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.
Yellow fever
Deadly disease transmitted from mosquitoes. Often lethal.
Rough Riders
volunteer cavalry under Leonard Wood & Theodore Roosevelt. Fought on foot because horses didn’t reach Cuba in time.
Congressional Medal of Honor
Highest award in US military. Awarded for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Kettle Hill
Rough Riders led uphill charge on Kettle Hill to clear way for infantry attack on San Juan Hill.
Blockade of Santiago Bay
Spanish fleet tried to escape the blockade at Santiago, naval battle ensued, and ended in the complete and total decimation of the Spanish feet.
Foraker Act of 1900
Passed in 1900, ended military rule in Puerto Rico and set up a civil gov. Gave Pres. power to appoint governor & upper house of legislature. locals could only elect lower house members.
Platt Amendment
US insists that Cuba add to its constitution. stated that Cuba couldn’t make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control parts of its territory. The US reserved rights to intervene, couldn’t go into debt if its gov. couldn’t pay, and US could buy or lease land for naval/refueling stations.
Protectorate
A country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power.
Emilio Aguinaldo
Rebel leaders in Philippines. Believed that the US promised independence. Led revolt in Feb of 1899.
Spheres of influence
A region where another country has exclusivity and influence.
John Hay
Issued in 1899 a series of policy statements called Open Door Notes
Open Door Policy
Letters addressed to leaders of nations proposing that they would share trading rights with the US for Chinese trading.
Boxer Rebellion
Secret groups that killed hundreds of foreign devils and vowed to kill all the foreigners.
Anti-Imperialist League
Included prominent people such as Grover Cleveland, Carnegie, Jane Addams, and many others. They had different reasons for opposition, but all agreed that it was wrong for the US to rule other people without consent.
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850
A treaty between US and Britain. Negotiated in response to attempts to build a canal in Nicaragua.
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty of 1901
Renounced the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty and gave the US rights to create a canal in Panama
Hay-Herran Treaty of 1903
Failed treaty between Colombia and the US. If ratified, it would have given the US power to make the Panama Canal.
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903
Same as Hay-Herran Treaty, but negotiated with the independent Panama. Established the Panama Canal Zone.
Leonard Wood
Military governor of Cuba and Governor General of the Philippines Islands.
Dr. Walter Reed
Proved that Yellow Fever was transmitted through mosquitoes instead of direct contact.
Mosquitos
Canal builders were troubled by diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
Isthmus of Panama
An isthmus that connects NA and SA. Contained mountains and swamps with a tropical climate. Has very diverse animal life.
Colombia Control vs. Panamanian independence
Colombia refused negotiations, so US sparked a revolution and negotiated with Panama.
Dr. William C. Gorgas
Well known for controlling the spread of Yellow Fever and Malaria by controlling mosquitoes that transmitted them.
Big Stick Diplomacy
Implied that the US would use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.
Monroe Doctrine
Stated that the continents of America were closed to future colonization by European governments.
Roosevelt Corollary
Warned that disorder in Latin America would force the US to exercise police power
Police Power
Capacity for a country to regulate or enforce order for the general welfare of its inhabitants.
William Howard Taft
Successor of Roosevelt. Exercised police power to loan money to Nicaragua in return for control of national bank and railroad system.
Dollar Diplomacy
Used the US government to guarantee loans made to foreign countries by American business people. Often used to justify keeping European powers out of the Caribbean.
Mexican Revolution
Overthrew military dictator and started long civil war. Revolt led by Madero. Huerta then took over and murdered Madero. Pres. Wilson refused to recognize Huerta and invaded Mexico. Huerta regime collapses and Carranza becomes pres. Wilson formally recognizes the Carranza gov. in 1915.
Francisco Pancho Villa
Rebelled against Carranza. Attacked US citizens after Us recognized Carranza’s gov. Pres. Wilson sends troops to kill him and sparks conflict between US and Mexico. Both sides backed down in the end.
