american imperialism

Alfred Thayer Mahan

U.S. Naval officer who promoted the idea that a strong navies and overseas bases were key to global power.

American Imperialism

The belief that the U.S. should expand its influence and control over other countries through economic, political, or military means. The U.S. gained many territories during this period.

Annexation of Hawaii

American businessmen overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893; they were led by Sanford Dole and backed by the U.S. In 1898, President McKinley approved the U.S. annexation of Hawaii after the Spanish-American War.

Battle of San Juan Hill

A productive victory in the Spanish-American War led by Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders in Cuba.

Big Stick Policy

Stated Roosevelt’s foreign policy approach

Chinese Exclusion Act

In 1882 Roosevelt prohibited Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S.

Commodore Matthew Perry

U.S. Naval officer who opened Japan to Western trade in 1854 by displaying American naval power.

Cuba

American island that gained independence from Spain after the Spanish-American War but remained under U.S. influence.

De Lome Letter

A private letter from a Spanish diplomat to Spain’s government that criticized President McKinley; helped spark U.S. anger and led to the Spanish-American War.

Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft’s foreign policy that used U.S. economic power to influence other countries.

Great White Fleet

A fleet of U.S. Navy ships sent around the world by Roosevelt to showcase American naval power (1907–1909).

Guam

American island taken by the U.S. from Spain in 1898; remains a U.S. territory.

Guantanamo Bay

A naval base in Cuba leased to the U.S. after the Spanish-American War; still operated by the U.S. today.

Hawaii

A Pacific island strongly supported American imperialism and building a powerful navy. It was annexed by the U.S. in 1898.

Henry Cabot Lodge

U.S Senator who strongly supported American imperialism and building a powerful navy. He was an imperialist.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a nation’s power and influence through diplomacy, military force, or economic means.

Isolationism

A foreign policy approach focused on avoiding political or military involvement with other countries.

John Hay

U.S. Secretary of State who proposed the open door policy to ensure equal trading rights with China.

Jose Marti

Cuban poet and revolutionary who fought for Cuba’s independence from Spain.

Lock System

A ship-passage system that raises or lowers ships between stretches of water of different elevations.

Midway

Asian Pacific islands acquired by the U.S. in 1867; used as a naval base and coaling station.

Missionaries

Religious workers who traveled abroad to convert people to Christianity; often brought U.S. cultural and political influences to foreign nations.

Monroe Doctrine

An 1823 U.S. policy warning European nations not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy promoting equal trading rights for all nations in China and the preservation of China’s territorial integrity.

Panama Canal

A man-made waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; built by the U.S. and opened in 1914.

Panama Canal Zone

Territory surrounding the Panama Canal controlled by the U.S. from 1903 to 1999; given to the U.S. as a reward for its support during the Panamanian Revolution.

Philippines

Pacific islands acquired by the U.S. after the Spanish-American War; resisted U.S. rule in the Philippine-American War.

Platt Amendment

1901 U.S. law that allowed Cuba’s independence and allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs.

Puerto Rico

Caribbean island acquired by the U.S. after the Spanish-American War.

Roosevelt Corollary

Extension of the Monroe Doctrine stating that the U.S. could intervene in Latin American nations that were unstable; U.S. would collect their debts with active police force; it was also called the Big Stick Policy.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War.

Sanford B. Dole

American businessman who led the provisional government of Hawaii after the monarchy was overthrown; served as its President and first Governor when it became a U.S. territory in 1898.

Social Darwinism

The belief that certain nations or races were superior and destined to dominate others used to justify imperialism.

Spanish-American War

A brief 1898 war between the U.S. and Spain, resulting in U.S. control of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The U.S. entered this war because of the De Lome Letter, Yellow Journalism, and the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine.

Sphere of Influence

An area where a foreign nation has special economic and political privileges. This can be expanded through territories, commerce, and political ties.

Territories

Lands under U.S. control that are not states, such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Theodore Roosevelt

26th U.S. President who supported imperialism, led the Rough Riders before he was president, and oversaw the building of the Panama Canal. He was known as a progressive and a “trust buster.”

U.S.S. Maine

American battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor; its sinking fueled calls for war with Spain during the Spanish-American War.

Wake Island

Pacific island acquired by the U.S. in 1899; used as a refueling and military outpost.

White Man’s Burden

A phrase from a poem suggesting it was the duty of Western powers to civilize non-Western peoples.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized and exaggerated news reporting used to influence public opinion and stir support for war. It was also used to sell more newspapers.