America Enters Global Affairs Flashcards

1
Q

What is imperialism?

A

When a nation takes over or gains influence in another location for economic, military, and/or political gain; often resulting in conflict.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What factors influenced the US to begin imperializing during the late 19th century?

A
  • 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 well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How did the United States gain Alaska?

A

The United States’ Secretary of State William Seward negotiated to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why did the United States want to purchase Alaska?

A
  • Alaska had valuable a timber industry and fur trade.
  • Alaska would be a useful location for the US military
  • (Decades late, Alaska was discovered to have other valuable resources; such as gold and oil).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Who was Queen Liliuokalani?

A

Hawaiian queen who promoted a Hawaii for Hawaiians agenda; was overthrow by the US Marines in 1894.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How did the United States gain Hawaii?

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was the controversy surrounding American acquisition of Hawaii?

A

Native Hawaiians and their leadership strongly opposed American annexation and wanted to maintain native rule.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why did the US enter the Spanish American War?

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What was the USS Maine?

A
  • 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 due to an internal issue– unrelated to the Spanish.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Who were the Rough Riders?

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What happened because of the Treaty of Paris (1898)?

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What was the Platt Amendment?

A

Amendment adopted after the Spanish American War, giving the US special economic, military, and political privileges in Cuba: including the construction of an American naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What controversies existed after the Spanish American War?

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Who was Emilio Aguinaldo?

A

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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why did some Americans oppose US imperialism?

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What was the Anti-Imperialist League?

A

Organization of Americans who were against US imperialism.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How did different US Presidents expand American imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th century?

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What were the causes and effects of American involvement in China?

A
  • Causes: 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What were the causes and effects of American involvement in Panama?

A
  • Causes: President Roosevelt sent 11 American battleships to Panama to overthrow the Columbian imperializers; 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is Big Stick Diplomacy?

A
  • President Roosevelt’s theory of maintaining and using a massive American military to further US interests around the globe.
  • Such as, in the effort to construct the Panama Canal.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What were the causes and effects of American involvement in Mexico?

A
  • Causes: After decades of American involvement in Mexican railroad and oil industries, revolutionaries overthrew (and killed) the Mexican President. This Mexican Revolution contributed to political chaos in Mexico.
  • Effects: Worried about the threat to American safety along the US-Mexican border, President Wilson sent US troops to region.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is Moral Diplomacy?

A

President Wilson’s theory that it was the US’ moral responsibility to use its military influence to protect American interests and safety around the globe; as well as the safety of those in other countries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How did American imperialism benefit the US during the late 19th and early 20th century?

A
  • It helped the US gain useful resources.
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How did American imperialism negatively impact the US during the late 19th century?

A
  • American imperialism hurt the way the US was viewed by other countries- imperializing places that did not want to be imperialized… after experiencing the same this in its own history.
  • Especially based on its handling of Hawaii and the Philippines- who strongly opposed American imperialism.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What long-term factors contributed to the start of World War I?

A

MAIN; Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is Militarism?

A

The belief that a country should develop and maintain a strong military force, and aggressively use it where necessary to defend the nation’s interests.

27
Q

What are Alliances?

A

An agreement between two or more countries to support each other during war.

28
Q

What is Nationalism?

A

An intense form of patriotism or loyalty to one’s country; exaggerating the importance of the home country and placing its interests above other nations.

29
Q

What were the causes and effects of the Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

A
  • Causes: Members of the Black Hand gang (from Serbia) killed Franz Ferdinand (and his pregnant wife) because they wanted to free Bosnia from Austria Hungary.
  • Effects: Austria-Hungary (and its ally Germany) declared war on Serbia, which then prompted Russia (and its allies France and GB) to declare war on Austria-Hungary, starting World War I.
30
Q

Why was the US hesitant about entering WWI when it first started?

A
  • The US had a large immigrant population from each of the warring countries.
  • Many Americans believed WWI as just another European war, far away- that would never impact the US.
31
Q

How did the US support warring countries before “officially” entering WWI?

A
  • American businesses sold food and war materials to warring nations (with way more benefits going to the Allies).
  • American banks loaned money to warring nations (again, with way more benefits going to the Allies).
32
Q

What is a u-boat?

A

A German submarine that targeted enemy and neutral vessels during WWI.

33
Q

What developments made American neutrality difficult between 1914 and 1917?

A
  • Germany’s decision to use submarine warfare, killing neutral civilians.
  • After agreeing to Wilson’s Sussex Ultimatum with the Sussex Pledge, Germany ended up resuming its commitment to unrestricted submarine warfare.
  • Germany’s decision to send the ZImmermann Telegeram to Mexico.
34
Q

What was the Lusitania?

A
  • A British passenger ship that left NYC- destined for Liverpool, England during WWI.
  • The ship was attacked and sunk by a German u-boat in 1915 following claims that American businesses were secretly sending supplies to the Allies on passenger ships.
  • 1195 people were killed, including 123 Americans; leading many Americans to want to go to war with Germany.
35
Q

What is unrestricted submarine warfare?

A
  • Germany’s policy of attacking any vessels that approached the British isles without warning- no matter what country they came from- no matter who was on the ship (military, merchant, or passenger).
  • Factored into the US decision to declare war.
36
Q

What was the Zimmermann Telegram?

A
  • Message sent by the German Foreign Secretary to the German Ambassador to Mexico, aimed at convincing Mexico to invade the United States- causing them to NOT be able to enter WWI.
  • This message was intercepted by British intelligence and given to the United States.
  • Factored into the US decision to declare war.
37
Q

Why did President Wilson request a declaration of war from Congress in 1917?

A
  • Germany’s decision to resume unrestricted submarine warfare.
  • Germany had killed neutral Americans due to these policies.
  • Germany was attempting to get Mexico to invade the US– making neutrality impossible for the US.
38
Q

What actions were taken by the President Wilson and Congress to mobilize the US for WWI?

A
  • Created the Committee of Public Information.
  • Created the Selective Service System
  • Created the US Food Administration.
39
Q

What is the Committee of Public Information (CPI)?

A
  • Government agency created during WWI to develop propaganda on behalf of the US war cause.
  • Led by George Creel, the CPI encouraged Americans to support the war effort in many ways.
40
Q

What is the Selective Service Act?

A

Government policy developed after the US entered WWI to register and draft American men into military service during the war.

41
Q

Why did some Americans remain opposed to fighting in WWI, even after the US declared war?

A

Some people opposed fighting for religious or political reasons; and resisted the military draft.

42
Q

What is a conscientious objector?

A

An individual who opposes fighting in war for religious, political, or other reasons; but is willing to serve in non-combatant support roles. (Cooks, medics, nurses, etc.)

43
Q

How did the US target antiwar attitudes or actions during WWI?

A
  • The US government created the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act. German-Americans were most targeted by these policies.
  • Elements of German culture were viewed as negative and dangerous during the war. Communities banned German newspapers, stopped selling German food in stores, prevented German language from being taught in schools, and even targeted German dog breeds.
44
Q

What was the Espionage Act?

A

WWI law passed to target the threat of foreign spies trying to undermine the American war effort.

45
Q

What was the Sedition Act?

A

WWI law passed to prevent any public speech that was anti-American or anti-war.

46
Q

How did WWI contribute to the spread of the Spanish Flu?

A
  • The spread of the Spanish Flu started at a Kansas military base and moved quickly through the crowded barracks.
  • Soldiers who were ill were shipped overseas, to crowded trenches where the disease spread to soldiers from other countries.
  • Civilians attended patriotic parades and worked in crowded factories where the illness spread rapidly as well.
47
Q

How did American women contribute during WWI?

A
  • Women worked as nurses with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, US Army Corps and US Naval Nurse Corps.
  • Bilingual women worked as telephone operators, called “Hello Girls”
  • Women took care of daily tasks while planting Liberty Gardens, rationing food, and conserving resources.
  • Women took on factory jobs building weapons and ammunition.
  • Women ran businesses, farms, and government offices.
48
Q

What is rationing?

A

The voluntary practice of using less food (or other resources) in order to save food for the war effort.

49
Q

What is the American Red Cross?

A

Volunteer organization through which many American women worked as nurses or doctors during WWI.

50
Q

How did WWI benefit the women’s suffrage movement?

A
  • Because women made so many contributions during WWI, people saw them in a new way and began respecting them more.
  • As a result, the United States (and several other countries) granted women the right to vote.
  • The 19th Amendment was passed right after the end of the war.
51
Q

How did Black Americans contribute during World War I?

A
  • Black Americans worked in northern factories, volunteered, and purchased liberty bonds.
  • Black men joined segregated military regiments.
52
Q

What were the Harlem Hellfighters?

A
  • Segregated regiment of Black American men who served in combat during WWI; because the US was hesitant to give them opportunities, they served under a French commander.
  • They won many awards for their heroism from the French government; and decades later the US government as well.
53
Q

How did American involvement in WWI contribute to the Great Migration?

A
  • Northern factories needed more workers to meet wartime demand as immigration slowed.
  • “Liberty trains” traveled to the South to recruit new workers.
  • Many Black Americans were excited at the prospect of better paying jobs and moving away from the Jim Crow South where segregation and racial violence remained.
54
Q

What is the American Expeditionary Force (AEF)?

A

The American military unit sent to serve on the western front in Europe during WWI.

55
Q

Who was John Pershing?

A

American General who commanded the AEF in Europe during WWI.

56
Q

How did America’s entry into WWI benefit the Allies?

A
  • The US provided many food and military resources to support their Allies in Europe.
  • The US provided “fresh legs” to the battered Allied military- just as Russia left the war- provided a morale boost.
  • The US helped support and lead important military operations; including: Battle of Saint Mihiel and the Second Battle of the Marne.
57
Q

What was President Wilson’s central goal in his 14 Point Plan?

A
  • Promote peace.
  • Encourage all countries to work in cooperation. Such as creating the League of Nations.
  • Ensure that WWI was a “war to end all wars.”
58
Q

What were the key provisions developed in the Treaty of Versailles at the Paris Peace Conference?

A
  • Germany was expected to demilitarize.
  • Germany and Russia were forced to give up territory.
  • Germany could no long have an alliance with Austria Hungary; and could not join the League of Nations.
  • Germany had to pay $33 billion in reparations to the Allies.
  • Germany had to accept full responsibly for causing WWI.
59
Q

What are reparations?

A

War debts required to be paid after a war.

60
Q

What is demilitarization?

A

Taking apart a country’s military forces.

61
Q

What was the “War Guilt Clause”?

A
  • The expectation that Germany accept full responsibility for causing WWI- due to its invasion of neutral Belgium.
  • Due to this clause, the Allies justified putting in place extreme punishments for Germany.
62
Q

Why were the 14 Point Plan and the Treaty of Versailles different?

A
  • The US entered the war later and suffered less damages during the war… whereas France and Great Britain faced major destruction.
  • Therefore France and Great Britain wanted to destroy Germany in the Treaty of Versailles
63
Q

How would the Treaty of Versailles result in future challenges?

A
  • The German economy completely collapsed as a result of the treaty terms- creating a domino effect of collapsing economies in other countries.
  • German frustration at how severe the Treaty of Versailles laid the groundwork for ongoing tensions and hatred among European nations.
  • (This all lays the groundwork for WWII)