apush unit 7

William H. Seward

U.S. Secretary of State who arranged the purchase of Alaska and advocated for American expansion in the Pacific and Caribbean.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. foreign policy declaring opposition to European interference in the Western Hemisphere, later used to justify intervention in Latin America.

purchase of Alaska (1867)

Acquisition of Alaska from Russia by William Seward for $7.2 million, initially ridiculed as “Seward’s Folly” but later seen as strategic and resource-rich.

Hawaii

Pacific islands annexed by the U.S. in 1898 after American planters overthrew the native monarchy; key for naval bases and trade.

Pearl Harbor

Strategic naval base in Hawaii acquired by the U.S. in 1887; later became a major military outpost.

Queen Liliuokalani

Last monarch of Hawaii who opposed U.S. annexation and was overthrown by American-backed planters in 1893.

Grover Cleveland

U.S. president who opposed the annexation of Hawaii and investigated the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.

James G. Blaine

U.S. Secretary of State who promoted closer ties between the U.S. and Latin America through economic cooperation.

Pan-American Conference (1889)

Meeting initiated by James G. Blaine to foster cooperation and trade among Western Hemisphere nations.

Richard Olney

U.S. Secretary of State who invoked the Monroe Doctrine during the Venezuela boundary dispute, asserting U.S. authority in the Western Hemisphere.

Venezuela boundary dispute

Conflict between Venezuela and Britain over a border with British Guiana; the U.S. intervened diplomatically, affirming the Monroe Doctrine.

“New Imperialism”

A period in the late 19th century where the U.S. and European powers aggressively expanded their empires through colonies and influence.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Naval officer and author who argued that national greatness depended on a strong navy and overseas bases.

Darwinism

The belief in natural selection applied to nations and races, used to justify imperialism as a “survival of the fittest.”

expansionists

Americans who supported overseas territorial growth for economic, strategic, and nationalistic reasons.

Josiah Strong

Protestant minister who argued in Our Country that the U.S. had a divine mission to spread Christianity and civilization abroad.

“jingoism”

Extreme patriotism favoring aggressive, warlike foreign policy, especially popular in the U.S. before the Spanish-American War.

Cuban revolt

Cuban rebellion against Spanish rule in the 1890s, which garnered U.S. sympathy and led to U.S. involvement.

“yellow journalism”

Sensationalized and often exaggerated news reporting used by newspapers like Hearst's and Pulitzer's to incite public support for war with Spain.

de Lôme Letter

A private letter from a Spanish diplomat criticizing President McKinley; its publication inflamed anti-Spanish sentiment in the U.S.

sinking of the Maine

Explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898; blamed on Spain and a key trigger for the Spanish-American War.

Teller Amendment

A congressional resolution stating that the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba and would leave control to the Cubans after the war.

“a splendid little war”

Term used by John Hay to describe the Spanish-American War, which was brief and resulted in major U.S. territorial gains.

the Philippines

Spanish colony taken by the U.S. during the Spanish-American War; became a site of Filipino resistance to U.S. rule.

George Dewey

U.S. naval commander who defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, gaining control of the Philippines.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War, famous for the Battle of San Juan Hill.

Puerto Rico

Caribbean island ceded to the U.S. by Spain in the Treaty of Paris, becoming an unincorporated U.S. territory.

Guam

Pacific island acquired by the U.S. from Spain in 1898, used as a naval base and coaling station.

Treaty of Paris

1898 treaty ending the Spanish-American War; Spain ceded the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the U.S.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino leader who first fought against Spain and later led a resistance movement against U.S. control of the Philippines.

Anti-Imperialist League

Organization formed to oppose U.S. annexation of the Philippines and broader imperialist policies.

Insular Cases

Series of Supreme Court decisions that ruled constitutional rights did not automatically extend to U.S. territories.

Platt Amendment (1901)

Amendment to Cuba’s constitution allowing U.S. intervention and naval bases, limiting Cuban sovereignty.

John Hay

U.S. Secretary of State who promoted the Open Door policy to ensure equal trading rights in China.

spheres of influence

Areas in China where foreign powers had exclusive trading rights and privileges.

Open Door policy

U.S. policy proposed by John Hay advocating equal access to Chinese markets for all foreign nations.

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign uprising in China (1900) crushed by an international force, including U.S. troops, to protect foreign interests.

“big stick” policy

Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy of using diplomacy backed by the threat of military force.

Theodore Roosevelt

26th president known for his assertive foreign policy, including building the Panama Canal and expanding U.S. global influence.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (1903)

Treaty granting the U.S. control of the Panama Canal Zone after supporting Panama's independence from Colombia.

Panama Canal

Major engineering project completed in 1914 that connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enhancing U.S. naval and commercial power.

Santo Domingo

Site of U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic to stabilize its finances under Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.

Roosevelt Corollary

Addition to the Monroe Doctrine asserting U.S. right to intervene in Latin America to maintain stability.

Russo-Japanese War

1904–1905 war between Russia and Japan, mediated by Theodore Roosevelt.

Treaty of Portsmouth (1905)

Treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War, negotiated by Roosevelt, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize.

segregated schools

In 1906, Japanese children in San Francisco were segregated, causing diplomatic tension with Japan.

“gentlemen’s agreement”

1907 agreement in which Japan restricted emigration to the U.S. in exchange for better treatment of Japanese Americans.

Great White Fleet

U.S. Navy fleet sent around the world by Roosevelt to demonstrate American naval power.

Root-Takahira Agreement (1908)

U.S.-Japan agreement recognizing each other’s territorial possessions in the Pacific and maintaining the status quo in Asia.

Noble Peace Prize (1906)

Awarded to Theodore Roosevelt for mediating the Treaty of Portsmouth and promoting international peace.