American Imperialism Flashcards
Europe was geographically distant; many Americans had ethnic roots on both sides of the conflict so picking a side would inevitably anger part of the population;
Reasons why the United States wanted to stay neutral before the First World War
Nations were very vulnerable to being pulled into each others’ wars, so a small conflict between two countries could quickly explode into a global crisis.
Consequences of the alliance system before World War I
A British passenger liner sunk by German U-boats in World War I. The large number of American passengers aboard the ship provoked American anger towards Germany.
The Lusitania
A highly sensationalized style of reporting that aims to sell more papers by inflaming public opinion
Yellow Journalism
A letter critical of US President McKinley, which was stolen from the Spanish ambassador Enrique Dupuy de Lome and published in an American newspaper.
The De Lome Letter
A Spanish general whose mistreatment of Cuban civilians helped draw the United States into the Spanish-American War
General Valeriano Weyler
When one nation tries to increase its power and influence in the world, either through military strength or through diplomacy.
Imperialism
The conference where the victorious Allied powers determined what they would do with the defeated Central powers after WWI.
Paris Peace Conference
The crown prince of Austria-Hungary, whose assassination in 1914 sparked the First World War
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The treaty that offcially ended World War I. Its harsh terms and demands for economic reparations were bitterly resented by the defeated Central powers, especially Germany.
Treaty of Versailles
Prohibited any European intervention in Cuba but gave America license to interfere if European powers violated it.
The Platt Amendment
A famous newspaper owner in the early 20th century who used yellow journalism to work up public anger against Spain
Joseph Pulitzer
A US battleship destroyed in a mysterious explosion in a Cuban harbor. This was the last straw for the US when it came to entering the Spanish-American War
U.S.S. Maine
