Imperialism Vocab 1-26

Commodore George Dewey

A U.S. naval officer known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

Battle of Manila Bay

A naval battle on May 1, 1898, where Commodore Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet.

Battle of San Juan Hill

A battle on July 1, 1898, where the Rough Riders, led by Roosevelt, captured a key position in Cuba.

Annexation of Hawaii

The process by which the U.S. formally acquired Hawaii in 1898 after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

The treaty that ended the Spanish-American War, ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S.

Platt Amendment

An amendment that allowed U.S. intervention in Cuba and established a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Philippines

Acquired by the U.S. for $20 million; sparked debate over imperialism.

Guam

A small Pacific island ceded to the U.S. by Spain, still a U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico

An island ceded to the U.S. by Spain, currently an unincorporated U.S. territory.

Guantanamo Bay

A U.S. naval base in Cuba established under the Platt Amendment.

The American Lake

A term describing the Caribbean and Pacific as areas of U.S. dominance and influence.

Jingoism

Extreme nationalism and aggressive foreign policy advocating the use of force for national interests.

Alabama

Refers to the CSS Alabama, a Confederate warship central to the Alabama Claims dispute.

William H. Seward

Secretary of State known for the purchase of Alaska from Russia, dubbed Seward's Folly.

Elihu Root

Secretary of State who emphasized diplomacy and military readiness.

John Hay

Secretary of State known for the Open Door policy in China and maintaining peaceful relations.

Seward’s Folly

The 1867 purchase of Alaska seen initially as a waste, later valued for its resources.

Josiah Strong Our Country

A minister who argued for the U.S. duty to spread civilization and Christianity. Supported American exceptionalism and social darwinism

Pan-Americanism and James G. Blaine

The idea of cooperation among the nations of the Americas, advocated by —-

Queen Liliuokalani

Last monarch of Hawaii, overthrown in 1893 to facilitate U.S. annexation.

Cleveland and Hawaii

President Cleveland opposed Hawaii's annexation, seeking to restore the queen but failed.

Alfred T. Mahan: The Influence of Seapower upon History

Naval officer whose work influenced U.S. imperialism and naval expansion.

Venezuela boundary dispute (1895)

A territorial dispute where the U.S. supported Venezuela, employing the Monroe Doctrine.

White Man’s Burden

A phrase suggesting it was the duty of white powers to 'civilize' non-Western peoples.

Yellow journalism

Sensationalized news reporting that swayed public opinion for the Spanish-American War.

William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer

Newspaper publishers who used yellow journalism to influence public sentiment.

Reconcentration policy

Spanish policy relocating Cuban civilians to camps during the Cuban War for Independence.

Maine

The U.S. battleship whose explosion in Havana Harbor contributed to the Spanish-American War.

de Lome letter

A letter criticizing McKinley that inflamed anti-Spanish sentiment in the U.S.

Teller Amendment

An amendment stating the U.S. would not annex Cuba but support its independence.

Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry regiment led by Roosevelt, key to victories in the Spanish-American War.