Untitled Flashcards Set

Imperialism ##### Annexation of Hawai’i - Why: Strategic location in the Pacific, economic interests (sugar plantations), and military (naval base at Pearl Harbor). - How: Overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani by U.S. businessmen (with U.S. Marine support); annexed in 1898 under President McKinley. ##### Spanish-American War - Causes: U.S. support for Cuban independence, yellow journalism, explosion of USS Maine. - Major Battles: Battle of Manila Bay, Battle of San Juan Hill. - Outcome: U.S. victory; Spain gave up control of Cuba, ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. - Impact: U.S. became a global imperial power. ##### Sinking of the USS Maine - What: U.S. battleship exploded in Havana Harbor, killing 260+. - Significance: Blamed on Spain (without clear evidence); sparked public demand for war — "Remember the Maine!" ##### Treaty of Paris (1898) - Terms: Ended Spanish-American War. - Territories Gained: Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico; Cuba became a U.S. protectorate. ##### Emilio Aguinaldo - Who: Filipino revolutionary leader. - Role: Fought with U.S. against Spain, then led resistance against U.S. rule in the Philippine-American War.

#### World War I ##### Outbreak of WWI - Trigger: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914). - U.S. Neutrality: Wanted to avoid European entanglements; followed isolationism. ##### Zimmermann Telegram - What: Secret German message to Mexico proposing alliance against U.S. - Impact: Outraged Americans and pushed U.S. closer to war. ##### U-Boat Attacks - What: German submarines sank ships (e.g., Lusitania) without warning. - Effect: Threatened American lives/trade; turned public opinion toward war. ##### Selective Service Act (1917) - Purpose: Drafted men into the military during WWI. ##### War Industries Board - Role: Managed war production, allocated resources, standardized products. ##### Espionage and Sedition Acts - What: Laws that limited anti-war speech and actions. - Effect: Restricted civil liberties, targeted dissenters (e.g., Eugene V. Debs).

#### World War II ##### Appeasement and Hitler - Appeasement: Britain/France let Hitler take territory (e.g., Sudetenland) to avoid war. - Effect: Emboldened Hitler to invade more countries. ##### Start of WWII - Event: Germany invaded Poland on Sept 1, 1939. ##### Neutrality Acts - What: Laws to keep U.S. out of foreign wars. - Effect: Restricted arms sales/loans to nations at war. - Neutrality Act of 1935: Prohibited the export of arms, ammunition, and implements of war from the U.S. to foreign nations at war and required U.S. citizens traveling in war zones to do so at their own risk.

• Neutrality Act of 1936: Forbade loans or credits to belligerents

U.S. Handling of Japan Before WWII - Actions: Embargoes on oil and materials; froze Japanese assets due to aggression in Asia. ##### Selective Training and Service Act (1940) - Significance: First peacetime draft in U.S. history. ##### Lend-Lease Bill (1941) - What: U.S. provided military aid to Allies (especially Britain and USSR). - Effect: Supported Allies without direct involvement. ##### Cash and Carry Policy - How: Nations could buy U.S. arms if they paid cash and transported them. - Goal: Help Allies while maintaining neutrality. ##### Pearl Harbor Attack - When: Dec 7, 1941. - Significance: Prompted U.S. entry into WWII. ##### War Production Board - Role: Oversaw conversion of factories to war production; rationing. ##### Manhattan Project - What: Secret project to develop atomic bomb. - Importance: Led to bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ##### Japanese Internment Camps - Who: 120,000+ Japanese Americans (many citizens). - Why: Fear of espionage after Pearl Harbor; based on race, not evidence. ##### Bombing of Japan - Cities: Hiroshima (Aug 6) and Nagasaki (Aug 9), 1945. - Goal: Force Japan to surrender; end the war quickly. ##### Potsdam Declaration - Demand: Unconditional surrender of Japan. - Warning: “Prompt and utter destruction” if they refused.

#### DBQ/Essay Questions – How to Prepare 1. Why the U.S. joined WWI & WWII: - WWI: Zimmermann Telegram, U-boat attacks. - WWII: Pearl Harbor, fascist aggression, aiding Allies. 2. Change in Foreign Policy: - WWI: Isolation to intervention. - WWII: More active support for Allies (Cash-and-Carry, Lend-Lease) before full involvement. 3. Atomic Bomb Debate: - For: End war quickly, save lives, show power. - Against: Civilian deaths, moral/ethical concerns, Japan was close to surrender. 4. Security vs. Civil Liberties: - WWI: Espionage/Sedition Acts limited speech. - WWII: Japanese internment based on ethnicity.