Key Content Terms in U.S. Imperialism

Key Content Terms in U.S. Imperialism

Imperialism

  • Definition: Empire building; the practice where stronger countries extend economic, political, and military control over weaker nations.

Foreign Policy

  • Definition: The set of guidelines and practices a nation follows in its relations with other nations.

Yellow Journalism

  • Definition: An exaggerated style of newspaper reporting during the 1890s.

  • Significance: Sparked by the rivalry between two New York City newspapers, it helped inflame public support for war with Spain.

U.S.S. Maine

  • Definition: A battleship that sank in Havana harbor in 1898.

  • Impact: This event helped to rouse public support for the war with Spain.

Anti-Imperialist League

  • Definition: An organization formed during the Spanish-American War to oppose the establishment of U.S. colonies.

Platt Amendment

  • Definition: A series of provisions insisted upon by the United States for Cuba's constitution in 1901.

  • Key Points:

    • Commanded Cuba to stay out of debt.

    • It gave the United States the right to intervene in Cuba.

    • Granted the U.S. the right to buy or lease Cuban land for naval and fueling stations.

Big Stick Policy

  • Description: President Theodore Roosevelt's strong-arm approach to foreign affairs.

  • Emphasizes: Diplomacy backed by force.

Roosevelt Corollary

  • Definition: An extension of the Monroe Doctrine announced by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904.

  • Claim: The U.S. has the right to protect its economic interests by military intervention in the affairs of Western Hemisphere nations.

Monroe Doctrine

  • Definition: A policy of U.S. opposition to any European interference in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere.

  • Proclaimed by: President Monroe in 1823.

Moral Diplomacy

  • Definition: President Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy approach focused on promoting democratic ideals abroad.

Open Door Policy

  • Definition: A U.S. policy issued in 1899 that stated foreign nations must allow free trade in China.

Sphere of Influence

  • Definition: Areas where a single nation controlled trading rights, as foreign powers did in China during the 1890s.

Panama Canal

  • Definition: An artificial waterway cut through the Isthmus of Panama to provide a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

  • Opened: 1914.