Imperialism 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.