U.S. Imperialism, WWI, and Early 20th Century Foreign Policy

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and events related to U.S. Imperialism, World War I, and early 20th-century foreign policy.

Commodore Matthew Perry

Led the U.S. naval expedition to Japan in 1853, pressuring Japan to open trade.

USS Maine

A U.S. battleship whose explosion in Havana Harbor in 1898 sparked the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War

Conflict in 1898 that resulted in the U.S. emerging as a world power and acquiring territories.

William McKinley

U.S. President whose reelection in 1900 showed American support for imperialism.

Roosevelt Corollary

Justified U.S. intervention in Latin America to maintain stability and prevent European involvement.

Nobel Peace Prize 1906

Awarded to Theodore Roosevelt for mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War.

Foraker Act

Established a civil government in Puerto Rico without granting full U.S. citizenship.

Panama Canal

A major engineering achievement that significantly shortened maritime travel between oceans.

Reasons for U.S. entering WWI

Loaned money to Allies, German submarine attacks on U.S. citizens, and the Zimmerman Telegram.

Neutrality Principle

U.S. policy of not taking sides during WWI to avoid involvement in European conflicts.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany's policy of sinking ships without warning, including civilian vessels.

Trench Warfare

Combat method leading to stalemate during WWI due to fortified positions and deadlock.

Sinking of the Lusitania

A significant event in 1915 when a German U-boat sank a British liner, aiding anti-German sentiment.

Zimmerman Telegram

Secret proposal from Germany to Mexico for military alliance against the U.S.

Selective Service Act

Law allowing the draft of soldiers into military service during WWI.

Convoy System

Naval strategy where merchant ships travel in groups protected by warships.

New Technologies of WWI

Machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons that increased the war's lethality.

Great Migration

Movement of African Americans to northern cities for better opportunities during WWI.

War Industries Board

Agency to coordinate war materials production during WWI.

Committee on Public Information

Agency promoting war effort through propaganda during WWI.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

Laws limiting civil liberties by punishing anti-war speech and actions.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

A plan for peace proposed by President Wilson to prevent future conflicts after WWI.

Self-determination

The right of nations to govern themselves without outside interference.

League of Nations

International organization aimed at promoting cooperation and preventing conflicts.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty ending WWI, imposing reparations on Germany.

Reparations

Payments by a defeated country to compensate for war damages.

Final result of WWI

Defeat of Central Powers, major geopolitical changes, and formation of new nations.