American Imperialism & WW1

American Imperialism Motives

Economic, political, and cultural drivers that caused the U.S. to expand beyond continental borders. Economic: The US businesses depend on trade overseas to have their businesses thrive. Political: Desire for strategic naval bases and global power projection. Cultural: The Us felt like they were the most superior country.

What did the US gain from Imperialism?

The US gained Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Guam from Spain.

How did Imperialism change America's role on the global stage?

They made them have a national reputation, american exceptionalism (US is extraordinary) economics / navel power (US business grew with trade).

Spanish-American War (1898)

The US wanted to go to war with Spain because they knew they would get something out of it. The Maine was something that caused the war because they blamed Spain on sinking the Maine and started the war. There was a war in the Caribbean, there was a war in the Philippines they liberated them from Spanish rule. The outcome both sides signed Treaty of Paris Guam and Puerto Rico permanent US territories, US promised not to annex Cuba, Philippines were annexed (taking land) by the US.

How did the victory transform the US into an empire with overseas territorial holdings?

Ended Spain's rule and transferred key territories for naval bases in the Caribbean and the Pacific to US control.

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerating press shaped public sentiment because it would tug at the heart strings of people and have them try to use empathy to try and help these soldiers. This press also influenced foreign policy decisions because it created pressure against the US government.

Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt built upon and modified the Monroe Doctrine because the original one just kept Europe from getting colonies in the US but now it made it so the US could intervene in Latin American or Western Hemisphere countries to maintain financial and political stability.

Woodrow Wilson's Neutrality (1914)

Wilson initially avoided conflict in Europe to not get involved and keep global trade open. The US being neutral became unsafe because Germany was threatening US ships so Wilson makes the world safe for democracy.

Sinking of the RMS Lusitania (1915)

Germany U-boat torpedoed British boat Lusitania killing lots of people including 128 Americans. Public opinion hated Germany they thought unrestricted submarine warfare as a violation of international freedom of sea. Germany temporarily restricted U-boats.

Zimmermann Telegram

A secret intercepted communication proposing a German-Mexican alliance if US joins the war that pushed the U.S. toward war. Germany offers to help Mexico regain lost territory. The US published this in the newspaper people started getting mad across the nation.

U.S. Entry into WWI (1917)

The US abandoned isolationism in 1917 and joined the Allied Powers because Germany sent the Zimmerman Telegram, Germany started unrestricted submarine warfare and targeted merchant ships.

Trench Warfare

Mass-produced machine guns, heavy artillery shelling, poison gas, flamethrowers, and tanks changed defensive dynamics. Machine guns and modern artillery made open infantry charges suicidal. Armies dug massive networks of defensive trenches stretched across hundreds of miles on the Western Front. Neither side could make significant territorial gains, turning the war into a prolonged, brutal war of attrition with massive casualties in "No Man's Land.

Wartime Presidential Powers

Executive power expanded to manage resources through different groups. War Industries board- Focused on the production of wartime industry by prioritizing production, fixed prices. Food Administration- Regulated food production and consumption. Committee on Public Info- Build support for the war. Fuel Administration- Keep price of oil and coal reasonable.

Espionage & Sedition Acts

Espionage Act: Penalized spying, interference with military recruitment, or aiding the enemy. Sedition Act: Made it illegal to write, print, or utter any "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the U.S. government, flag, or military uniform.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

This is the plan for post-World War I outlined by President Wilson in 1918. This plan called for self-determination (countries in Africa and Asia govern themselves), freedom of the seas, free trade, end to secret agreements, reduction of arms and a league of nations.