American Imperialism and Its Impact (1898-1945)

Imperialism

Expansion of influence over another country politically, economically, militarily.

Seward's Folly

Purchase of Alaska, initially criticized but later valued.

Closing of the Frontier

End of westward expansion, prompting overseas interests.

Imperialists

Supporters of expansion for resources and markets.

Anti-Imperialists

Opponents of expansion, valuing self-determination.

Social Darwinism

Justification for imperialism based on survival of the fittest.

Josiah Strong

Promoted imperialism through racial superiority and Christianity.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval strategist emphasizing sea power's importance.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news to provoke public support for war.

USS Maine

Ship explosion that catalyzed the Spanish-American War.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy for free trade in China without colonies.

Progressives

Reformers advocating for social and political changes.

Muckrakers

Journalists exposing corruption and social injustices.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of U.S. senators.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol in the United States.

Teddy Roosevelt

President known for trust-busting and conservation efforts.

Total War

Complete mobilization of resources for war efforts.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

Laws limiting free speech during wartime.

Red Scare

Anti-communist hysteria following World War I.

Lusitania

Passenger ship sunk by Germany, killing Americans.

Zimmermann Telegram

Germany's proposal to Mexico, prompting U.S. war declaration.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty aiming for stability, U.S. rejected League.

Flapper

Symbol of women's liberation in the 1920s.

Nativism

Anti-immigrant sentiment leading to restrictive laws.

Great Migration

African Americans moved North for better opportunities.

Harlem Renaissance

Cultural movement celebrating African American arts.

Modernism

Cultural shift emphasizing new ideas and forms.

Rural Fundamentalism

Traditional values opposing modernist views.

Scopes Trial

Legal case on teaching evolution in schools.

Consumer Culture

Society focused on mass production and consumption.

Great Depression

Economic downturn starting with the 1929 stock market crash.

New Deal

Roosevelt's programs aimed at economic recovery.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

New Deal program providing jobs in conservation.

Political Realignment

Shift of marginalized groups to the Democratic Party.

Economic Mobilization

WWII efforts that ended the Great Depression.

Japanese-American Internment

Relocation of over 100,000 Japanese Americans during WWII.

Island-Hopping

Military strategy used in the Pacific during WWII.

D-Day Invasion

Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

U.S. Superpower Status

Post-WWII emergence as a global leader.

Cold War

Tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union post-WWII.

Marshall Plan

U.S. initiative to aid European recovery after WWII.

NATO

Military alliance formed to counter Soviet expansion.

United Nations

International organization established to promote peace.

Isolationism

America's historical reluctance to engage in foreign conflicts.

Imperialism

Expansion of a nation's power through territorial acquisition.

Anti-Imperialism

Opposition to the expansion of U.S. territories.

Racial Arguments

Debate on citizenship for non-white conquered populations.

Spanish-American War

Conflict in 1898 marking U.S. imperialism's rise.

Cuban Independence

Cuban nationalists fought against Spanish colonial rule.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news to boost newspaper sales.

USS Maine

Naval ship explosion that sparked the Spanish-American War.

Platt Amendment

Allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs post-war.

Philippine-American War

Conflict following U.S. annexation of the Philippines.

Open Door Policy

U.S. strategy to ensure trade access in China.

Progressives

Reformers advocating for government intervention in social issues.

Muckrakers

Journalists exposing corruption and societal issues.

Upton Sinclair

Author of 'The Jungle', exposing meatpacking industry issues.

Ida Tarbell

Investigative journalist focused on Standard Oil corruption.

Economic Imperialism

Expansion of influence through economic means rather than military.

Cuban Struggle

Cuban fight for independence began in 1895.

William Randolph Hearst

Publisher known for sensationalist journalism during the war.

Joseph Pulitzer

Journalist who popularized yellow journalism techniques.

Hawaii Annexation

U.S. acquisition of Hawaii in 1898 for imperial expansion.

Spanish Atrocities

Exaggerated claims by journalists to rally public support.

Semi-Independent Nation

Cuba's status post-war, limited by U.S. intervention.

Secret Ballot

Voting method ensuring privacy for voters.

Initiatives

Voter-driven proposals for new laws.

Recall

Process to remove elected officials from office.

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol sales and consumption.

Scientific Management

Efficiency principles applied to business operations.

Frederick Taylor

Pioneer of scientific management in factories.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Legalized racial segregation under 'separate but equal'.

Niagara Movement

Advocated for civil rights for African Americans.

NAACP

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Square Deal

Teddy Roosevelt's fair treatment policy for all.

Trust Buster

Nickname for Roosevelt's anti-monopoly efforts.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Regulated food and pharmaceutical safety.

Meat Inspection Act

Established sanitary standards for meatpacking.

Total War

Mobilization of all resources for war effort.

Espionage Act

1917 law restricting anti-war speech.

Sedition Act

1918 law prohibiting disloyal speech.

Schenck v. United States

Case limiting free speech during wartime.

Palmer Raids

Crackdown on suspected radicals post-WWI.

Emergency Quota Act

1921 law limiting immigration numbers.

Great Migration

Movement of African Americans to northern cities.

Sinking of the Lusitania

1915 event leading to U.S. war involvement.

Zimmermann Telegram

German proposal for alliance with Mexico.

Internment of Japanese Americans

Forced relocation during WWII due to prejudice.

U.S. as a Superpower

Post-WWII status influencing global politics.