Chapter 10 America claims an empire Flashcards
Imperialism
The policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories. Was a trend around the world by the 1880s
Manifest Destiny
The belief that the US was destined to expand across the entire North American continent.
Empire
A large area of land ruled from one single point of government.
New Markets
New areas to sell products produced in the US. Included Asia and Africa.
Isolationism
The idea of isolating a country from others.
Alfred T. Mahan
Urged government officials to build up American naval power in order to compete with other powerful nations. US ended up building 9 cruisers.
Coaling stations
Storage of coal and fuel designed to fuel ships.
William H. Seward
Pushed for US to buy Alaska from Russia for 7.2 mill. in 1867. Many thought it wasn’t worth it. Called Alaska Seward’s Icebox/Seward’s Folly.
Midway Island
US took over Midway in 1867. Event didn’t attract attention since no one lives there.
Hawaiian Islands
Economically important for nearly 100yrs. Sugar plantations owned 3/4 of wealth. Sugar was duty-free until the McKinley Tariff of 1890. Planters pushed for US annexation so they don’t have to pay. Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown by Sanford B. Dole and John L. Stevens. Hawaii became american territory in 1898 and a state in 1959.
General Valeriano Wyler “The Butcher”
Wyler tried to crush the rebellion by herding 300,000 into concentration camps. Sparked outrage against the Spanish.
William Randolph Hearst- NY Journal
Printed exaggerated accounts of Weyler’s breutality. Stories of poisoned wells and shark feedings became the norm in his paper.
Joseph Pulitzer- NY World
Competed with Hearst’s journal and printed exaggerated stories as well.
Yellow Journalism
Sensational style of writing that exaggerates the news to lure and enrage reads.
Cuban rebels
Used active guerrilla campaigns and deliberately destroyed US property to provoke US to intervene and help achieve freedom
Enrique Dupuy de Lome
Wrote a letter that criticized Pres. McKinley; calling him weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd. Letter stolen by rebel and leaked to newspaper.
USS Maine
Warship sent to bring home endangered from fighting in Cuba. Warship blew up in Havana Harbor. killed more than 260 people. Unknown culprit but newspapers blamed it on Spain.
William McKinley
Pres. during war. Tried diplomatic approach first, then declared war on April 20, 1898.
Teller Amendment
An amendment that restricted the US from annexing Cuba, it stated that the US could only leave control of the island to its people.
George Dewey
Commodore of fleet who gave command to open fire on the Spanish fleet at Manila (Philippine capital). Destroyed every ship within hours.
Manila Bay
Bay where Spanish fleet was located. Fleet annihilated by American navy.