APUSH Unit 7 Vocab A

Alaska Purchase

As a result of Seward’s lobbying, and also in appreciation of Russian support during the Civil War, Congress in 1867 agreed to buy Alaska for $7.2 million.

Annexation of Hawaii

American settlers in 1893 aided in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarch, Queen Liliuokalani and then petitioned for annexation by the United States.

Imperialism

is a policy or ideology in which a country extends its rule over other nations or territories through colonization, military force, or other means.

Alfred T. Mahan

was a United States naval officer and historian, whose writings on naval strategy influenced naval powers around the world. He argued that a strong navy is crucial to a country’s ambitions of securing foreign markets and becoming a world power.

Great White Fleet

was a group of United States Navy battleships that embarked on a world tour from 1907 to 1909 to demonstrate American naval power.

Expansionist

is a person or policy that supports extending a nation's territory or influence, often through colonization or military conquest.

Josiah Strong

was a Protestant clergyman and author who advocated for American expansionism and the idea of spreading Christianity and democracy to other nations.

Anti-Imperialist League

was an organization founded in 1898 to oppose the annexation of the Philippines and other imperialist actions by the United States. Believed in self-determination and govern themselves. Rejection of racial theories and supported isolationism.

Pan-American Conference

is a series of meetings held by countries in the Americas to discuss issues of mutual interest and promote cooperation. James Blaine hoped to reduce tariff rates.

Jingoism

refers to an extreme patriotism and nationalist fervor, often characterized by aggressive foreign policy or militarism. Led to popular demand for war against Spain.

Cuban Revolt

was an uprising that began in 1895 against Spanish rule in Cuba, ultimately leading to the Spanish-American War. Hoped to push Spain out or pull the US in as an ally. Spain sent General Valeriano Weyler to crush the revolt. Earned him the “Butcher” in the US press.

Yellow Journalism

is a style of sensationalized news reporting that exaggerates or distorts information to attract attention and sell newspapers. These papers printed exaggerated and false accounts of Spanish atrocities in Cuba. Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World and William Hearst’s New York Journal.

USS Maine

was an American battleship that sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, prompting the U.S. to engage in the Spanish-American War. Exploded and killed 260 Americans on board and the yellow press accused Spain.

Teller Amendment

was a resolution passed by the United States Congress in 1898, stating that the U.S. would not annex Cuba following the Spanish-American War.

George Dewey

was a United States naval officer notable for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Allied with Filipino rebels, US troops captured the city of Manila on August 13th.

Treaty of Paris 1899

officially ended the Spanish-American War and established the terms for the transfer of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the United States. Recognized Cuban Independence, US acquisition of Puerto Rico and Guam, US control of the Philippines in return for $20 million payment to Spain. Anti Imperialists were determined to defeat the treaty. It was approved in Congress.

Emilio Aguinaldo

was a Filipino revolutionary leader who played a key role in the Philippine struggle for independence from Spanish rule and later fought against American colonization. He led bands of guerrilla fighters in a war against the US and resulted in deaths of 5000 people from the US.

Insular Cases

are a series of U.S. Supreme Court cases from the early 1900s that addressed the status of U.S. territories acquired in the Spanish-American War, determining that the Constitution does not automatically extend to these territories. Resolved in favor of the imperialists and ruled that constitution rights were not automatically extended to territorial possessions and power of rights belonged to Congress.

Platt Amendment

was a provision added to the Cuban constitution in 1901, allowing the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and establishing a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

John Hay

As McKinley’s Secretary of State, he was alarmed that the Chinese empire, weakened by political corruption and failure to modernize, was falling under the control of various outside powers. Established spheres of influence.

Open Door Policy

was a U.S. diplomatic principle initiated in 1899, aimed at ensuring equal trading rights for all nations in China and preventing any single power from monopolizing trade with China.

Boxer Rebellion

Nationalism and xenophobia were rising in China. A secret society of Chinese Nationalists- the Boxers- attacked foreign settlements and murdered hundreds of Christian missionaries. US crushed rebellion in Beijing and forced China to pay a huge indemnity.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Theodore Roosevelt described his foreign policy as to “speak softly and carry a big stick” and the press used it to explain his aggressive foreign policy.

Treaty of Hay-Bunau-Varilla

In the Revolution in Panama, Roosevelt orchestrated a revolt and was successful without bloodshed. The new independent government of Panama had to sign a treaty that granted US all rights along the Canal Zone.

Panama Canal

Hundreds of laborers lost their lives and the Canal was completed thanks in great measure to George Goethals, the chief engineer, and Dr William Gorgas, whose efforts eliminated the mosquitos that spread deadly yellow fever.

Roosevelt Corollary

The United States would send gunboats to a Latin American country that was delinquent in paying its debt. Roosevelt declared that he would intervene if it was determined necessary.

Russia-Japanese War

War with Russia and Japan where Japan was winning. Roosevelt arranged a diplomatic conference between the two forces at Portsmouth and both nations agreed to the treaty.

Treaty of Portsmouth

Japan and Russian treaty where Japanese nationalists blamed the US for not giving their country all that they believed they deserved from Russia.

Gentlemen’s Agreement

Japanese children attended segregated schools in US and was insulted so Roosevelt compromised by an informal understanding.

Root-Takahira Agreement

US and Japan concluded an important executive agreement where they pledged mutual respect for each nation’s Pacific possessions and support for the Open Door policy in China.

Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft adopted a foreign policy that was mildly expansionist but depended more on investors dollars than on navy battleships.

Jones Act

President Wilson granted full territorial status to the Philippines, guaranteed a bill of rights and universal male suffrage to it’s citizens and promised independence as soon as a stable government was established.

Tampico Incident

Wilson called for an arms embargo against the Mexican government and sent a fleet to blockade the port of Vera Cruz. Sailors were arrested but released. Wilson retaliated by ordering the navy to occupy Veracruz. Argentina, Brazil, and Chile offered to mediate the situation.

Pancho Villa

Huerta fell from power and the new government was challenged by rebels loyal to Pancho Villa. Led raids across US-Mexican border and murders several people. Used expeditionary force to pursue. President Carranza protested US presence in Mexico.

John J. Pershing

President Wilson ordered the General to pursue Villa into northern Mexico which failed and was then withdrawn by US entry into WW1

Expeditionary Force

Pursue Villa in Northern Mexico which failed

Progressives

Protestant church leaders, African Americans, union leaders, and feminists. They believed that specialty needed changes to limit power of big businesses. Government was the proper agency for making these changes and believed in moderate reforms were usually better than radical ones.

Muckrakers

Writers who focused on negative stories about corruption in business and politics.

Australian Ballot

Massachusetts adopted a system of issuing ballots printed by the state and requiring voters to mark their choices secretly within a private booth. By 1910, all states adopted this.

Direct Primary

Bypassing politicians and placing the nominating process directly into the hands of the voters. In 1915, all states adopted this. However many politicians confused voters and splitting the anti political machine vote

17th Amendment

In 1913, an amendment made all US senators be elected by popular vote.

Initiative

A method by which voters could compel the legislature to consider a bill

Recall

Enabled voters to remove a corrupt or unsatisfactory politician from office by majority vote before the term expired.

Referendum

A method that allowed citizens to vote on proposed laws printed in their ballots.

National Child Labor Committee

Proposed model state child labor laws that were passed by two-thirds of the states by 1907.

18th Amendment

granted Congress and state legislatures the power to enforce Prohibition by passing legislation.

Compulsory School Attendance

Laws that proved most effective in keeping children out of mines and factories.

Muller v. Oregon

The high court ruled that the health of women needed special protection from long hours.