American Imperialism Flashcards
imperialism
the policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political or military control over weaker nations
manifest destiny
the belief that the United States had the right to extend its boundaries
Economic
- maintain industrial prosperity
- acquire raw materials from new markets
- find new markets for sale of American goods
Military
- show foreign powers the strength of US power
- build strong US Navy to protect shipping lanes
- establish US military bases overseas
Cultural
- belief in cultural superiority of the industrialized nations
- belief in cultural inferiority of nonindustrial societies
- belief in need to spread democracy and Christianity
How did America acquire Alaska and Hawaii?
Alaska: purchased from Russia by William Seward- $7.2 million
Hawaii: American sugar planters and marines overthrew Hawaiian government; annexed in 1898
How have each benefited the US since?
- agriculture: sugar, coconut, banana, pineapple
- military power: ship ports, military bases, security
- trade: raw materials: timber, minerals, oil
open door policy
policy that stated that no single country can have a monopoly on trade with china arranged by John hay
boxers
a rebel group in china that opposed the government
boxer rebellion
when the boxers worked together with the chinese government to drive out the foreigners. they failed
what happened in the philippines in 1902
american forces put down an independence movement in the Philippines, leading to the building of the panama canal to gain access to the Far East
panama canal
the canal started when teddy Roosevelt was in office. goes through panama, and connects the pacific and Atlantic oceans. finished building in 1914
how did panama become independent?
it belonged to columbia, which wouldn’t let the us built a canal, so teddy roosevelt funded a revolution in panama making it a new country. in 1921 the us finally paid columbia 25 million for the loss of panama
monroe doctrine
policy that barred european nations from intervening in latin america
roosevelt corollary
a threat that the US would enforce the monroe doctrine
1914 revolution
a revolution in mexico threatened US interests, so Woodrow Wilson sent ships after american sailors were arrested. 2 years later he sent troops when a Mexican revolutionary named pancho villa raided new mexico and killed 17 Americans.
speak softly and carry a big stick
a quote by Theodore Roosevelt. it regards us foreign affairs and is saying to first negotiate “speak softly” but be prepared to conduct military action “carry a big stick”
US Foreign Policy
- policing the world to maintain peace
- imperialist
sphere of influence
a country or area in which another country has power to affect developments although it has no formal authority.
