American Expansionism and the Progressive Era

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to American Expansionism from 1890-1920 and the accompanying Progressive Era, including foreign policy, domestic reforms, influential figures, and significant events.

American Expansionism (1890-1920)

A period marking America's transition from isolationism to becoming a world-class nation and power, influenced by economic, ideological, and geopolitical factors.

Domestic Policy (Gilded Age)

During the 1870s-1890s, American domestic policy, focused on post-Civil War recovery and internal development, largely overshadowed foreign policy decisions.

Modern Presidency

Refers to the beginnings of a growing power and influence of the American presidency, where the office began to assert more control, notably in foreign affairs.

Manifest Destiny Gone International

An ideological driver for American expansionism, extending the belief in American exceptionalism and territorial growth beyond the continental borders to overseas territories.

Stepping Stones in the Pacific

Islands in the Pacific, such as Samoa (1878) and Hawaii (1887), that America began to acquire or influence to serve as naval bases, refueling stations, and points for trade to Asia.

Seward's Folly (1867)

The purchase of Alaska from Russia by Secretary of State William Seward for $7.2 million, initially mocked but later found to be rich in natural resources like gold and oil.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

A prominent naval strategist and author of 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History' (1890), who argued that national power was directly tied to naval strength, a strong merchant marine, colonies, and naval bases.

Great White Fleet

A fleet of 16 steel battleships that completed a world tour from 1905-1906, demonstrating America's growing naval power in the early 20th century.

Pan American Union (1889)

An organization initiated by U.S. Secretary of State James G. Blaine, intended to foster cooperation and trade among dozens of Latin American countries, reflecting the U.S.'s 'big brother' role in the region.

Queen Liliuokalani

The last sovereign monarch of Hawaii, who came to power in 1891 and advocated for 'Hawaii for the Hawaiians,' resisting increasing American economic and political influence.

Yellow Press

A sensationalist style of journalism, exemplified by newspapers like the New York World (Pulitzer) and New York Journal (Hearst), which used exaggerated or distorted stories to inflame public opinion, notably regarding Spanish atrocities in Cuba.

Imperial Presidency

A term describing an executive with significant unilateral power, especially in foreign affairs, whose foundations were laid during the turn of the 20th century as presidents began to assert more control over foreign policy.

Spanish-American War (1898)

A decisive American victory, lasting about 10 weeks, that marked the end of Spanish colonialism and the emergence of the U.S. as a world power, leading to territorial acquisitions like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Teller Amendment

A congressional resolution passed in April 1898, stating that the U.S. could not annex Cuba, affirming its intention to grant Cuba independence after the Spanish-American War.

Rough Riders

The First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, led by Theodore Roosevelt, which gained fame for its charge up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

The agreement that formally ended the Spanish-American War, in which Spain ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S. and sold the Philippines for $20 million, prompting a debate between imperialists and anti-imperialists.

Filipino Resistance (1899-1902)

A conflict, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, where Filipinos resisted U.S. rule after the Spanish-American War, becoming America's first land war in Asia and resulting in thousands of casualties on both sides.

Platt Amendment (1901)

An amendment passed as part of an American war appropriations bill, which limited Cuba's sovereignty and granted the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuban affairs when necessary, and permanently leased Guantanamo Bay to the U.S.

Panama Canal

A monumental engineering feat completed in 1914, initiated by President Theodore Roosevelt, that dramatically shortened shipping routes and provided faster access between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, secured by U.S. backing of Panama's independence from Colombia.

Open Door Policy (1899-1900)

Proposed by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay, this policy aimed to ensure equal trading opportunities for all nations in China and preserve Chinese territorial integrity, preventing any single power from monopolizing Chinese markets.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-Western uprising in China where groups known as 'Boxers' attacked foreign missionaries, Chinese Christians, and businesses, leading to an international coalition, including U.S. troops, crushing the uprising.

Roosevelt Corollary (1904)

An addition to the Monroe Doctrine by President Theodore Roosevelt, declaring that the U.S. would intervene in Latin American affairs if countries were unable to maintain order or pay their international debts, asserting the U.S. as an 'international police power'.

Dollar Diplomacy

A foreign policy strategy, particularly under the Taft Administration, that favored economic influence and investment over military intervention to promote American commercial interests and stabilize unstable regions, especially in Latin America and East Asia.

Progressive Mindset

A socio-political outlook characteristic of the early 20th century, responding to the negative effects of industrialization and urbanization with a desire for social legislation, fearing unregulated big business and corrupt city governments.

Pragmatism

A philosophical movement championed by William James, suggesting that the truth of an idea can be measured by its practical consequences and utility.

Reform Darwinism

An intellectual movement, contrasting with Social Darwinism, arguing that government and collective action could and should actively aid the process of social evolution and improve society, as advocated by figures like Lester Ward and Richard Ely.

Social Gospel Movement

A late 19th-century religious movement that sought to apply Christian ethics to social problems, aiming to make society a better, more humane place, with some moderates like Washington Gladden advocating for humane capitalism and radicals like Walter Rauschenbusch for Christian socialism.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists of the Progressive Era who exposed corruption and social ills in magazines and newspapers, such as Upton Sinclair (meat packing), Lincoln Steffens (city machines), and Ida Tarbell (Standard Oil).