Imperialism and World War I Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to imperialism, the Spanish-American War, and other significant aspects of U.S. history from the late 19th to early 20th century.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.

Social Darwinism

Strongest nation will survive

The White Man's Burden

The idea that it is the obligation of white colonizers to civilize and educate non-white indigenous populations.

Annexation of Hawaii

America forced its way into Hawaiian affairs for the sugar and pineapple.

1898 , Hawaii was annexed despite the fact they had a Queen.

Spanish-American War

A conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States that resulted in the U.S. gaining control of Spanish territories, including Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalist journalism exaggerate Spanish treatment of Cubans

Sell more papers to uneducated masses → instigated Americans to fight.

Progressive Era

A period of social activism and political reform in the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s that aimed to address issues caused by industrialization.

Roosevelt Corollary

An addition to the Monroe Doctrine asserting that the U.S. would intervene in conflicts between European nations and Latin American countries to enforce stable governance.

Panama Canal

A man-made waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which significantly reduced travel time for military and commercial shipping.

Roosevelt started a revolution in Colombia to create Panama.  Instead of payment, TR stated the US would build a canal through the country.

Insular Cases

A series of Supreme Court cases that addressed the status of U.S. territories acquired in the Spanish-American War and how constitutional rights apply to them.

Great White Fleet

A U.S. Navy fleet that completed a journey around the world from 1907 to 1909 to showcase American naval power. Part of the “Big Stick Diplomacy” to protect American investments worldwide.

Moral Diplomacy

A foreign policy proposed by President Woodrow Wilson that reflects the belief in promoting democracy and moral progress in other countries.

Emilio Aguinaldo

The leader of the Filipino independence movement against Spanish rule and later against American annexation.

Dollar Diplomacy

A foreign policy that sought to promote American financial interests abroad, particularly in Latin America and East Asia.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the expansion of the U.S. throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

Anti-Imperialist League

An organization founded in 1898 to oppose the annexation of the Philippines and the American imperialist agenda.

Social Gospel

Led by Josiah Strong – spread of Christianity and culture

Anglo-Saxonism

John Burgess’ belief that whites were superior

White Man’s Burden

Whites must “civilize and Christianize”

USS MAINE

sent to Cuba to investigate– it exploded killing 260

Newspapers reported that the Spanish blew up the Maine – Americans wanted revenge!

A Splendid Little War

•April - August

•460 military deaths & 5,200 disease related deaths.

•Started to free Cuba, but ended to strip Spain of its colonies.

Philippine-American War

War began in 1899 after the Philippines were ceded to the U.S. by Spain.

Filipino revolutionary leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, resisted the U.S. annexation.

War ended in 1902, but fighting continued.

Independence is granted July 4^th, 1946 after WWII