chapter 21 Flashcards
Describe politics in the 1890s-1900s.
Feared embrace of socialism or marxism
favored imperialism
American exceptionalism
idea that the United States had a unique destiny to foster democracy and civilization
What did Josiah Strong predict about the U.S
The anglo-Saxon race represented the largest liberty, purest Christianity, highest civilization and would spread itself over Earth.
Describe the correlation between Strong and imperialism
Imperialists would draw on popular racial theories (those of Anglo-Saxon descent are superior to others). Would deny American Indians, Asian immigrants, and Southern Blacks the right to vote.
What did Imperialists justify their views with
- new outlets were needed for American energy and enterprise as free land on the western frontier was dwindling.
- with racialized Social Darwinism (competition of races)
Describe Grover Cleveland’s secretary of state
Richard Olney
- warned europe to stay away from Latin America (which he saw as the US’ rightful sphere of influence)
- demanded that Britian resolve the long-standing border dispute between Venezuela and Britian’s neighboring colony, British Guiana
- Invoked Monroe Docrine
What did American policymakers do in response to European powers?
European powers were embarking on an arms race to build steel-plated battleships, so US also invested in latest weapons
What happened in 1895 in Cuba
- Cuba mounted major guerilla War against Spain (which lost most of NW territory)
- Caused yellow journalists (William Randolph Hearst) to turn plight into cause celebre
- led to surge of nationalism among those who feared industrialization - congress called for Cuban Independence
Why did President Cleveland and McKinley interfere with the Cuban Rebellion
- spain would not end it
- war disrupted trade and damaged American owned plantations on Cuba
- unstable Cuba is not compatible with US interests
Mckinley took office and told spain that they must establish peace, or the US would interfere
What was the resposne to Cleveland and Mckinley’s actions
Spain’s conservative gov. was replaced by the liberal government
Spanish loyalists in Havana rioated against proposal
Cuban rebels waned full independence not limited self rule
What did Hearst do in 1898
New York Journal published private letter in which Spanis Minister to US belittled McKinley
The minister resigned but this strengthened American hatred of Spain
- After that, the US battle cruiser Maine exploded and sunk in Havana Harbor.
Remember the Maine became national chant
What was Remember the Maine
a national chant
naval board believed that the maine exploded due to underwater mine, fueling public outrage (even though it was actually faulty ship design)
What did McKinley due on March 27 and April 11
March 27=
administer ultimatum to Madrid: ceasefire with Cuba and provide peace and independence.
April 11=
Asked Congress for authority to intervene in Cuba
What was the fight after April 11th known as?
Spanish-American War or War of 1898
Teller Amendment
reassured Americans that their country would uphold democracy abroad and at home
April 24 1898
Spain declared war on the United States
Describe the first decisive military engagement
occur in the Pacific due to Theodore Roosevelt
When American ships under George Dewey cornered Spanish fleet in Manila Bay and destroyed it
What did Dewey’s victory do?
direct policymaker’s attention to Hawaii
1876 treaty between US and Hawaii gave Hawaii access to American market.
When renewed in 1887, treaty granted a long-coveted lease for US naval base at Pearl Harbor
4 years later, Qyeen Liliuokalkani did not like this.
Annexation Club of US ovethrew Queen for annexation
grover Cleveland unlike this as it violated unbroken tradition against acquiring territory overseas
What did the victory in Manila do?
turn Hawaii into refueling station
congress authorized annexation of Hawaii
guam and puerto rico were annexed
July 3
spanish fleet in santiago harbor tried a desperate run through American blockade and was destroyed
days later, Spanish surrendered
Describe the Us and Spain armistice
Spain agrees to liberate Cuba and give Puerto Rico and Guam to US
future of Philippines is unclear
US only wanted to keep Manila because of fine harbor, but not sure now
How did McKinley justify annexation of Philippines
filipinos are unfit for self rule
Who enlisted in anti imperialist cause
jane addams
mark twain
anti imperialists
labor leaders warned union members about threat of competition from cheap filipino labor
some argued that filipinos and hawains were capable of self rule
some were worried about annexing dangerous 8 million fiiipinos
