America Enters Global Affairs Flashcards
What is imperialism?
When a nation takes over or gains influence in another location for economic, military, and/or political gain; often resulting in conflict.
What factors influenced the US to begin imperializing during the late 19th century?
- Economic: Desire for new markets to sell American goods and to gain access to new resources.
- Political: Desire to compete with other European nations who used imperialism to expand their global influence and power.
*Military: Desire to establish new naval bases around the globe to support a two-ocean, modernized American Navy.
*Cultural: Desire to spread American culture and ideas to populations around the globe (especially Christianity)
How did the United States gain Alaska?
The United States’ Secretary of State William Seward negotiated with Russia to purchase Alaska in 1867.
Why did the United States want to purchase Alaska?
- Alaska had valuable a timber industry and fur trade.
- Alaska would be a useful location for the US military.
(Later on, Alaska was discovered to have other valuable resources; such as gold and oil).
Who was Queen Liliuokalani?
Hawaiian queen who promoted a Hawaii for Hawaiians agenda; was overthrow by the US Marines in 1894.
Who was Sanford Dole?
American-born planter and businessman who assumed control of Hawaii after the queen was overthrown.
How did the United States gain Hawaii?
- After decades of Americans residing in and operating businesses in Hawaii, the US Marines arrived to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy (under Queen Liliuokalani) in 1894.
- Four years later, President William McKinley agreed to annex Hawaii as a US territory.
What was the controversy surrounding American acquisition of Hawaii?
Native Hawaiians and their leadership opposed American annexation. These Hawaiians believed that the US would continue to utilize Hawaii for American economic and military benefit; against the interests of the native population.
Why did the US enter the Spanish American War?
- The Cuban people were fighting a revolution to gain their independence from Spain when a Spanish General (Valeriano Weyler) established concentration camps on the island.
- Concerned that Americans living in Cuba (and their businesses) would be in danger, President McKinley sent a ship to Cuba to protect these people.
- In 1898, this ship mysteriously blew up in Havana, Cuba- Americans immediately blamed the Spanish and moved to declare war.
What was the USS Maine?
The American battleship stationed in Havana, Cuba in 1898. Its mysterious explosion was blamed on Spain, prompting the US to declare war against Spain in 1898. In reality, the ship blew up to an internal issue– unrelated to the Spanish.
Who were the Rough Riders?
- American calvary group that fought in many important battles during the Spanish American War.
- Led by Teddy Roosevelt, the group won critical victories in the Caribbean during the war.
What happened as a result of the Treaty of Paris (1898)?
- The Treaty of Paris of 1898 ended the Spanish American War.
- This treaty helped the United gain new territories overseas, including Guam and Puerto Rico; annex the Philippines; and gain influence in newly independent Cuba.
What was the Platt Amendment?
- Amendment added to the Cuban Constitution after the Spanish American War.
- It gave the US special economic, military, and political privileges in Cuba: including the construction of an American naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
- This increase in influence led to a communist revolt that overthrew an American-backed leader in Cuba decades later.
What controversies existed after the Spanish American War?
Many populations were frustrated that they had not gained their freedom at the end of the Spanish American War. This frustration resulted in the Philippine American War- where Filipinos fought for their independence from the US.
Who was Emilio Aguinaldo?
Filipino General and revolutionary leader, who helped lead the unsuccessful effort for the Philippines to win its independence from the US following the Spanish American War.
Why did some Americans oppose American imperialism?
Although there were benefits the US could gain from imperializing other parts of the world; those who opposed imperializing felt that it was morally wrong for the US to do so– and hypocritical. After all, the US was once imperialized by Great Britain and fought to gain its freedom.
Who was the Anti-Imperialist League?
Organization of Americans who were against American imperialism.
How did different US Presidents expand American imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th century?
- McKinley: Annexed Hawaii; entered the Spanish American War; gained trade access in China.
- Roosevelt: Helped the US establish the Panama Canal.
- Wilson: Promoted American involvement in the Mexican Revolution
What were the causes and effects of American involvement in China?
*Causes: The US wanted to compete with other countries to gain access to resources and markets in China. The US developed the Open Door Notes to eliminate spheres of influence, and enable the US to gain this access.
* Effects: A Chinese rebel group, “the Boxers,” organized the unsuccessful Boxer Rebellion against foreign influence in China.
What were the causes and effects of American involvement in Panama?
*Causes: President Roosevelt sent 11 American battleships to Panama to overthrow they Columbian imperializes; enabling the US access to build the Panama Canal.
* Effects: After constructing the Panama Canal, the US was able to significantly decrease the time it took to move goods from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean.
What is Big Stick Diplomacy?
President Roosevelt’s theory of maintaining and using a massive American military to assert US interests around the globe. Such as, in the effort to construct the Panama Canal.
What were the causes and effects of American involvement in Mexico?
*Causes: After decades of American involvement in Mexican railroad and oil industries, revolutionaries overthrew (and killed) the Mexican President. The Mexican Revolution that followed saw political chaos in Mexico.
* Effects: Worried about the threat to American safety along the US-Mexican border, President Wilson sent US troops to region.
What is Moral Diplomacy?
President Wilson’s theory that the US needed to use its military influence to protect American interests and safety around the globe; as well as the safety of those in other countries. He believed it was the US’ moral responsibility.
How did American imperialism benefit the US during the late 19th and early 20th century?
- It helped the US gain useful resources- including resources the US does not have itself.
- It helped the US expand its Navy and its naval bases globally.
- It helped the US become a greater world power.
- It helped the US expand its territory overseas.
