American Imperialism Flashcards
Neutrality
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”.
Isolationism
America’s foreign policy for most of its history; to stay isolated from foreign conflict
Reasons for U.S. Imperialism
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)
Albert Beveridge (Calls for an American Empire)
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.
Anti-imperialists
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
Mark twain (To the Person Sitting in Darkness)
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.
Gunboat diplomacy (Japan)
America used the threat of force to get Japan to open up trade with the US
Spanish American War (1898); U.S.S. Maine
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.
Yellow Journalism
- 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
Cuba, Platt Amendment; Guantanamo Bay
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.
Puerto Rico
Territory that became part of the US after we beat Spain
Philippine American War; Emilio Aguinaldo (Case Against the United States)
Another document you should review by a Filipino who opposed the US presence there.
Political cartoons: School Begins (Puck)
We looked at the cartoon in class with the children sitting in the front row and not wanting to be controlled by Uncle Sam.
Hawaii
US used imperialism to take over Hawaii
Grover Cleveland
opposed Hawaii annexation
William McKinley
supported Hawaii annexation
Seward’s Folly
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
Theodore Roosevelt; Big Stick Diplomacy
use threat of force to negotiate
William Taft; Dollar Diplomacy
use money to negotiate
Woodrow Wilson; Moral Diplomacy
use morality to negotiate; for example, we fought Germany in WWI because we were “fighting for democracy”
Panama Canal
made trade routes faster
Great War (WWI) 1914-1918
Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated; US is neutral at first; eventually joins Allies
Luistania-1915
German U-boats sink the British passenger ship, believing that it was smuggling weapons from the U.S.
Propaganda
The Committee for Public Information was America’s propaganda machine. They were Anti- German. Anti-war Americans were targeted.
1917- Service Act- America’s Draft
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
Imperialism
Extending power either by direct territorial acquisition, political control, or economic control
Reasons for Entry in to WWI
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)
Zimmerman note;
German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to Mexico offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German side.
Unrestricted submarine warfare
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.
