7.3 The Spanish American War and U.S. Foreign Policy to 1917

Jingoism

An aggressive form of nationalism advocating for expansion and militarism

Cuban Revolt

A renewed effort by Cuban nationalists in the 1890s to gain independence from Spanish colonial rule through guerrilla tactics

Yellow Journalism

sensationalized and often exaggerated news reporting, especially by Pulitzer’s New York World and Hearst’s New York Journal, to incite public opinion

De Lome Letter

A leaked letter from a Spanish diplomat criticizing President McKinley, sparking U.S. outrage

Sinking of the Maine

the mysterious explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898, fueling calls for war with Spain

Teller Amendment

a congressional resolution stating the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American War

“A Splendid Little War”

Secretary of State John Hay’s description of the swift and decisive U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War

The Philippines

A former Spanish colony annexed by the U.S. after its defeat in the Spanish-American War, sparking resistance

George Dewey

The U.S. naval commander who defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War

Rough Riders

a volunteer cavalry regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt, famous for their charge up San Juan Hill

Puerto Rico

A Spanish territory ceded to the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris after the Spanish-American War

Guam

A Pacific island acquired by the U.S. from Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris

Treaty of Paris

the 1898 agreement ending the Spanish-American War, granting Cuba independence and ceding the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the U.S.

Emilio Aguinaldo

The Filipino nationalist leader who fought first against Spain and later against U.S. control of the Philippines

Anti-Imperialist League

a group opposing U.S. annexation of the Philippines, arguing it violated democratic principles

Insular Cases

supreme court rulings that constitutional rights did not automatically apply to U.S. territories

Platt Amendment (1901)

legislation that made Cuba a U.S. protectorate, limiting its sovereignty and granting the U.S. naval base rights

John Hay

Secretary of State who advanced the Open Door policy to ensure equal trading rights in China

Spheres of Influence

Areas in China where foreign powers dominated trade and investment

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy advocating equal trade access for all nations in China, proposed by John Hay

Boxer Rebellion

A Chinese nationalist uprising in 1900 against foreign influence, suppressed by an international military coalition

“Big Stick” policy

Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy advocating for negotiation backed by the threat of military force.

Theodore Roosevelt

26th U.S. president known for his progressive reforms and assertive foreign policy.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (1903)

Agreement granting the U.S. rights to build and control the Panama Canal Zone.

Panama Canal

A strategic waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific, completed under U.S. control in 1914.

Santo Domingo

Site of U.S. intervention under the Roosevelt Corollary to manage debt and prevent European involvement.

Roosevelt Corollary

Extension of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting U.S. intervention rights in Latin American nations to maintain stability.

Russo-Japanese War

Conflict between Russia and Japan (1904–1905) mediated by Roosevelt, resulting in the Treaty of Portsmouth.

Treaty of Portsmouth (1905):

Ended the Russo-Japanese War, brokered by Roosevelt, but dissatisfied Japanese nationalists.

Segregated schools

California schools segregated Japanese children, causing diplomatic tensions with Japan.

“Gentlemen’s agreement”:

Informal deal where Japan limited emigration to the U.S. in exchange for ending school segregation.

Great White Fleet

U.S. naval fleet sent on a global tour (1907–1909) to demonstrate American power.

Root-Takahira Agreement (1908)

U.S.-Japan pact to respect each other’s Pacific territories and uphold the Open Door policy in China.

Nobel Peace Prize (1906):

Awarded to Roosevelt for mediating the Russo-Japanese War.

Algeciras Conference (1906)

Negotiations mediated by Roosevelt to resolve French-German conflict over Morocco.

International Peace Conference (1907)

Meeting in The Hague discussing rules to limit warfare, supported by Roosevelt.

William Howard Taft

27th U.S. president who promoted economic expansion through “dollar diplomacy.”

“Dollar diplomacy”

Policy using U.S. financial investments to influence foreign affairs and promote stability.

Railroads in China

Taft sought U.S. participation in financing Chinese railroads to challenge foreign dominance.

Manchuria

Region where Russia and Japan excluded the U.S. from railroad agreements, defying the Open Door policy.

Intervention in Nicaragua

U.S. sent marines to protect financial interests and stabilize Nicaragua during civil unrest.

Anti-imperialism

Opposition to expanding U.S. control over foreign territories, championed by Wilson.

Woodrow Wilson

28th U.S. president emphasizing democracy, peace, and moral responsibility in foreign policy.

William Jennings Bryan:

Wilson’s Secretary of State, advocating for diplomacy and peace treaties.

Jones Act (1916)

Granted Filipinos territorial status, rights, and a promise of future independence.

Conciliation treaties

Agreements requiring nations to arbitrate disputes and delay military action for a year.

Military intervention

Wilson deployed troops to stabilize Caribbean and Central American nations despite anti-imperialist ideals.

Pancho Villa

Mexican revolutionary who raided U.S. territories, prompting a military expedition by Wilson.

John J. Pershing

U.S. general who led the failed expeditionary force to capture Pancho Villa.

Expeditionary force

U.S. troops sent into Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa after cross-border attacks.