US Imperialism

USS Maine

U.S. battleship destroyed in Havana harbor, one of the causes of the Spanish American War

Theodore Roosevelt

leader of the "Rough Riders", fought at San Juan and Kettle Hills

yellow journalism

sensational and biased news reporting, led to the Spanish American War

William Randolph Hearst

newspaper owner who ran sensational stories about Cuba in the New York Journal

Battle of San Juan Hill

Rough Riders charge, led by Teddy Roosevelt

Cuba

large island in the Caribbean acquired from Spain by U.S., One of the fronts in the Spanish American War

Platt Amendment

helped U.S. maintain control over Cuba, established the laws for Cuba but allowed the US to intervene if necessary

Emilio Aguinaldo

led Filipinos against American rule

Guam

American protectorate in the Pacific after the war. Still a US territory today.

William McKinley

President during the Spanish American War

Queen Liliuokalani

the Hawaiian queen who was forced out of power by a revolution started by American business interests

Hawaii

taken over by US businessmen and eventually annexed by the US

Puerto Rico

Island in the Caribbean taken over by the US after the Spanish American War. Still a US territory today

Alaska

purchased by Secretary of State, William Seward, in 1867 for $7.2 million from Russia

Boxer Rebellion

Rebellion in Beijing, China started by a secret society of Chinese who opposed the "foreign devils". The rebellion was ended by British troops.

Open Door Policy

A policy proposed by the US in 1899, under which ALL nations would have equal opportunities to trade in China.

Spheres of Influence

An area of one country under the control of another. In China, these areas guaranteed specific trading privileges to each imperialist nation within its respective sphere (ended by the Open Door Policy)

Sanford Dole

wealthy, plantation owner and politician who was named President of New Republic of Hawaii. He asked US to annex Hawaii.

Monroe Doctrine

A political policy of the United States by President James Monroe that states the Western Hemisphere is closed to European interference.

Roosevelt Corollary

1904 extension of the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the United States has the right to protect its economic interests in South And Central America by using military force

Big Stick Diplomacy

Diplomatic policy developed by T.R where the "big stick" symbolizes his power and readiness to use military force if necessary. It is a way of intimidating countries without actually harming them and was the basis of U.S. imperialistic foreign policy.

Dollar Diplomacy

Foreign policy created under President Taft that had the U.S. exchanging financial support ($) for the right to "help" countries make decisions about trade and other commercial ventures. Basically it was exchanging money for political influence in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Missionary/Moral Diplomacy

Woodrow Wilson's idea of the United States' responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government that was viewed as hostile to American interests.

Panama Canal

40 miles long route across the Isthmus of Panama built by the United States. Connected the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, making travel and trade faster and easier

Social Darwinism

The belief that only the fittest survive in human political and economic struggle.

Alfred Mahan

Captain of the U.S. Navy who was for imperialism. He thought that a bigger navy was needed to protect American ships.

John Pershing

commander of the American Expeditionary Force in WWI

Armistice Date (WWI)

Nov. 11, 1918

Rationing

the limiting of the amounts of goods people can buy - often imposed by governments during wartime, when goods are in short supply

14 points

President Woodrow Wilson's plan for organizing post World War I Europe and for avoiding future wars.

League of Nations

an international organization formed in 1920 to promote cooperation and peace among nations, proposed by Woodrow Wilson but never joined by the US

War Industries Board

Agency established during WWI to increase efficiency & discourage waste in war-related industries.

Victory Gardens

Backyard gardens; Americans were encouraged to grow their own vegetables to support the war effort

Treaty of Versailles

the treaty imposed on Germany by the Allied powers in 1920 after the end of World War I which demanded exorbitant reparations from the Germans

Zimmerman Telegram

A telegram Germany Sent to Mexico to convince Mexico to attack the U.S.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat on May 7, 1915. 128 Americans died. The sinking greatly turned American opinion against the Germans, helping the move towards entering the war.

DeLome Letter

Considered a cause of the Spanish-American War - letter from the Spanish ambassador criticizing President McKinley which was published in the Hearst newspaper. (1898)

Selective Service Act

Law passed by Congress in 1917 that required all men from ages 21 to 30 to register for the military draft

Espionage and Sedition Acts

laws that enacted harsh punishments against anyone who opposed participation in the war

Schenck v. United States

Supreme court decides that any actions taken that present a "clear and present danger" to the public or government isn't allowed, this can limit free speech

Rough Riders

Volunteer regiment of US Cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt during the Spanish American War