Afro USH Unit 5: American Imperialism

William McKinley

U.S President during the Cuban War (1898) - responsible for Philippine annexation and “liberation” of Cuba

U.S.S Maine

Accidental destruction of warship - manipulated by Yellow Journalists the public to blame the Spanish and increase tensions

Yellow Journalism

Media written to stir up American Public - full of falsification or outright lies about current day events to sell newspapers

Spanish American War

(1898) - U.S wanted to have access to sugar in Cuba, power over Cuba, wanted access to trade with China and the Philippines

“Smoked Yankees”

U.S Army Regiments of African American Soldiers during War in Cuba

Platt Amendment

Allowed United States to intervene in Cuban affairs to “maintain order” - Cuba (essentially) a protectorate of the U.S

Phillippine Annexation

U.S wanted trade with China - felt U.S needed to “Uplift and Christianize” Filipinos

Black Soldiers in the Phillippines

African American soldiers realize they are fighting for the oppression of the Filipino people, causing them to leave the U.S army or fight for Filipino Armines

Open Door Policy

Guaranteed free trade for all Europeans and Japanese to China, established greater U.S influence trade - wise

Teddy Roosevelt

(1901 - 1909): Believed in “Big Stick Policy” to advance power and influence globally, created the “Progressive/Bull Moose” party

“Big Stick Policy”

Roosevelt foreign policy “Speak softly and carry a big stick” - Pressures neighboring countries to do what the U.S wants (particularly South America)

Roosevelt Corollary

Addition to Monroe Doctrine: Allows U.S to police independence of Central and South American countries - working to ensure countries “develop in a way that is in the best interest of the region”

Panama Canal

Created under President Theodore Roosevelt to provide the U.S. economic benefits, extend its global influence, and enhance trade markets

William H. Taft

(1908) - Believed in “Dollar Diplomacy and established the Banana Republics

“Dollar Diplomacy”

President Taft foreign policy: using financial strength to achieve foreign policy goals, encouraging Latin American countries to settle debts with European powers to make them economically dependent on the U.S

Banana Republics

A politically unstable country with a limited agricultural economy often ruled by a small, wealthy, and corrupt elite (typically in Latin America)

Woodrow Wilson

(1912) - President through WWI w/ similar policies foreign policies to Taft and Roosevelt (including U.S. involvement in the Mexican Revolution and maintaining imperial influence in the region)

“Make the World Safe for Democracy”

Wilson’s reasoning for entering the U.S in WWI - incredibly hypocritical due to limitations on free speech, war bonds, German anti-semitism, etc

Black Soldiers in WWI

Not allowed to have positions above white soldiers but Black officers allowed to lead Black Soldiers, often forced to work in dangerous conditions despite high job qualification and serve in menial capacities

14 Point Plan (“The 14 Points”)

Re-define the world “post war” - Spread internationalist liberal democracy

What did the transition from expansionism to imperialism look like? (4 Key Concepts)

1). Increasing American prestige through building an empire
2). Desire for new markets to continue economic growth
3). Desire a strong navy to control global trade networks
4). Idea of “The White Man’s Burden”: Civilizing and uplifting “poor backward Savages” outside (and inside) of the U.S. Seen as incredibly progressive

Why did many Black soldiers during the war in the Philippines empathize with the Filipino People?

Black soldiers saw correlation between racism against Black People and U.S and imperialist oppression brought by white soldiers against Filipino people. 

Blacks on the Homefront

The government relied on the Black community to produce and conserve food during the war, black press used to encourage support for the war effort

Nannie Helen Burroughs

Prominent leader on Black homefront during WWI who was labeled as “unpatriotic” for criticizing the President