American Imperialism

Question 1

Neutrality

Answer 1

In 1914, at the start of the war, Wilson wanted the U.S. to stay neutral. In 1917, Wilson pushed for the U.S.’ involvement to fight “for democracy”.

Question 2

Isolationism

Answer 2

America’s foreign policy for most of its history; to stay isolated from foreign conflict

Question 3

Reasons for U.S. Imperialism

Answer 3

1) ECONOMIC industrialization required a) new markets and b) import of raw materials
2) MILITARY STRENGTH: U.S. must have powerful armed forces and navy to protect its economic interests
3) RACIAL SUPERIORITY: Anglo-Saxon (whites)

Question 4

Albert Beveridge (Calls for an American Empire)

Answer 4

This document is really important to understand from the packet, so please review it. Beveridge’s arguments in support of imperialism are connected to our nation’s past as a “city upon a hill”, racism and Manifest Destiny.

Question 5

Anti-imperialists

Answer 5

People such as Mark Twain, Samuel Gompers, Grover Cleveland, Booker T. Washington, Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams.

They argued against Kipling, saying expansion would take jobs away from Americans and cost a great deal to maintain a large army and navy
Not to mention, they were also against the racist element

Question 6

Mark twain (To the Person Sitting in Darkness)

Answer 6

Also a really important document to understand from the anti-imperialist position, so please review this one as well. Twain thought America was being hypocritical by engaging in imperialism.

Question 7

Gunboat diplomacy (Japan)

Answer 7

America used the threat of force to get Japan to open up trade with the US

Question 8

Spanish American War (1898); U.S.S. Maine

Answer 8

In the Intro document of the Imperialism packet it discusses how the Maine exploded but there is no proof that Spain did it. US declaration of war on Spain seems to many historians to be a rash and unnecessary decision.

Question 9

Yellow Journalism

Answer 9

• William Randolph Hearst- New York Journal
  vs.
• Joseph Pulitzer- New York World

Focus is selling newspapers.
Eye-catching headlines often EXAGGERATE the truth. Heavy reliance on “unnamed” sources
Pulitzer’s New York World competed with Hearst’s New York Journal

Question 10

Cuba, Platt Amendment; Guantanamo Bay

Answer 10

Once the US beat Spain, they acquired rights to Cuba but allowed Cuba to govern itself as long as it had a military base (Guantanamo Bay) on the island to keep an eye on things. Congress passed that through the Platt Amendment.

Question 11

Puerto Rico

Answer 11

Territory that became part of the US after we beat Spain

Question 12

Philippine American War; Emilio Aguinaldo (Case Against the United States)

Answer 12

Another document you should review by a Filipino who opposed the US presence there.

Question 13

Political cartoons: School Begins (Puck)

Answer 13

We looked at the cartoon in class with the children sitting in the front row and not wanting to be controlled by Uncle Sam.

Question 14

Hawaii

Answer 14

US used imperialism to take over Hawaii

Question 15

Grover Cleveland

Answer 15

opposed Hawaii annexation

Question 16

William McKinley

Answer 16

supported Hawaii annexation

Question 17

Seward’s Folly

Answer 17

Alaska purchased from Russia for $7.2M

Seward’s Folly: William Seward, who negotiated the sale, was made fun of purchased for trade, resources, barrier

Treaty of Cessation (1867) finalized the purchase

Question 18

Theodore Roosevelt; Big Stick Diplomacy

Answer 18

use threat of force to negotiate

Question 19

William Taft; Dollar Diplomacy

Answer 19

use money to negotiate

Question 20

Woodrow Wilson; Moral Diplomacy

Answer 20

use morality to negotiate; for example, we fought Germany in WWI because we were “fighting for democracy”

Question 21

Panama Canal

Answer 21

made trade routes faster

Question 22

Great War (WWI) 1914-1918

Answer 22

Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated; US is neutral at first; eventually joins Allies

Question 23

Luistania-1915

Answer 23

German U-boats sink the British passenger ship, believing that it was smuggling weapons from the U.S.

Question 24

Propaganda

Answer 24

The Committee for Public Information was America’s propaganda machine. They were Anti- German. Anti-war Americans were targeted.

Question 25

1917- Service Act- America’s Draft

Answer 25

24,000,000 men registered for the draft by the end of 1918.

4,800,000 men served in WW1 (2,000,000 saw active combat).

400,000 African-Americansserved in segregated units.

15,000 Native-Americans served as scouts, messengers, and snipers in non-segregated units

Question 26

Imperialism

Answer 26

Extending power either by direct territorial acquisition, political control, or economic control

Question 27

Reasons for Entry in to WWI

Answer 27

1) Naval blockade interfering with U.S. trade
2) USS Lusitania destroyed ~ Americans killed
3) Germany uses unrestricted submarine warfare
4) Zimmerman Note
5) Russia pulls troops after Russian Revolution (1917: HUGE DEAL)

Question 28

Zimmerman note;

Answer 28

German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to Mexico offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German side.

Question 29

Unrestricted submarine warfare

Answer 29

Germany declared the area around the British Isles a war zone, in which all merchant ships, including those from neutral countries, would be attacked by the German navy.