American Imperialism

Social Darwinism

A Theory applied Charles Darwin’s ideas of natural selection to human societies, suggesting that certin groups or nations are naturally superior to others

Alfred T. Mahan

An author who argued in 1890 that the economic future of the U.S. rested on new overseas markets/protected by a larger navy with ports to allow further reach. (motivation for imperialism)

Emilio Aguinaldo

A Filipino revolutionary leader who fought for Philippine independence against the Spanish and American forces

Imperialism

A policy of extending a nation’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force, often by colonizing other territories

USS Maine

A U.S. naval battleship whose explosion in Havana Habor in 1898 contrivuted to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War

De Lome Letter

A private letter written by the Spanish ambassador to the U.S., which criticized President Mckinley and inflamed American public opinion before the Spanish-American war

Matthew Perry

A U.S. naval officer who played a key role in opening Japan to Werstern trade through the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854

William Randolph Hearst

A powerful American newspapaer publisher known for sensationalizing new stories, particularly during the Spanish-American War (getting the public attention)

Valeriano Weyler

A Spanish notorious for his brutal tactics in suppressing the Cuban rebellion, including the establishment of reconcentrado camps

Yellow Journalism

A style of sensationalized and exaggerated reporting used to attract reders, often seen in the press leading up to the Spanish-American War

Jose Marti

A Cuban poet, journalist, and revolutionary leader who fought for Cuba’s independence from Spain

Platt Amendment

A 1901 amendment to the Cuban Constitution that allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and establish a naval base at Guantanamo Bay