American Expansion Key Words

Yellow Journalism

A form of reporting that exaggerated actions by the Spain in Cuba. The reporting promoted war fever in the US and led to increased support for the US to get involved with Spain in the war.

Josiah Strong

A Protestant reverend who thought that Protestants had a duty to colonize lands to spread Christianity and their superiority. Similarly, many other missionaries believed in white supremacy and felt the need to spread the religion, leading to support of US government involvement in foreign policies.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

A US Navy captain who wrote a book (The Influence of Sea Power Upon History) arguing that a strong navy was crucial to becoming a world power

Led to an increased push for the US government to increase naval investments and acquire overseas islands (Samoa) to use as coaling and supplying stations.

Teddy Roosevelt

Republican governor of NY and eventual POTUS who was allied with business leaders

This alliance led to a push for increase in foreign affairs to search for new markets.

General Valeriano Weyler

Spanish general who was sent to Cuba to prevent the rebellion, and put civilians into armed camps

Gave reason for the United States to start the Spanish-American war, as it conflicted with the Monroe Doctrine, leading to international involvement against the Spanish

James Blaine

Secretary of State from Maine who pushed for and created the Pan-American Conference in Washington

Conference brought the US closer to its southern neighbors, leading the US to be more connected and involved with nearby international neighbors.

USS Maine

A battleship that accidentally exploded in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, killing 260 Americans

Yellow Journalism blamed Spain for the explosion, leading to more anger against Spain and more of a push to go to war with Spain.

de Lôme letter

A Spanish diplomat's letter that was leaked to the press, where the Spanish minister to the de Lôme was critical of President McKinley

Led to more anger against Spain and more reason to get involved nationally

Emilio Aguinaldo

The Filipino national leader who first fought alongside the US in the war. However, amid the controversy over the American acquisition of the Philippines, he led guerrilla fighters against the US after the Spanish-American war

Rough Riders

A regiment of volunteers led by Teddy Roosevelt that heavily aided the United States in the takeover of San Juan Hill. That takeover alongside the takeover of Santiago Bay led to Spain asking for peace and ending the Spanish-American War

Anti-Imperialist League

An organization that was established to prevent the annexation of the Philippines, a territorial acquisition of the war. They were backed by the idea that republics are not supposed to govern those who do not want to be governed.

Foraker Act

A US law that established civilian government in the colonial island of Puerto Rico, territory acquired from the Spanish-American War. Led to political debate over the rule of the colony.

Insular Cases

A series of Supreme Court cases that ruled constitutional rights were not extended to new territory and that right belonged to Congress. This appealed to the imperialists, who did not want new Spanish-American war territory to have constitutional rights

Platt Amendment

An amendment that banned Cuba from signing a foreign treaties, let the US intervene with Cuba's affairs, and allowed US military bases in Cuba. Cuba had to accept these terms for US troops to withdraw its posts from the Spanish-American War

Open Door Policy

A policy established with other national powers in China that pushed for equal trade there.

Shows American willingness to resolve conflicts with foreign nations and American expansion into China

Boxer Rebellion

Chinese nationalists who attacked foreign settlements and murdered Christian missionaries.

In order to protect US lives, US troops alongside international forces had to crush the rebellion and force China to pay for the casualties, further reinforcing American authority in China.

Panama Canal

A canal established in Central America to connect US to new territory acquired from the Spanish American War.

The successful construction of the canal meant easier access to current and potentially new territories that were deemed unreachable previously, and US authority over other countries.

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

A treaty between the US and Great Britain that stated that any canal that was to be built in Central America would be in joint control.

The treaty was broken by another resolution to build the Panama Canal, which helped the US expand their territory by making access to the Philippines and Asia easier.

Teller Amendment

A joint resolution by Congress calling for war, stating that Cuba would not be fully taken over and the people would still control the government.

This would turn out to be far from the truth, as the US would assert their government over the Cubans until Fidel Castro, showing how the US was willing to not follow resolutions to expand.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Roosevelt's idea that the US should "speak softly and carry a big stick", or negotiate peacefully but use military strength when things go wrong.

Roosevelt and the US used this ideology to build the US as a world power and get involved in global politics.

Gentlemen’s Agreement

A deal between the US and Japan where Japan agreed to restrict emigration of Japanese to the US for Californian repeal of discriminatory laws.

The treaty was also seen as an American strategy to mitigate tensions between the countries in order to continue American influence elsewhere in Asia.

Great White Fleet

US battleship fleet that was sent around the world, especially to Japan

It was sent by President Roosevelt to flex the US naval power and show its ability to expand if it came to it

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

A policy implemented by Roosevelt that led the US defend and collect Latin American debts that the country owed to European creditors.

Shows how the US was able more willing to get involved in Latin America countries to prevent European intervention