Topic 10:The Rise of American Power - Imperialism

Vocabulary Review

Imperialism

• Definition: A policy where a stronger nation extends its economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.

• Importance: Imperialism shaped global power structures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to U.S. expansion overseas and influencing foreign policy, notably during the Spanish-American War.

Causes and Effects of Annexation of Hawaii

• Definition: The U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898 after American planters and military interests overthrew the native monarchy.

• Causes: Economic interests (sugar plantations), strategic military location (Pearl Harbor), and U.S. business influence were pivotal in the annexation process.

• Effects: Hawaii became a U.S. territory, extending American influence in the Pacific and providing a key military base for future operations.

Reasons for American Expansion

• Definition: Motivations behind the U.S. extending influence beyond its borders in the late 1800s.

• Economic: The need for new markets and raw materials drove expansionist policies.

• Military: The desire for naval bases and a global presence was crucial for national security and trade.

• Cultural: The belief in the superiority of American values, influenced by Manifest Destiny and Social Darwinism, justified expansion.

Anti-Imperialist League

• Definition: A group formed in 1898 to oppose U.S. annexation of the Philippines and other imperialist actions.

• Importance: Highlighted the national debate over America's role in the world, contrasting ideals of liberty and democracy with control and empire.

Causes and Effects of the Spanish-American War

• Definition: A conflict between Spain and the U.S. in 1898 sparked by the explosion of the USS Maine and U.S. support for Cuban independence.

• Causes: Factors included yellow journalism, economic interests in Cuba, and humanitarian concerns for Cuban independence.

• Effects: The U.S. gained territories (Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico) and marked its emergence as a world power.

Key Treaties and Policies

Treaty of Paris

• Definition: The agreement that ended the Spanish-American War.

• Importance: Spain ceded control of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the U.S., marking the rise of the U.S. as a colonial power.

Yellow Journalism

• Definition: Sensationalized and exaggerated news reporting to attract readers.

• Importance: Fueled public support for the Spanish-American War by stirring emotions over events in Cuba, particularly the coverage of the USS Maine explosion.

Causes and Effects of Building the Panama Canal

• Definition: A U.S.-built waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, completed in 1914.

• Causes: The need for faster naval and commercial shipping routes was a significant motivator for the canal's construction.

• Effects: Boosted U.S. trade and military power, but involved controversial intervention in Panamanian independence from Colombia.

Roosevelt Corollary

• Definition: An addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating that the U.S. would intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability.

• Importance: Justified U.S. intervention in the Western Hemisphere and reflected America's growing role as a 'police power.'

Dollar Diplomacy

• Definition: President Taft's policy of promoting U.S. financial and business interests abroad, especially in Latin America.

• Importance: Used economic power rather than military force to extend influence, but often led to resentment and instability in targeted nations.

Historical Context and Analysis

Document Analysis

• Document 1: Alexander DeConde, A History of American Foreign Policy, 1963, discusses the Spanish-American War as a turning point in American foreign policy, marking the shift from isolationism to international involvement.

• Document 2: A political cartoon from the New York Herald illustrates President Theodore Roosevelt's involvement in the construction of the Panama Canal, symbolizing a more aggressive American presence abroad.

Cause and Effect Relationship

• The Spanish-American War (Document 1) caused a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, making the country more outward-looking and interventionist.

• This new role as a world power led to actions like Roosevelt's involvement in Panama (Document 2), where the U.S. facilitated Panamanian independence to build the Panama Canal.

• The canal project symbolizes the effect of the U.S. embracing its power to control trade and military movement between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Key Terms/Concepts

• Imperialism: A policy where a stronger nation extends its economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. It shaped global power structures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to U.S. expansion overseas and conflicts like the Spanish-American War.

• Annexation of Hawaii: The U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898 after American planters and military interests overthrew the native monarchy. Causes included economic interests (sugar plantations) and strategic military location (Pearl Harbor). Effects included Hawaii becoming a U.S. territory and extending American influence in the Pacific.

• Reasons for American Expansion: Motivations behind U.S. influence beyond its borders included economic needs for new markets, military desires for naval bases, and cultural beliefs in American superiority (Manifest Destiny and Social Darwinism).

• Anti-Imperialist League: Formed in 1898 to oppose U.S. annexation of the Philippines and other imperialist actions, highlighting the national debate over America's role in the world between ideals of liberty and control.

• Spanish-American War: A conflict in 1898 between Spain and the U.S. sparked by the USS Maine explosion and U.S. support for Cuban independence. It resulted in the U.S. gaining territories and marked its emergence as a world power.

Key Events

• Spanish-American War (1898): A conflict that marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, leading to the U.S. becoming a recognized world power with overseas territories.

• Annexation of Hawaii (1898): The U.S. annexed Hawaii, which became a key military base and extended American influence in the Pacific.

• Construction of the Panama Canal (Completed 1914): A U.S.-built waterway that connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, boosting U.S. trade and military power, but involved controversial intervention in Panamanian independence.

Fundamental Theories

• Roosevelt Corollary: An addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating that the U.S. would intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability, reflecting America's growing role as a 'police power.'

• Dollar Diplomacy: President Taft's policy of promoting U.S. financial and business interests abroad, especially in Latin America, using economic power rather than military force.

Key People

• Theodore Roosevelt: U.S. President known for his role in the construction of the Panama Canal and for implementing the Roosevelt Corollary, which justified U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Key Documents

• Treaty of Paris (1898): The agreement that ended the Spanish-American War, where Spain ceded control of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the U.S., marking the rise of the U.S. as a colonial power.

Facts to Memorize

• Imperialism: A policy where a stronger nation extends its control over weaker territories.

• Spanish-American War: A conflict in 1898 that marked the U.S. emergence as a world power.

• Treaty of Paris (1898): Ended the Spanish-American War, ceding territories to the U.S.

• Roosevelt Corollary: An addition to the Monroe Doctrine justifying U.S. intervention in Latin America.

• Dollar Diplomacy: Taft's policy of using economic power to extend U.S. influence.

Reference Information

• Key Dates: 1898 (Spanish-American War), 1914 (Completion of the Panama Canal).

• Key Figures: Theodore Roosevelt (President during the Panama Canal construction), William Howard Taft (Dollar Diplomacy).

• Key Locations: Hawaii, Panama, Cuba, Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico.

Cause and Effect