AP US History - Foreign Affairs

William Seward

Secretary of State who bought Alaska, prevented Britain and France from aiding the Confederacy, and pushed U.S. expansion.

Midway Island

Pacific island annexed under Seward’s expansion efforts.

Alaska Purchase

1867 land deal where Seward bought Alaska from Russia, nicknamed “Seward’s Folly.”

Alfred Thayer Mahan

U.S. naval officer who wrote The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890), arguing a strong navy makes a nation powerful.

U.S. Navy Expansion

Late 1800s modernization of the Navy with steel ships, making it the 3rd largest in the world by 1900.

Boxer Rebellion

1900 uprising in China against foreigners; U.S. troops helped crush it and demanded indemnities.

Spanish-American War

1898 war between the U.S. and Spain leading to U.S. control over overseas territories.

Causes of Spanish-American War

Yellow journalism, U.S. imperialism, Cuban revolt, De Lôme Letter, and USS Maine explosion.

De Lôme Letter

Spanish ambassador’s letter insulting McKinley; angered Americans and fueled war sentiment.

USS Maine

U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor; yellow press blamed Spain, pushing for war.

Philippines (1898)

First battle of the Spanish-American War; U.S. defeated Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry led by Theodore Roosevelt; famous for the charge up San Juan Hill.

San Juan Hill

Major U.S. victory in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Teller Amendment

Declared the U.S. wouldn’t annex Cuba after the war.

Platt Amendment

Gave the U.S. rights to intervene in Cuba and maintain Guantanamo Bay; made Cuba a U.S. protectorate.

Guantanamo Bay

U.S. naval base in Cuba established after the Platt Amendment.

U.S. Protectorate

When a nation is controlled or protected by the U.S. without full annexation (e.g., Cuba).

Philippine Question

Debate over whether the U.S. should annex or free the Philippines after defeating Spain.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino nationalist who fought Spain and later led a rebellion against U.S. control.

Philippine-American War

1899–1902 conflict where Filipino rebels resisted U.S. rule; rebellion was crushed.

Open Door Policy

Proposed by the U.S. to allow equal trade rights for all nations in China.

Spheres of Influence

Foreign nations controlling trade and influence in parts of China.

Imperialists

Supported U.S. expansion and control of foreign territories.

Anti-Imperialists

Opposed expansion; wanted other nations to have independence like the U.S. once did.

Theodore Roosevelt

President after McKinley’s death; supported “Big Stick Diplomacy.”

Big Stick Diplomacy

Roosevelt’s policy of using strong military power to protect U.S. interests abroad.

Roosevelt Corollary

Addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S. would intervene in Latin America to maintain order.

Monroe Doctrine

Early 1800s policy warning Europe not to interfere in the Americas.

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft’s policy of promoting U.S. trade and investments abroad instead of military force.

Moral Diplomacy

Wilson’s policy promoting democracy and opposing imperialism.

Latin American Interventions

U.S. military involvement in Latin America to enforce the Roosevelt Corollary and collect debts.

Mexican Revolution

Civil war and political instability in Mexico during Wilson’s presidency.

Pancho Villa

Mexican rebel leader who raided U.S. towns; pursued unsuccessfully by General Pershing.

John J. Pershing

U.S. general sent by Wilson to capture Pancho Villa in Mexico.

Mexican Intervention

Wilson’s decision to send troops into Mexico to chase Villa; failed to capture him.

U.S.–Mexico Relations

Strained due to American military actions during the revolution.

World War I Connection

U.S. withdrew from Mexico as global tensions in Europe began rising toward World War I.

World War I

Global conflict (1914–1918) triggered by militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.

U.S. Entry into WWI

America joined in 1917 after German unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Note.

Zimmermann Note

German proposal for Mexico to attack the U.S. in exchange for lost land; intercepted by Britain.

Lusitania

British ship sunk by a German U-boat (1915), killing 128 Americans and pushing U.S. toward war.

American Expeditionary Force

U.S. forces in Europe under General John J. Pershing.

Fourteen Points

Wilson’s peace plan promoting self-determination and a League of Nations.

League of Nations

Wilson’s international peace organization to prevent future wars.

Treaty of Versailles

Ended WWI; blamed Germany, imposed reparations, and created new nations.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Republican senator who blocked U.S. entry into the League of Nations.

Red Scare (1919–1920)

Nationwide fear of communism after the Russian Revolution and labor unrest.

Palmer Raids

Mass arrests of suspected radicals led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer.