US IMPERIALISM AND WW1 – QUIZLET FLASHCARDS (PART 1 of 6)

Imperialism

The political and/or economic domination of a weak country by a stronger country.

Late 19th-early 20th Century US Imperialism

Period when the United States expanded its power and influence beyond its borders through territorial acquisitions and economic dominance.

Spheres of Influence in China

A geographical region where a powerful nation exerts significant political

Spheres of Influence Key Points

Indirect control; Creates competition and conflict among powers.

US Involvement in Empire Building

The United States sought to expand influence globally through political

Global Competition

European nations were establishing colonies rapidly; The US needed to "grab countries" as well; Spain's decline provided a golden opportunity for the US.

Global Markets

Industrial Revolution created demand for raw materials and new markets; High tariffs protected domestic businesses; Colonies gave preferential trade access; Overproduction hurt economy—new markets were needed to sell US goods.

Superiority

European sense of superiority and "White Man's Burden"; Duty to spread civilization

Military Strength

Admiral Alfred T. Mahan argued sea power made nations powerful; Government needed a large navy

Events Driving American Expansion and Imperialism

Key milestones of US territorial and imperial growth from 1803-1917.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

US purchased 828

Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended war; US gained California

1853 Gunboat Diplomacy

Commodore Matthew Perry opened Japan to US trade; example of early US expansion through force.

Gadsden Purchase (1853)

US purchased land from Mexico for $10 million for southern railroad route; added parts of Arizona and New Mexico.

Seward's Folly (1867)

US bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million; criticized as wasteful but proved valuable for gold and oil; led to Klondike Gold Rush (1896).

US Acquires Midway Island (1867)

US took Midway Atoll for naval and communication purposes; strategic Pacific possession.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Ended Spanish-American War; Spain ceded Puerto Rico

Annexation of Hawaii (1898)

Hawaii annexed after US-backed overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani; sugar planters and Sanford Dole pushed annexation; became US state in 1959.

Hawaii Key Facts

Sugar cane top export; 1875 treaty exempted Hawaii from tariffs; 1887 King Kalakaua forced to sign new constitution; 1890 tariff hurt sugar; 1893 monarchy overthrown by US planters and Marines; Sanford Dole became president of Hawaiian Republic.

Annexation of Wake Island (1899)

Acquired as refueling and cable station for Pacific expansion under President McKinley.

Acquisition of Samoa (1899-1900)

US gained American Samoa through treaty with Germany and Britain; established naval presence in South Pacific.

Panama Canal Zone (1904)

US gained control of canal zone via treaty; built Panama Canal (1904-1914); controlled until 1999; enabled global naval mobility.

US Virgin Islands (1917)

Purchased from Denmark for $25 million in gold; strategic for Caribbean peace and canal protection.

European and American Empires—Indirect Rule

Imperial powers influenced local rulers using treaties

Direct Rule

Imperial powers directly governed colonies; imposed laws and taxes; allowed stronger control but costly and caused resistance.

Settler Rule

Colonizing power encouraged settlement; settlers dominated politics and economy; developed colonies but caused major conflicts.

Protectorate

Form of indirect control where imperial power managed foreign policy and defense; cheaper but risked instability.

Sphere of Influence

Imperial power claimed exclusive rights in a region (esp. trade); allowed economic dominance with minimal costs; led to rival conflicts.

American Imperialism Summary

From 1776-WWI

Manifest Destiny

Belief that the US was destined to expand across the continent; drove westward expansion before overseas imperialism.

Shift to Overseas Empire

Post-Civil War thinkers like Mahan promoted naval expansion; led to Alaska purchase

Spanish-American War (1898)

Turning point establishing US as a world power with overseas colonies (Puerto Rico

Anti-Imperialism

Figures like Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie opposed expansion

US Policies (1900-1920)

Roosevelt's "Big Stick

By 1914

The US transformed from continental republic to global power balancing ideals of liberty with empire.