APUSH Vocab

Alfred Thayer Mahan: A U.S. naval officer and historian whose writings on naval strategy influenced the development of the U.S. Navy and imperialist policies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Queen Liliuokalani: The last monarch of Hawaii who was overthrown in 1893 by a group of American business interests, leading to the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898.

Pan-American Conference: A series of meetings between the United States and Latin American countries, initiated in the late 19th century, aimed at promoting economic cooperation and diplomatic relations.

Jingoism: Extreme patriotism, often associated with aggressive foreign policy or militarism, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Cuban Revolt: The Cuban struggle for independence from Spain, which began in the late 19th century and led to the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized and often exaggerated news reporting, particularly associated with newspaper publishers William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, which contributed to the public's support for the Spanish-American War.

De Lome Letter: A letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the U.S., Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, which criticized President William McKinley, contributing to tensions between the U.S. and Spain prior to the Spanish-American War.

Teller Amendment: A 1898 amendment to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain, which stated that the U.S. would not annex Cuba, reinforcing the idea that the U.S. was not seeking imperial control over the island.

Platt Amendment: A 1901 amendment to the Cuban Constitution that restricted Cuba's sovereignty and allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs, maintain a naval base at Guantanamo Bay, and protect U.S. interests.

Sphere of Influence: A region where a foreign nation has significant control or influence over economic, political, or military affairs, often without formal colonization.

George Dewey: A U.S. naval officer best known for his victory over the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

Emilio Aguinaldo: Leader of the Filipino independence movement against Spain and later against the United States, following the annexation of the Philippines by the U.S.

Rough Riders: A volunteer cavalry regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War, famous for its charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

Hawaii: An island chain in the Pacific Ocean that was annexed by the United States in 1898, following the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.

Theodore Roosevelt: The 26th President of the United States, known for his progressive domestic policies, leadership during the Spanish-American War, and for expanding U.S. influence globally through initiatives like the Panama Canal and the Roosevelt Corollary.

Open Door Policy: A U.S. policy, initiated in 1899, that aimed to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China and prevent the division of China into exclusive spheres of influence.

Boxer Rebellion: A 1900 uprising in China led by the "Boxers," a nationalist group, against foreign influence and Christian missionaries, which was suppressed by an international coalition, including the U.S.

Panama Canal: A major engineering project completed in 1914, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was built by the U.S. after the Panama region gained independence from Colombia with U.S. support.

William Howard Taft: The 27th President of the United States, known for his foreign policy of "Dollar Diplomacy," which sought to promote American economic interests abroad.

Dollar Diplomacy: A policy promoted by President William Howard Taft that sought to advance U.S. interests by using economic power and investments, particularly in Latin America and East Asia.

Roosevelt Corollary: An addition to the Monroe Doctrine, declared by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, which stated that the U.S. could intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European intervention.

Russo-Japanese War: A 1904-1905 conflict between Russia and Japan over control of territory in Manchuria and Korea, which ended in Japan's victory and led to Japan's rise as a world power.

Puerto Rico: An island in the Caribbean that was ceded to the U.S. by Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898. It became a U.S. territory, and its residents became U.S. citizens in 1917.

Woodrow Wilson: The 28th President of the United States, known for leading the U.S. during World War I, promoting the League of Nations, and advocating for moral diplomacy.

Moral Diplomacy: A foreign policy strategy promoted by President Woodrow Wilson, which focused on promoting democracy, human rights, and ethical conduct in U.S. foreign relations.

Pragmatism: A philosophical movement, associated with figures like William James and John Dewey, emphasizing practical solutions to problems and the importance of experience and action over theory.

Ida Tarbell: A pioneering muckraker journalist who exposed the monopolistic practices of Standard Oil, contributing to the eventual breakup of the company.

Jacob Riis: A journalist and social reformer known for his photography and writing on the poor living conditions in New York City, particularly in his book How the Other Half Lives.

Muckrakers: Investigative journalists in the early 20th century who exposed corruption, social injustices, and corporate wrongdoing in their work.

Florence Kelley: A social reformer who fought for labor rights, including child labor laws and better working conditions for women and children.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire: A deadly factory fire in New York City in 1911 that killed 146 workers, mostly women, and led to significant labor reforms in workplace safety and labor laws.

16th Amendment: The 1913 amendment to the U.S. Constitution that authorized the federal government to levy an income tax.

17th Amendment: The 1913 amendment to the U.S. Constitution that established the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, instead of being chosen by state legislatures.

18th Amendment: The 1919 amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, leading to the period known as Prohibition.

Square Deal: Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program, which aimed to ensure fairness for all Americans by regulating business, protecting consumers, and conserving natural resources.

Mann-Elkins Act: A 1910 law that extended the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate telephone, telegraph, and railroad companies.

The Jungle (Upton Sinclair): A 1906 novel by Upton Sinclair that exposed the unsanitary and exploitative conditions of the meatpacking industry, leading to food safety reforms, including the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

"Bull Moose" Party: The Progressive Party, founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 after a split with the Republican Party, which advocated for progressive reforms and a strong federal government.

Booker T. Washington: An African American educator and leader who advocated for vocational education and economic self-reliance for African Americans, as opposed to immediate social and political equality.

W.E.B. Du Bois: An African American scholar and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and advocated for immediate political and social equality for African Americans.

NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909 to fight for civil rights and equality for African Americans.

Alice Paul: A suffragist and women's rights activist who played a key role in the campaign for the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

19th Amendment: The 1920 amendment to the U.S. Constitution that granted women the right to vote.

Lusitania: A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, and contributing to the U.S. entry into World War I.

Preparedness: A policy advocated by President Woodrow Wilson before U.S. entry into World War I, calling for military readiness and increased defense spending.

Zimmerman Telegram: A 1917 secret diplomatic communication from Germany to Mexico, proposing a military alliance against the U.S., which was intercepted and contributed to the U.S. entry into World War I.

John J. Pershing: The commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, responsible for leading U.S. troops to victory in Europe.

George Creel: The head of the U.S. Committee on Public Information during World War I, responsible for promoting pro-war propaganda and boosting public support for the war.

Bolsheviks: A radical socialist faction led by Vladimir Lenin that seized power in Russia in 1917, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.

Fourteen Points: A speech by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918 outlining his vision for a post-World War I peace settlement, including the establishment of the League of Nations and the promotion of democracy and self-determination.

League of Nations: An international organization established after World War I, as part of the Treaty of Versailles, aimed at maintaining peace and preventing future conflicts. The U.S. did not join.