APUSH Period 7 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and figures for APUSH Period 7: Imperialism, the Spanish-American War, World War I diplomacy, and the home front.

William Seward

Secretary of State who bought Alaska from Russia, expanding U.S. territory and influence.

Queen Liliuokalani

Last queen of Hawaii who was overthrown by American-backed planters, leading to U.S. control of Hawaii.

Grover Cleveland

President who opposed the overthrow of Hawaii's queen and delayed U.S. annexation of Hawaii.

New Imperialism

European and American expansion into other countries for power and resources, leading to increased competition for colonies and global influence.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval officer who believed strong navies made countries powerful, encouraging the U.S. to build a stronger navy and expand overseas.

Expansionists

People who supported U.S. territorial and overseas expansion, helping push America toward becoming a world power.

Josiah Strong

Minister who believed Americans should spread Christianity and civilization, using religious beliefs to support American expansion.

Pan-American Conference

Meeting of American nations to discuss trade and cooperation, which increased U.S. influence in Latin America.

Jingoism

Extreme nationalism and support for aggressive foreign policy that increased public support for war with Spain.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news meant to attract readers that helped build support for the Spanish-American War.

De Lome Letter

Letter criticizing President McKinley, written by Spain's ambassador, that angered Americans and increased tensions with Spain.

USS Maine

American battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, helping push the U.S. into war with Spain.

Teller Amendment

U.S. promise not to take control of Cuba permanently, showing that America claimed it was fighting for Cuban independence.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Treaty that ended the Spanish-American War and gave the U.S. Puerto Rico, Guam, and control of the Philippines.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino independence leader who fought Spain and later the U.S., leading Filipino resistance against American control.

Anti-Imperialist League

Group that opposed American expansion overseas and argued against taking control of the Philippines.

Insular Cases

Supreme Court cases about rights in U.S. territories that ruled constitutional rights did not automatically apply to all territories.

Platt Amendment

Rules allowing U.S. intervention in Cuba, giving America significant control over Cuba.

Spheres of Influence

Areas where foreign countries had special economic control, demonstrating foreign powers dividing influence in China.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy supporting equal trading rights in China that helped protect American trade in China.

Boxer Rebellion

Chinese uprising against foreign influence that the U.S. helped stop to protect foreign interests in China.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Theodore Roosevelt's policy of negotiating while maintaining military strength, which increased American influence in Latin America.

Roosevelt Corollary

Declaration stating the U.S. could intervene in Latin America to maintain order, making America the main police power in the Western Hemisphere.

Great White Fleet

Group of American battleships sent around the world to show America's growing naval power.

Dollar Diplomacy

Policy of using American money and investments to influence other countries, increasing U.S. economic influence, especially in Latin America.

Moral Diplomacy

Woodrow Wilson's policy of supporting democratic governments that tried to spread democracy but sometimes led to U.S. intervention.

Pancho Villa

Mexican revolutionary who attacked the U.S. border, leading to a U.S. military expedition into Mexico.

John J. Pershing

American general sent to capture Pancho Villa who led U.S. troops into Mexico but failed to capture Villa.

Neutrality

Not taking sides in a war, which served as America's original position during WWI.

Central Powers

Alliance consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and their allies that fought against the Allied Powers in WWI.

Allied Powers

Alliance consisting of Britain, France, Russia, and later the U.S., which defeated the Central Powers in WWI.

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by a German submarine in 1915, increasing American anger toward Germany.

"Preparedness"

Building up the military before entering WWI to help prepare America for war.

Zimmerman Telegram

German message asking Mexico to fight the U.S., which angered Americans and helped bring the U.S. into WWI.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany's policy of attacking ships without warning, threatening American lives and trade, and helping cause U.S. entry into WWI.

Bolsheviks

Communist group led by Vladimir Lenin in Russia that took power and pulled Russia out of WWI.

American Expeditionary Force (AEF)

American troops sent to fight in Europe, led by General Pershing, that helped the Allies defeat Germany.

14 Points

Wilson's plan for peace after WWI that proposed fair peace terms and a League of Nations.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty that officially ended WWI with Germany, punishing Germany and creating resentment that contributed to WWII.

League of Nations

International organization created to prevent future wars and maintain peace, which the U.S. never joined.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Senator who opposed the Treaty of Versailles without changes and helped block U.S. membership in the League of Nations.

Mobilization

Preparing the country, economy, and military for war, which helped the U.S. supply troops and resources for WWI.

Food Administration

Government agency led by Herbert Hoover that managed food supplies and encouraged Americans to conserve food for soldiers and allies.

National War Labor Board

Agency that helped settle labor disputes during WWI, preventing strikes and keeping factories producing war supplies.

Liberty Bonds

Loans citizens gave the government to pay for the war, which helped fund America's involvement in WWI.

Committee on Public Information

Government agency that created pro-war propaganda to build public support for WWI.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

Laws that punished spying and speech against the war effort, limiting freedom of speech during WWI.

Schenck v. United States

Supreme Court case about speech against the draft that ruled speech creating a clear and present danger could be restricted.

Selective Service Act

Law requiring men to register for the military draft, helping provide enough soldiers for WWI.

Great Migration

Movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities, increasing Black communities and job opportunities in the North.