APUSH Unit 7 Chapter 20 Vocab

Alaska Purchase

• The Alaska Purchase is the acquisition of Alaska by the United States from Russia in 1867.

• Originally negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward, the U.S. paid $7.2 million ( Approximately 2 cents per acre) for the territory. This purchase was initially criticized as "Seward's Folly" but later proved invaluable due to its natural resources.

New Imperialism

• New Imperialism refers to the period of colonial expansion by European powers and the United States from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

• Characterized by a race for colonies, it involved economic interests, military strategy, and nationalistic pride.

Pan-American Conference

• The Pan-American Conference was a series of meetings held from 1889-1890 aimed at promoting cooperation among the countries of the Americas.

• Suggested by U.S. Secretary of State James G. Blaine, it laid the groundwork for future inter-American cooperation and trade agreements.

Jingoism

• Jingoism is a term used to describe an aggressive nationalism that praises military action as a primary means of achieving national goals.

• This sentiment was prevalent in the U.S. during the lead-up to the Spanish-American War.

Yellow Journalism

• Yellow journalism is a sensationalist style of reporting that exaggerates or fabricates news to attract readers.

• This type of journalism played a significant role in stirring public support for the Spanish-American War by highlighting abuses in Cuba.

Spanish-American War

• Fought in 1898, this conflict between the United States and Spain was driven by American intervention in Cuban independence and imperial ambitions.

• The war resulted in the Treaty of Paris, ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S..

Maine

• The USS Maine was a U.S. Navy battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, leading to the rallying cry for war against Spain.

• Though the cause was uncertain, it fueled public sentiment for military intervention.

Rough Riders

• The Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry regiment formed during the Spanish-American War, led by Theodore Roosevelt.

• They gained fame for their charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

Hawaii; Liliuokalani

• Hawaii was annexed by the U.S. in 1898, following the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 by American sugar planters and business interests.

• This annexation played a significant role in U.S. Pacific strategy.

Philippine annexation

• After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. annexed the Philippines in 1898, despite opposition from the Anti-Imperialist League.

• This decision led to the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) as Filipinos resisted American control.

Anti-Imperialist League

• Formed in 1898, the Anti-Imperialist League opposed American imperialism, particularly the annexation of the Philippines.

• Prominent figures included Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie, who argued against the moral implications of imperialism.

Insular cases

• A series of Supreme Court cases in 1901, the Insular Cases determined the application of the U.S. Constitution in territories acquired by the U.S.

• Key decisions focused on whether full constitutional rights were extended to these territories.

Platt Amendment

• Passed in 1901, the Platt Amendment stipulated conditions for U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs, effectively making Cuba a U.S. protectorate.

• This amendment restricted Cuba's ability to sign treaties with other nations and required U.S. military intervention if necessary.

Spheres of influence

• Spheres of influence refer to regions where an outside power has exclusive rights and privileges, such as trade or mining.

• In the late 19th century, various powers established spheres in China, leading to tensions among them.

Open Door Policy

• Announced in 1899 by Secretary of State John Hay, the Open Door Policy aimed to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China.

• This policy opposed the establishment of colonies and was a response to European imperialism in Asia.

Boxer Rebellion

• The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was an anti-foreign uprising in China led by the "Boxers", who sought to end foreign influence in their country.

• The rebellion was suppressed by an international coalition, which included American forces, reinforcing Western influence in China.

Big-stick policy

• The Big Stick policy, associated with President Theodore Roosevelt, advocated for negotiating peacefully while simultaneously threatening military force when necessary.

• It was exemplified in U.S. interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Panama Canal

• The construction of the Panama Canal (1904-1914) was crucial for maritime trade, allowing ships to move between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans more efficiently.

• The U.S. supported Panama's independence from Colombia to secure rights to build the canal.

Roosevelt Corollary

• Issued in 1904, the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine asserted the U.S.’s right to intervene in Latin America to stabilize nations in economic distress.

• It was used to justify interventions in countries like the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

Great white fleet

• The Great White Fleet was a group of U.S. Navy ships that completed a circumnavigation of the globe from 1907 to 1909 under President Roosevelt to showcase American naval power.

Dollar diplomacy

• Dollar diplomacy was a term used to describe the U.S. foreign policy that aimed to extend American investments into less developed regions, particularly in Latin America and East Asia.

• This approach prioritized economic influence over military intervention.

Lodge Corollary

• The Lodge Corollary, proposed by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge in 1912, asserted that no foreign power should acquire any interest in Latin American territory, reinforcing Roosevelt's Corollary.

New Freedom

• New Freedom was a campaign platform proposed by Woodrow Wilson in 1912, promoting antitrust modification, tariff reform, and banking reform to create a more equitable economy.

Moral diplomacy

• Moral diplomacy, articulated by Wilson, aimed at promoting human rights and democracy in foreign countries, moving away from imperialistic policies to one of moral persuasion in international relations.