against U.S. control after expecting Philippine independence following the defeat of Spain.

Anti-Imperialist League

A group that opposed U.S. overseas expansion, arguing that taking over foreign land was anti-American, undemocratic, and bad for local workers.

Philippine-American War

A 3-year conflict that caused hundreds of thousands of deaths from fighting, sickness, and hunger as the U.S. established control over the islands.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Agreement that ended the Spanish-American War, ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

African American Soldiers

Military forces who fought bravely for the U.S. during late 19th-century conflicts while continuing to face harsh racism at home and in the army.

Panama Canal

A waterway constructed through Central America connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to let U.S. navy and cargo ships cross much faster.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty

Diplomatic agreement that gave the U.S. total endless power over the Canal Zone in Panama, demonstrating American dominance in Central America.

Roosevelt Corollary

A supplement to the Monroe Doctrine asserting U.S. international police power to intervene in Latin America and prevent European military interventions.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval strategist who argued that global power depends on sea power, influencing U.S. foreign policy to build a modern steel navy and a Central American canal.

John Hay

U.S. Secretary of State famous for promoting the Open Door Policy to keep China open to trade with all nations.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy intended to prevent foreign powers from partitioning China, maintaining equal trading rights for all nations and preserving Chinese territorial integrity.

Boxer Rebellion

An uprising in China directed against foreign influence, foreign powers, and missionaries.

Dollar Diplomacy

U.S. policy of using government and economic power to promote American business interests in foreign countries, particularly Latin America.

U.S.S. Maine

American naval vessel whose explosion in Cuba pushed the United States into war with Spain.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt that became heroes of the Spanish-American War at the Battle of San Juan Hill.

William Seward

U.S. Secretary of State famous for his acquisition of Alaska.

Pearl Harbor

Valuable U.S. naval base located in Hawaii.

San Juan Hill

The battle in Cuba during the Spanish-American War in which Theodore Roosevelt became a war hero.

Spheres of Influence

Areas in China where foreign powers controlled trade and resources.

Great White Fleet

U.S. navy fleet sent on a world tour to demonstrate American naval power.

Imperialism

Policy of extending a country's power through diplomacy or military force to establish control over weaker countries.

Self-Determination

The principle that people have the right to choose their own government, which conflicted with U.S. foreign intervention and annexation without local consent.

Annexation of Hawaii

The overthrow of native leadership, including the queen, driven by foreign business interests to eliminate tariffs on sugar imports.