Imperialism/WW1 PEDLIGS

Alfred Thayer Mahan

U.S. naval officer and historian whose book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890) argued that a strong navy and control of sea lanes were essential to national greatness and empire.

Albert Beveridge

U.S. Senator and leading imperialist. He was a strong advocate for U.S. expansion overseas, especially in the Philippines, arguing that America had a duty to bring civilization and markets to “lesser” nations.

William McKinley

25th President of the United States (1897–1901). Under his administration, the U.S. fought and won the Spanish‑American War, annexed Hawaii, and acquired overseas territories (e.g. Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam).

Josiah Strong

Protestant minister and writer. In his book Our Country (1885), he argued that Anglo‑Saxon Americans had a duty to spread Christianity and civilization, which became part of the ideological justification for U.S. imperialism.

George Dewey

Admiral in the U.S. Navy. He led the U.S. Asiatic Squadron to victory in the Battle of Manila Bay (1898) during the Spanish‑American War, securing control over the Philippines.

Henry Cabot Lodge

U.S. Senator and historian. A strong proponent of American expansion and military strength. He supported imperialism, a large navy, and was often allied with Theodore Roosevelt in foreign policy.

Queen Liliuokalani

The last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She sought to restore Hawaiian sovereignty, but was overthrown in a U.S.‑backed coup in 1893, paving the way for Hawaiian annexation.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino revolutionary leader. He led the Filipino struggle first against Spain, and later resisted U.S. control of the Philippines after the Spanish‑American War, during the Philippine–American War.

William Randolph Hearst

Newspaper publisher. His newspapers used sensationalist “yellow journalism” to stir public opinion in favor of war with Spain, influencing the climate leading up to the Spanish‑American War.

Spanish‑American War (1898)

A war between the U.S. and Spain, triggered by U.S. interest in Cuba and the explosion of the USS Maine. The U.S. defeated Spain and acquired overseas territories (e.g. Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam).

Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901)

An anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising in China (by the “Boxers”). Western powers and Japan intervened militarily to suppress it, reinforcing spheres of influence and leading to further foreign control over China.

USS Maine Explosion (1898)

The U.S. naval ship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor under mysterious circumstances. The event was widely publicized and became a rallying cry (“Remember the Maine!”) for U.S. intervention in Cuba and war with Spain.

Great Rapprochement

The warming of the U.S.–British relations in the late 19th and early 20th century, as Britain and the U.S. settled colonial disputes and came to see one another as allies rather than rivals.

Anti‑Imperialist League

A coalition formed in the U.S. to oppose American expansion and colonial acquisitions. Key members included Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, William Jennings Bryan, and others who argued imperialism contradicted American principles.

Insurrectos

Filipino insurgents (rebels) who resisted both Spanish and later American rule in the Philippines.

Rough Riders

A volunteer cavalry regiment organized by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish‑American War, famous for its charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

National War Labor Board

(Note: This is more prominent in World War I era than Spanish‑American period.) A federal agency created to mediate labor disputes to prevent strikes during wartime, ensuring production continuity.

Our Country (1885)

By Josiah Strong. A book arguing that Anglo-Saxon Protestant Americans had a duty to spread Christianity and “civilization” to other parts of the world.

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)

By Alfred Thayer Mahan. Argued that maritime dominance, naval strength, and overseas bases were essential for national power and empire.

De Lôme Letter (1898)

A private letter by the Spanish minister to the U.S., Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, which criticized President McKinley. When published in U.S. newspapers, it stirred anti-Spanish sentiment among Americans.

White Man’s Burden (1899)

A poem by Rudyard Kipling urging the U.S. to take up colonial responsibilities, especially in the Philippines. It framed imperialism as a moral duty of “civilizing” the non‑white peoples.

McKinley Tariff (1890)

High protective tariff passed under President McKinley (before his presidency). It raised the duties on imports, intended to protect U.S. industries but also had effects on U.S. trade relations.

Teller Amendment (1898)

An amendment attached to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain, stating that the U.S. would not annex Cuba but would leave control of the island to its people once peace was restored.

Platt Amendment (1901)

Legislation that defined the conditions for U.S. withdrawal from Cuba after the Spanish‑American War, effectively making Cuba a U.S. protectorate. It allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and to maintain a naval base (Guantánamo Bay).

Foraker Act (1900)

Established civilian government in Puerto Rico after its acquisition by the U.S. from Spain.

Hay‑Bunau‑Varilla Treaty

Treaty between the U.S. and Panama (1903) granting the U.S. rights to build and control the Panama Canal Zone, in return for compensation to Panama.

Social Darwinism (1870s onward)

The application of Darwin’s ideas of “survival of the fittest” to human societies and nations. It was used to justify imperialism, racism, and competition among nations—arguing that stronger nations have the right to dominate weaker ones.

Big Sister Policy (1880s)

A U.S. foreign policy, especially under Secretary of State James G. Blaine, to rally Latin American nations behind U.S. leadership and open Latin American markets to U.S. trade.

Jingoism (circa 1898)

Aggressive nationalism, particularly in foreign policy — the idea that one’s country should forcefully assert power and intervene abroad. Often used to describe the warlike mood in the U.S. before the Spanish‑American War.

Open Door Policy (1899 / 1900)

U.S. diplomatic policy toward China, asserting that all foreign powers should have equal trading rights in China and that Chinese territorial integrity should be respected. It opposed exclusive spheres of influence.

Roosevelt Corollary (1904)

An addition to the Monroe Doctrine by President Theodore Roosevelt. It asserted that the U.S. could intervene in Latin American nations to maintain stability and order, acting as an “international police power.”

Yellow Journalism

A style of sensationalist, exaggerated, or even dishonest reporting, often used to stir public emotions. Newspapers by Hearst and others used it to inflame American public opinion before the Spanish‑American War.

Big Stick Diplomacy

“Speak softly, and carry a big stick” (Theodore Roosevelt) — backing diplomatic negotiations with strong military capability.

Moral Diplomacy

(Woodrow Wilson era) using moral principles or values to guide foreign policy, supporting nations with similar ethical or democratic values.

Dollar Diplomacy

(Taft era) using economic investment and financial influence to achieve foreign policy goals.

Isolationist

avoiding involvement in foreign affairs and entanglements,

Internationalist

engaging diplomatically and cooperatively abroad,

Interventionist

actively intervening in other nations (militarily, economically) to pursue interests.

Insular Cases (1898 onwards)

Supreme Court cases about the status of U.S. territories (e.g. Puerto Rico, Philippines). They decided that full constitutional rights do not automatically extend to all territories under U.S. control — i.e. “unincorporated territories” could be subject to U.S. authority without all constitutional protections.

Russo‑Japanese War (1904–1905)

Conflict between Russia and Japan over control of territories in East Asia (Manchuria, Korea). Roosevelt mediated peace (Treaty of Portsmouth) and won the Nobel Peace Prize. The war showed the rise of Japan as a world power.

The Great White Fleet

A U.S. Navy fleet of 16 battleships sent on a world cruise (1907–1909) by President Roosevelt to demonstrate American naval power and global reach.

Eugene Debs

Socialist leader who opposed WWI; imprisoned under the Espionage Act for his antiwar Canton Speech.

Woodrow Wilson

U.S. president during WWI; proposed the Fourteen Points and the League of Nations.

Bernard Baruch

Head of the War Industries Board, which coordinated production and resources during WWI.

George Creel

Head of the Committee on Public Information; led pro-war propaganda campaigns.

Pancho Villa

Mexican revolutionary who led raids into the U.S.; pursued by General Pershing before WWI.

John Pershing

Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Europe during WWI.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Senator who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. Leader of the Reservationists

Arthur Zimmerman

German foreign minister who sent the Zimmerman Note urging Mexico to ally with Germany.

Jeanette Rankin

First woman in Congress; voted against U.S. entry into WWI.

Henry Johnson

African American soldier in the Harlem Hellfighters; received France’s Croix de Guerre for heroism.

A. Mitchell Palmer

U.S. Attorney General who led anti-radical Palmer Raids during the Red Scare

Sacco and Vanzetti

Italian immigrant anarchists executed for murder; symbolized postwar nativism and anti-immigrant bias.

Sinking of the Lusitania

1915 German U-boat attack on a British passenger ship; turned U.S. opinion against Germany.

Great Migration

Movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities for wartime jobs.

Bolshevik Revolution

1917 Russian uprising that established a Communist government and led to Russia’s withdrawal from WWI.

Armenian Genocide

Systematic killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during WWI.

Red Summer

1919 wave of racial violence and race riots in U.S. cities after WWI.

Palmer Raids

Government raids (1919–1920) targeting suspected radicals and anarchists.

Canton Speech

1918 antiwar speech by Eugene Debs that led to his arrest under the Espionage Act.

National Defense Act (1916)

Expanded the U.S. Army and National Guard before U.S. entry into WWI.

Selective Service Act (1917)

Established the military draft during WWI.

Espionage Act (1917)

Prohibited interference with the draft or military operations.

Sedition Act (1918)

Extended the Espionage Act to punish antiwar speech and criticism of the government.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Ended WWI; imposed harsh penalties on Germany and created the League of Nations.

Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924

Established quotas limiting immigration, favoring Northern Europeans.

Kellogg–Briand Pact (1928)

International agreement to renounce war as a means of national policy.

Balfour Declaration (1917)

British statement supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Hay–Pauncefote Treaty (1901

Gave the U.S. rights to build and control the Panama Canal.

Five Power Naval Treaty (1922)

Limited naval armaments among major powers after WWI.

World War I (1914–1918)

Global conflict triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand; pitted Allies vs. Central Powers.

Schlieffen Plan (1914)

Germany’s strategy to quickly defeat France before turning to fight Russia.

Sussex Pledge (1916)

Germany’s promise to restrict submarine warfare after sinking a French ship.

War Bonds/Liberty Bonds (1917)

Government-issued bonds to finance the U.S. war effort.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918)

Wilson’s postwar peace plan emphasizing self-determination and a League of Nations.

100% Americanism

Postwar movement promoting patriotism and suspicion of foreigners and radicals.

National War Labor Board

Mediated labor disputes to prevent strikes during WWI.

League of Nations

International organization formed to maintain peace; U.S. never joined.

Irreconcilables

Republican Senators who completely opposed the Treaty of Versailles.

Reservationists

Republican Senators who would support the treaty only with specific amendments.

Internationalists

Democratic Senators who favored ratifying the Treaty of Versailles as is.

Four Minute Men

Volunteers who gave brief pro-war speeches to promote support for WWI.

Committee on Public Information (CPI)

Government agency that spread propaganda to support the war.

Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies)

Radical labor union that opposed WWI and supported workers’ rights.

Harlem Hellfighters (369th Regiment)

African American unit that fought valiantly in WWI under French command.

Rainbow Division

U.S. Army division made up of National Guard units from multiple states.

Hello Girls

Female telephone operators serving the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France.

Yeoman (F)

Women who served in the U.S. Navy in clerical and support roles.

American Protective League

Civilian organization that helped the government identify disloyal citizens.

Women’s Peace Party

Pacifist organization led by Jane Addams advocating for peace and mediation during WWI.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Supreme Court upheld the Espionage Act; established the “clear and present danger” test for free speech limits.

Debs v. United States (1919)

Upheld Debs’s conviction for antiwar speech under the Espionage Act.

92nd Infantry Division

African American combat division in WWI; faced discrimination but served with distinction.

Zimmerman Note (1917)

Secret German message to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S.; helped lead to U.S. entry into WWI.