MODULE 4: AGE OF EMPIRE

Question 1

What was the role of American missionaries in the expanding American empire at the end of the 19th century?

Answer 1

Missionaries spread American values, culture, and democratic structure as well as the gospel.
Americans saw it as a moral responsibility to spread their values and version of democracy throughout the world.

Question 2

The works and ideas of both Frederick J. Turner and Alfred T. Mahan significantly influenced the ambitions and policy of America in the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Which best describes the impact of their ideas?

Answer 2

They laid the intellectual groundwork and practical roadmap for the creation of an American empire.

Question 3

What did Frederick J. Turner do that was significant towards the ambitions and policy of America in the late 19th century and beginning of 20th century?

Answer 3

Turner laid the intellectual groundwork for an American empire by popularizing the idea that the frontier defined and created American identity and values, and that we needed to expand into new frontiers.

Question 4

What did Alfred t. Mahan do that was significant towards the ambitions and policy of America in the late 19th century and beginning of 20th century?

Answer 4

Mahan proposed the creation of a modern navy as a way to practically build this empire.

Question 5

America was not the only nation with interests in the Pacific. Other nations saw the strategic importance and fought for control of territory in the Pacific islands. What statement best describes the outcome of the Tripartite Convention following the Somoan Crisis?

Answer 5

Samoa was partitioned into American Samoa and German Samoa.
Germany, America, and Great Britain all had interests in Samoa. Great Britain relinquished rights to Samoa in exchange for German-controlled territory on other islands. Germany and America then partitioned Samoa into two sides. Today America still controls one side - American Samoa - as an unincorporated territory. The German side was granted independence in 1962 and is now known simply as Samoa.

Question 6

Frederick Jackson Turner’s frontier theory influenced American ideas and politics for nearly a century. The main idea of the theory is that ________

Answer 6

American democracy was formed by the frontier, and America needed continual expansion

Question 7

Alfred Thayer Mahan provided a practical guide for the creation of an American empire. What did he propose that America should focus on?

Answer 7

The creation of a naval fleet and the acquisition of naval bases

Question 8

How did economic pressure influence the United States’ foreign involvement in the late 19th century?

Answer 8

The United States needed to tap foreign markets in order to continue to grow economically.

Question 9

What reason did President Grover Cleveland give for opposing the annexation of Hawaii?

Answer 9

The provisional government had never existed with the consent of the people.

Question 10

What approach did William Seward take to American foreign policy during his tenure as Secretary of State between 1861 and 1869?

Answer 10

He sought to extend American influence in both Asia and Latin America.
Seward wanted to see America “control the world” and he focused specifically on treaties with Nicaragua that would pave the way for a canal across central America, and securing Asian trade routes.

Question 11

Many prominent Americans opposed the creation of an American empire and formed the Anti-Imperialist League. The reasons Americans opposed imperialism were varied. Which of the following was one reason for opposing expanded American imperialism?

Answer 11

Imperialism violated the democratic principle that just government must derive from “consent of the governed.”
This was the stated view of the Anti-Imperialist League. Many Americans felt that the idea of annexing colonies was in direct opposition to the American ideals of self-governance.

Question 12

Many Americans saw the war against Spain in Cuba as a fight for human rights and for the liberation of an oppressed people. Why, then, did the U.S. Navy attack Spanish colonies in Asia?

Answer 12

The United States wanted to expand its markets and its empire.
The United States had larger aspirations than simply liberating Cuba. America wanted to extend its empire, and seizing Spanish assets in the South Pacific would further Mahan’s vision of a network of Naval bases in the South Pacific, as well as expanding the U.S. markets for resources and trade.

Question 13

As a part of the Spanish-American War, the United States took control of the island nation of Guam. What is the relationship between Guam and the United States today?

Answer 13

Guam is a territory of the United States with their own elected governor and legislature, but no voting power in the House of Representatives.
Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States. It has limited self-governance - natives of Guam elect their own governor, legislature, and have an independent court system. The island of Guam sends one representative to congress, but that representative does not have a vote outside of committee. People born on Guam have American citizenship, but they cannot vote in the U.S. presidential election.

Question 14

When the United States replaced Spain as an occupying force in the Philippines, the Filipino people fought back again, this time waging guerilla-style warfare against the American military. What was the outcome of the Philippine-American War?

Answer 14

Filipino forces were under equipped and rebels lost influence with the American implementation of reforms; fighting eventually stopped in 1901.
Even though they were outgunned, brutal fighting continued for four years. Eventually, rebels lost influence when the Taft Commission implemented infrastructure improvements and civic reform. Aguinaldo was captured in 1901, and pockets of resistance dwindled.

Question 15

What was the strategy of the Taft Commission in regards to the Philippines?

Answer 15

To win over the Filipino people by implementing civic reform and improved infrastructure.

Question 16

How did the Taft Commission win over the Filipino people?

Answer 16

William Howard Taft was appointed civil governor in the Philippines. The Taft Commission implemented reforms meant to modernize and improve life in the Philippines. Americans built new roads, schools, and hospitals. They offered government appointments to resistance leaders to win their support. The strategy worked, and Philippine rebels lost influence.

Question 17

Despite Cuba’s independence, it was still an important part of the growing American empire. How did the Platt Amendment define America’s relationship with Cuba?

Answer 17

The Platt Amendment limited the authority of the Cuban government and gave the U.S. legal authority to intervene.

Question 18

Following America’s seizure of the Philippines from Spain, the Filipino people wondered if America would support their efforts for independence or would replace Spain as a colonial occupying force. What was the opinion of American leadership regarding America’s relationship with the Philippines?

Answer 18

The Philippines were strategically useful to the U.S., and the Filipino people were incapable of governing themselves.

Question 19

How did the United States expand their empire to include the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines?

Answer 19

Spain ceded those territories to the United States following the Spanish-American War.

Question 20

When the United States came to the Philippines during the Spanish-American War, the Filipino people were already fighting for independence against the Spanish. Under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo, Filipino fighters helped the United States defeat Spain. Which best describes what followed this victory?

Answer 20

The United States replaced Spain as an occupying force in the Philippines.

Question 21

Which of the following increased the public support for war against Spain in Cuba?

Answer 21

The explosion of the USS Maine

Question 22

What was the role of Black Americans in the Spanish-American War?

Answer 22

Black veterans were integral to the success of the U.S. Army in Cuba.
One reporter wrote “If it had not been for the Negro calvary, the Rough Riders would have been exterminated.” Theodore Roosevelt said “no one can tell whether it was the Rough Riders or the men of the 9th [a Black regiment] who came forward with the greater courage to offer their lives in the service of their country.”

Question 23

How was Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” an example of America’s foreign policy approach with Japan?

Answer 23

Rather than engage militarily, the United States’ interactions with Japan were a diplomatic balance between showing force and demonstrating goodwill.
The voyage of Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” was officially a goodwill tour, and Japan accepted it as such. However, it was also very much a demonstration of the United States’ naval capabilities - particularly the ability of the U.S. Navy to operate far from home in the Pacific.

Question 24

Which of the following is an example of President Taft’s “dollar diplomacy” in action?

Answer 24

Arranging international financing to help China further develop the railroad industry.

Question 25

In a speech before congress in 1904, President Teddy Roosevelt articulated what became known as “the Roosevelt Corollary,” an expansion of the Monroe Doctrine. Which of the following statements below best describes the Roosevelt Corollary?

Answer 25

The United States had the right to intervene in the internal affairs of any country in the Western Hemisphere if they committed flagrant and chronic wrongdoings.

Question 26

William Howard Taft promoted a foreign policy approach coined “dollar diplomacy,” which differed slightly from the methods of his predecessor. What is the best definition of dollar diplomacy?

Answer 26

Furthering the United States’ aims in Latin America by using its economic power to guarantee loans made by other foreign countries.

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of President Roosevelt’s “big stick” approach to foreign policy?

Answer 27

Sending the Great White Fleet to tour the world while negotiating with Japan over immigration

Question 28

How was the United States’ relationship with Japan different from its relationship with the rest of East Asia?

Answer 28

Japan’s rising power meant that Roosevelt felt he had to cultivate a less-hostile relationship.

Question 29

How did the United States’ response to the Boxer Rebellion demonstrate America’s ultimate aims in China?

Answer 29

The U.S. sent troops over to quell the rebellion, demonstrating their commitment to protecting American commercial access to China.

Question 30

When the Columbian senate rejected the treaty that would have allowed the United States to lease the land across Panama and indefinitely administer the Panama Canal, Roosevelt sent warships to the coast of Panama, and assisted the Panamanians in declaring independence from Colombia. America immediately recognized the new nation of Panama and were successful in signing the same treaty with the fledgling nation, giving the U.S. the ability to build the canal. This is an example of

Answer 30

Big stick diplomacy.

Question 31

Following the Spanish-American War, as America expanded its empire, it began to look to Asia. What was the objective of the U.S. government in China?

Answer 31

To maintain open markets for American business, and to prevent territorial boundaries.

Question 32

Upon his inauguration to the Presidency, Theodore Roosevelt was determined to build a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 1902, Secretary of State Hay signed a treaty with Colombian Foreign minister Thomas Herran to lease the land across the isthmus of Panama to the United States to build a canal. However, the Colombian people were not happy with the terms of the agreement, and the Colombian senate failed to ratify the treaty. How did President Roosevelt respond to the failed treaty?

Answer 32

He sent Naval warships to the coast of Panama to support Panamanian independence.
The United States then immediately recognized Panama as an independent nation and signed a treaty with the new Panamanian government to build a canal, with the same terms as in the previous failed treaty with Columbia.

Question 33

In 1904 the United States dispatched gunboats to the Dominican Republic and demanded that the customs house be turned over to U.S. negotiators. The Dominican Republic was heavily in debt, and the U.S. was concerned that it was about to become a failed state. The United States intervened in this autonomous nation in order to ensure that it was fiscally and politically stable. What is this an example of?

Answer 33

The Roosevelt Corollary

Question 34

As America sought to expand their empire they turned to economic influence, as well as military power. At this time, the Open Door Notes heavily influenced United States foreign policy. What were the Open Door Notes?

Answer 34

Circular notes sent by Secretary of State John Hay stating that all nations should have total and equal access to Chinese ports and markets.

Question 35

How did the foreign policy approach of William Howard Taft differ from that of his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt?

Answer 35

He attempted to minimize the use of threat or force and instead further national goals by using the United States’ economic power.

Question 36

What were the boxer’s goals?

Answer 36

The Boxers sought to eliminate Western influence and Christian missionaries in China. America intervened by sending troops, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to ensuring that it had continued free access to China’s commercial markets.

Question 37

What does The Roosevelt Corollary state?

Answer 37

The Roosevelt Corollary states that the United States has a right to intervene in the internal affairs of Latin American nations if those nations committed flagrant and chronic wrongdoings, or if their stability was at risk.

Question 38

“In the West Indies and the Philippines alike we are confronted by most difficult problems. It is cowardly to shrink from solving them in the proper way; for solved they must be, if not by us, then by some stronger and more manful race. If we are too weak, too selfish, or too foolish to solve them, some bolder and abler people must undertake the solution. Personally, I am far too firm a believer in the greatness of my country and the power of my countrymen to admit for one moment that we shall ever be driven to the ignoble alternative.”

Answer 38

As a weaker and less-civilized race, in need of the intervention by “stronger” nations

Question 39

In his speech, “The Strenuous Life” Theodore Roosevelt said
“A life of ignoble ease, a life of that peace which springs merely from lack either of desire or of power to strive after great things, is as little worthy of a nation as of an individual. I ask only that what every self-respecting American demands from himself and from his sons shall be demanded of the American nation as a whole. Who among you would teach your boys that ease, that peace, is to be the first consideration in their eyes-to be the ultimate goal after which they strive?”

Question 40

Following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, the Mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, called on the United States to do more to provide aid to the territory. Then President Trump tweeted in response “Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help. They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort. 10,000 federal workers now on island doing a fantastic job.”

Answer 40

A strong people should be able to help themselves; welfare creates weak people and weak nations.

Question 41

How did Roosevelt see the Philippines?

Answer 41

Roosevelt saw the Philippines and the Islands of the West Indies as needing to be managed and governed by a “stronger and more manful race.”

Question 42

How did the views Roosevelt articulated in this speech influence American imperialism?

Answer 42

Americans believed they could find strength as a nation only through competition, struggle, and expansion.

Question 43

The following is taken from the Supreme Court opinion issued in Downes vs. Bidwell.

“Choice in some cases, the natural gravitation of small bodies toward large ones in others, the result of a successful war in still others, may bring about conditions which would render the annexation of distant possessions desirable. If those possessions are inhabited by alien races, differing from us in religion, customs, laws, methods of taxation, and modes of thought, the administration of government and justice according to Anglo-Saxon principles may for a time be impossible, and the question at once arises whether large concessions ought not to be made for a time…”

How do the ideas of Social Darwinism contribute to the decision on how new territories acquired by the United States be treated?

Answer 43

Americans believed that some races were not prepared for or capable of living by Anglo-Saxon principles of law and governance.
This meant that some territories were incorporated - and on a track for statehood, while some territories remained unincorporated - and were viewed as a possession of the United States, and some, but not all, Constitutional protections were offered to the residents of those territories. Americans just didn’t believe that all races were worthy of equal Constitutional protections and privileges.

Question 44

In Rudyard Kipling’s Poem “The White Man’s Burden” it states

Take up the White Man’s burden—

Send forth the best ye breed—

Go send your sons to exile

To serve your captives’ need

Kipling believed that nations like the United States had an important role to play in the world. His views shaped those of leaders like Theodore Roosevelt. According to Kipling, what is the “White man’s burden?”

Answer 44

To spread their empire and lift up the Native people in the nations they colonize
Kipling and Roosevelt believed that more “civilized” nations like the United States had a burden to colonize, and thus “lift up” weaker, “less-civilized” people, like those in the Pacific and in Asia.

Question 45

Which of the following is the best description of “dollar diplomacy,” a foreign policy approach taken by the administration of President Taft?

Answer 45

Using the United States’ economic clout to coerce countries into agreements beneficial to the United States.

Question 46

What is dollar diplomacy?

Answer 46

the use of a country’s financial power to extend its international influence.

Question 47

Emilio Aguinaldo led Filipino troops alongside American soldiers to liberate the Philippines from the Spanish. What followed the Spanish surrender to the United States in September 1898?

Answer 47

Spain continued to contest the American annexation of the Philippines with isolated, guerrilla style attacks.

Question 48

Which statement below best describes one of the reasons President Grover Cleveland opposed the annexation of Hawaii?

Answer 48

The planters who launched the coup did not have significant support from the local population.

Question 49

Which of the following contributed to the Senate deciding to ratify the Treaty of Paris?

Answer 49

news of a Filipino uprising

Question 50

The Supreme Court case Gonzales vs. Williams determined whether a Puerto Rican woman, Isabel Gonzales, was considered a U.S. citizen or an foreign alien in immigrating to the United States. It was determined that she (and all other Puerto Ricans) were neither foreign aliens or U.S. citizens, but “non-citizen nationals.” Here is a section of the Supreme Court opinion in that case:

“It is manifest that Congress, in enacting the immigration laws, found it necessary for our welfare to exclude the dangerous or burdensome classes of foreigners enumerated in those laws; and the court has sustained in the broadest terms the sovereign right of the nation to exclude aliens and the authority of Congress to enact the laws necessary for that purpose, and has noted the purpose and motive of the laws.”

How did the ideas of Social Darwinism influence the Supreme Court ruling in Gonzales vs. Williams?

Answer 50

The United States didn’t have to offer citizenship to people they perceived as naturally inferior.

Question 51

What is gunboat diplomacy?

Answer 51

the foreign policy that is supported by the use or threat of military force.

Question 52

Following the Civil War, the United States looked beyond its borders and began to take its place on the world stage. Each President took a slightly different approach to achieving foreign policy objectives. Which of the following is an example of “gunboat diplomacy?”

Answer 52

Dispatching warships to support Panamanian independence after the Colombian senate rejected the Panama canal treaty.
Dispatching warships to support Panamanian independence after the Colombian senate rejected the Panama canal treaty.

Forcing arbitration to break the naval blockade of Venezuela by Great Britain and Germany.
Forcing arbitration to break the naval blockade of Venezuela by Great Britain and Germany.

Question 53

What was a main motivating force for the American public support of war against Spain in Cuba?

Answer 53

There was a strong desire to annex Cuba as a part of an expanding American empire.