U.S. Imperialism: Historical Context and Key Concepts

Who wrote a famous essay in 1941 calling for U.S. intervention in World War II?

Henry Lewis, the editor of Time Magazine.

What significant event prompted the United States to enter World War II?

The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

What vision did Henry Lewis outline for the United States in his 1941 essay?

A vision of the U.S. as a powerful, interventionist nation and leader of the free world.

How is U.S. foreign policy after World War II generally characterized?

It is often discussed in relation to imperialism and aggressive foreign policy.

What does the term 'imperialism' mean?

It refers to when one country extends its power or influence over another, usually a weaker country.

What methods can be used for imperialism?

Military force, diplomacy, or economic pressure, such as negotiating favorable trade agreements.

What is the overarching argument of the course regarding U.S. history?

Understanding U.S. history requires understanding its relation to imperialism.

Which European countries had colonies in what is now the United States during the 15th and 16th centuries?

Spain, France, and Great Britain.

What was the relationship between European settlers and Indigenous peoples in the New World?

European settlers fought to colonize various Indigenous groups already living in the New World.

What historical context did the U.S. have regarding imperialism shortly after its independence?

The U.S. began its own imperial quest less than a century after fighting to free itself from British imperial rule.

What old world ideas influenced the U.S. during its imperial pursuits?

Ideas about race and civilization.

What was the U.S. doing while European powers were fighting for control of the New World?

U.S. settlers were colonizing Indigenous peoples while European powers were competing for dominance.

What does the course suggest about the U.S.'s emergence as an imperial power?

It emerged with a legacy of old world ideas, particularly regarding race.

What time period does the lecture focus on regarding U.S. imperialism?

Late 19th century to early 20th century.

What was the significance of Henry Lewis's essay in the context of U.S. history?

It reflects a call for the U.S. to adopt a more imperialistic stance in global affairs.

What is the relationship between the U.S. Revolutionary War and its later imperial ambitions?

The U.S. fought to shake off imperial rule but later pursued its own imperial ambitions.

What role did diplomacy play in imperialism according to the notes?

Diplomacy can be used to negotiate trade agreements that favor the imperial power.

How does the lecture suggest that imperialism is viewed in relation to U.S. history?

It is seen as a crucial aspect that shapes modern U.S. history.

What is the significance of discussing imperialism in the context of U.S. history?

It helps to understand the complexities of U.S. actions and policies on the global stage.

What is the implication of the U.S. being a former colony in relation to its imperial actions?

It highlights the irony of the U.S. adopting imperialistic practices after gaining independence.

What did the U.S. inherit from European powers in terms of imperialism?

A legacy of competing for control and influence over territories and peoples.

What themes will be explored in the course regarding U.S. imperialism?

The intersection of race, civilization, and imperialism in U.S. history.

What does the course suggest about the continuity of imperialism in U.S. policy?

Imperialistic tendencies have persisted throughout U.S. history, influencing its foreign policy.

What process did the United States engage in after becoming an independent nation?

The United States seized land and territory, expanding to the Pacific Ocean by the end of the 19th century.

What ideas influenced American imperialism?

Ideas about race and racial inferiority, imported from British, Spanish, and French imperial authorities.

How did the United States contribute to the discourse on imperialism?

The U.S. exported its own ideas about race and imperialism as it began its own imperial quest.

What overarching theme is discussed in the lecture regarding the United States?

The United States is both born out of empire and becomes an empire itself.

What methods did the United States use to control other nations?

Military force, economic influence, sophisticated diplomacy, and ideas about who is fit to rule.

Which poem by Rudyard Kipling captures the language of American imperialism?

The White Man's Burden.

When was 'The White Man's Burden' first published?

In 1899, in McClure's magazine.

What does the phrase 'The White Man's Burden' imply about American imperialism?

It suggests that it was America's duty to educate, Christianize, and civilize peoples judged as inferior.

How was the language of 'The White Man's Burden' characterized?

It presented colonized people as less civilized and in need of control by superior nations.

What justification did the United States use for its imperialist policies?

The belief that it was America's job to civilize non-white peoples around the world.

What was the Monroe Doctrine?

A policy that forbade European nations from colonizing parts of Northern and South America.

Why did the United States establish the Monroe Doctrine?

To prevent foreign powers from threatening U.S. stability and control in its backyard.

What historical context surrounded the establishment of the Monroe Doctrine?

The United States was a young nation, recently independent from colonial rule.

What was the significance of the Monroe Doctrine for the United States?

It asserted the U.S. as a powerful nation alongside older European governments.

How did the concept of the 'White Man's Burden' influence Western colonial powers?

It was used to justify repressive imperialist policies and the colonization of various regions.

In what regions did the United States take up the so-called 'White Man's Burden'?

Latin America, Africa, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.

What ongoing impact does the lecture suggest American imperialism has today?

The U.S. continues to engage in imperialistic practices around the world.

What is the relationship between American imperialism and ideas about race?

Racial superiority was used to justify the control and colonization of other nations.

Who was President during the establishment of the Monroe Doctrine?

President James Monroe.

What was the effect of the Monroe Doctrine on European colonial ambitions in the Americas?

It effectively ended European colonization efforts in Northern and South America.

How did the United States view foreign powers in relation to its own stability?

The U.S. viewed foreign powers as a threat to its stability and control.

What does the term 'imperialation' refer to in the context of the lecture?

The process by which the United States became an empire, influenced by imperial ideas.

What role did diplomacy play in American imperialism according to the notes?

Diplomacy was one of the methods used to exert control over other nations.

What was the U.S. stance on colonization in the 1820s?

The U.S. declared that no one would colonize anything in its region.

How did the U.S. exhibit colonialist tendencies in the late 19th century?

The U.S. engaged in imperialism, particularly in the context of American expansion and the Indian Wars.

What war is considered the beginning of the U.S.'s imperial mission abroad?

The Spanish-American War in 1898.

Why is the Spanish-American War referred to as such?

It involved a conflict between the U.S. and Spain over control of Cuba.

What was Cuba's situation leading up to the Spanish-American War?

Cuba had been fighting for independence from Spanish colonial rule for about 30 years.

Since when had Cuba been a Spanish colony?

Since the 15th century, when Christopher Columbus claimed it for Spain.

What was the U.S. response to Cuba's fight for independence before 1898?

The U.S. was aware of the struggle but did not officially support Cuban independence.

What did the U.S. offer Spain regarding Cuba before the war?

The U.S. offered to buy Cuba from Spain several times, but Spain refused.

What significant action did the U.S. take in early 1898 regarding Cuba?

The U.S. sent the USS Maine warship into Havana Harbor.

How did Spain perceive the U.S. sending the USS Maine to Havana?

Spain viewed it as a hostile act.

What happened to the USS Maine in Havana Harbor?

It exploded under mysterious circumstances.

What was the American public's reaction to the explosion of the USS Maine?

Many believed that Spain had attacked the ship, leading to public outrage.

What role did Yellow Journalism play in the lead-up to the Spanish-American War?

Yellow Journalism sensationalized the explosion of the USS Maine, fueling public demand for war.

What did American newspapers claim about the USS Maine's destruction?

They claimed it was the work of an enemy, despite a lack of evidence.

What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War for the U.S.?

The U.S. Navy defeated Spain and forced it to surrender in Cuba.

What territories did the U.S. gain control of as a result of the Spanish-American War?

The U.S. gained control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Hawaii, and the Philippines.

What was the contradiction in the U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War?

The U.S. claimed to help Cuba fight for independence while also seeking control over it.

How long had Cubans been fighting for independence before the Spanish-American War?

About 30 years.

What was the U.S. attitude towards Spain's proximity to its borders before the war?

The U.S. disliked having Spain close to its borders.

What was the USS Maine carrying when it exploded?

It was carrying munitions.

What was the public sentiment in the U.S. after the explosion of the USS Maine?

There was widespread anger and a call for retaliation against Spain.

What was the nature of the peace treaty that ended the Spanish-American War?

It favored U.S. interests more than those of Cuba.

What does the term 'Yellow Journalism' refer to?

Sensationalist news reporting that exaggerates or fabricates stories to provoke public interest.

What was the significance of the Spanish-American War in the context of American imperialism?

It marked a key moment in U.S. expansion and control over foreign territories.

What was the outcome of the war for Cuban independence?

The United States emerged as the victor, but Cuba did not become a fully independent nation.

What did the terms of surrender grant the United States regarding Cuba?

Temporary control over Cuba while the country wrote a new constitution.

What significant amendment was included in the Cuban Constitution?

The Platt Amendment.

Who was the Platt Amendment named after?

A Connecticut Senator who helped write it.

What rights did the Platt Amendment grant the United States?

The right to approve all Cuban treaties and intervene in domestic affairs.

How did the Platt Amendment affect Cuba's autonomy?

It limited Cuba's autonomy by requiring U.S. approval for treaties and allowing U.S. intervention in domestic matters.

What status did the Platt Amendment effectively give to Cuba?

It made Cuba a protectorate of the United States.

Until when did Cuba remain a protectorate of the United States?

Into the 1930s.

What naval base did the United States maintain in Cuba?

Guantanamo Bay.

What conflict arose in the Philippines after the Spanish-American War?

The United States went to war against Filipino nationalists seeking independence.

When did the Filipino rebellion against U.S. control end?

In 1902.

What was the nature of the conflict in the Philippines?

It was a vicious and bloody war that cost many Filipino lives.

What type of government did the United States install in the Philippines after the rebellion?

A public government that allowed continued U.S. influence in Filipino affairs.

Until when did U.S. control over the Philippines last?

Until 1946, after World War II.

What was a common justification for U.S. imperialism mentioned in the lecture?

Racialized language.

What was the significance of the U.S. intervention in Cuba and the Philippines?

It reflected the U.S. desire to maintain control and influence over newly independent nations.

What was the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba after the Platt Amendment?

The U.S. had significant oversight and control over Cuban affairs.

What historical context does the lecture suggest about U.S. imperialism?

It was often justified through racialized narratives.

What was the impact of the U.S. actions in the Philippines on Filipino lives?

The actions led to significant loss of life and resentment towards U.S. rule.

How did the U.S. involvement in Cuba and the Philippines shape their future?

It established a pattern of U.S. control and influence that lasted for decades.

What was the broader implication of the U.S. actions in these territories?

It contributed to the formation of the American administrative empire.

What was the reaction of Filipino nationalists to U.S. control?

They were understandably angry and sought their own independence.

What does the lecture suggest about the nature of U.S. imperialism?

It often involved military intervention and control over local governance.

What did Senator Albert Bridge of Indiana claim about the U.S. in his 1900 speech regarding the Philippines?

He claimed that God marked the American people as his chosen nation to lead and regenerate the world.

How did the language used by Senator Bridge relate to American expansionism in the 19th century?

It was used to justify Westward expansion into Native American territory and the bloody Indian wars.

What concept was embodied in racialized cartoons during the era of American imperialism?

The concept of a superior U.S. and Western Europe civilizing and democratizing 'inferior' brown and black people around the world.

What did the cartoons featuring Uncle Sam and Great Britain illustrate about American attitudes?

They depicted the idea of American superiority and the mission to rescue other nations from ignorance and barbarism.

How was Theodore Roosevelt viewed in relation to American imperialism?

He was a prominent leader who strongly believed in the U.S. imperial mission and the white man's burden.

What was Theodore Roosevelt's role in the Spanish-American War?

He served as a volunteer in the Rough Riders and resigned from his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to fight.

What ideology did Theodore Roosevelt pursue regarding U.S. intervention in other nations?

He pursued the ideology of the 'white man's burden' and believed in a divine right to intervene in weaker nations.