Period 7 - Imperialism Flashcards

Age of Imperialism

the shift from US isolationism to active foreign expansion, where the nation sought global power through economic influence, military strength, and territorial acquisition, most notably in the Spanish-American War, where the US gained PR, Guam, Cuba, and the Philippines

What are the 3 reasons for the US to become imperialistic?

raw materials, overseas bases, and new overseas markets

What are the 2 justifications for the US becoming imperialistic?

social darwinism and manifest destiny

Alfred T Mahan

wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, which argued that the United States needed steel ships, overseas bases, and the construction of a canal across Central America to become a global power. The US eventually follows all his suggestions.

What territories does the US gain during the mid-1800s into the early 1900s?

Alaska, Hawaii, Midway Islands, PR, Guam, Philippines

Spanish American War

a conflict fought between Spain and the United States in 1898, primarily over the issue of Cuban independence. This war marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, signaling the nation's emergence as a global imperial power and establishing its presence in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.

What are the causes of the Spanish-American War?

yellow journalism, Cuban revolution, the explosion of the USS Maine and The De Lôme Letter

Yellow Journalism

a sensationalized, exaggerated style of reporting used by late-19th-century newspapers to boost circulation, especially during the Spanish-American War. This was characterized by bold headlines, dramatic illustrations, and subjective, often fabricated, news stories

Cuban Revolution

Cubans, led by José Martí, fought for independence from Spain, with American public opinion supporting the rebels against Spanish brutality.

The De Lôme Letter

a private correspondence written by Spanish Minister to the United States that criticized President McKinley and described him as weak. This letter fueled anti-Spanish sentiment in the U.S.

Treaty of Paris 1898

formally ended the Spanish-American War, signaling the United States' emergence as a global imperial power. Spain renounced control of Cuba and ceded Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million.

Spheres of Influence

regions where an external power (like Britain, Japan, or the US) exerts dominant economic, political, or military control over a foreign territory without formal annexation. This is seen more specifically in China

Open Door Policy

a U.S. foreign policy demanding that all nations have equal and unrestricted trade access to China, whilst respecting its territorial integrity

Boxer Rebellion

A violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China that was fueled by nationalist sentiments and opposition to foreign imperialist influence, particularly from Western nations and Japan.

Foraker Acts

A United States federal law that established civilian government in Puerto Rico following its annexation from Spain after the Spanish-American War.

Insular Cases

SCOTUS rulings declaring that Puerto Ricans did not have the same rights or tax status as other Americans

Platt Amendment

Made Cuba a protectorate of the US whilst barring the nation from making treaties with other countries’ and giving the US the right to interfere in Cuba to preserve independence.

Roosevelt Corollary

Asserted the U.S. right to intervene in Latin American nations guilty of "chronic wrongdoing" or financial instability. It established the U.S. as an "international police power" in the Western Hemisphere to prevent European intervention, anchoring "Big Stick" diplomacy

Big Stick Diplomacy

Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy of negotiating peacefully with other nations while simultaneously threatening them with the "big stick"—the intimidating power of the U.S. military. It aimed to assert American influence and maintain order in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in Latin America

Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft’s foreign policy aimed at increasing U.S. influence in Latin America and East Asia through economic investment rather than direct military force

Moral Diplomacy

President Woodrow Wilson’s foreign policy approach, aiming to promote democracy, condemn imperialism, and foster peace by supporting nations with similar ethical principles