Chapter 5: The United States And The World Flashcards
What is isolationism?
when countries distance themselves from international affairs and focus on whats going on inside their country
What is annexation?
to attach something to something else
What is continentalism?
the consolidation of the US to occupy the entire North American continent
What were the terms of the Monroe Doctrine?
-United States would not intervene in international affairs
-United States recognised and would not intervene with existing colonies in the Americas
-American continent closed off to further colonisation by European powers
-Any such attempt at colonisation would we regarded as an “unfriendly act” against the United States
When was the Monroe Doctrine published?
1823
Give an example of how the Monroe Doctrine was demonstrated in American foreign policy
American response to the attempt by France and Austria to establish an empire in Mexico
Why did the United States want to distance itself from international affairs?
-Europe seen as old world and US wanted to distance itself from the old ways of empire-building and expansionism
-inward-looking practices good for agriculture and new industry didn’t need imported raw materials as America had plenty
Why did the United States resort to isolationism?
-anti-colonialism
-geographical isolationism
-vision of America as “land of the free”
How did the United States expand over its period of isolationism?
-by 1890 US was one of the worlds leading industrial economies- in a position to become a world power
-expansion of the USA territorial as well as economic
How did the United States expand territorially?
acquisition of Alaska, confirmation of long border with Canada and colonisation and conquest of the American West through a series of treaties and wars with indigenous Americans
How did the idea of Manifest Destiny come into American foreign policy?
-greatly fostered intense American patriotic feelings
-belief in “continentalism” was closely aligned with belief that America would be a future world power
Why was America looking forward in 1865?
-relations with Britain complicated due to tensions over the US-Canada border and interests in Britain having supported the Confederacy in the Civil War
-Spain anxious to protect the remains of its empire against further expansion
-Conservative regimes feared dangerous ideas of American democracy
-Americans hostile to interference in Mexico promoted by Emperor of France
How did William Seward deal with French invasion of Mexico?
opted to rely on diplomatic pressure to avoid open conflict with France over Mexico
How was Maximillian’s empire in Mexico crushed?
-Napoleon III lost interest in Mexico
-Maximilian was an ineffectual ruler who had no popular support
-Mexican nationalists fought a skilful guerilla war and in June 1867 Maximilian was executed
How did the French invasion of Mexico reinforce the American ideals of the Monroe Doctrine
it was easy for Seward to present the outcome as a vindication of the Monroe Doctrine, expulsion of the Europeans from Mexico fitted with the idea of the Monroe Doctrine as defensive and fed expansionist ideas about future American dominance in the Western world
How did Hamilton Fish continue with Seward’s expansionist policy?
-between 1869 and 1873, US tried to establish protectorate over the Dominican Republic
-in 1873, trade treaty established with Hawaii that opened close links and paved way for the eventual annexation of Hawaii in the 1890s
-similar trade treaty with Samoa concluded in 1878
How did territorial consolidation continue after 1865?
vast new territories were incorporated into the US e.g. Alaska, the Great Plains and the Far West
Summarise the events with Alaska
-Russian-American company had become an expensive drain of resources
-Russia feared America might seize territory
-Russia wanted to gain financial reward and improve relations with America rather than losing America for nothing
-Russia ceded Alaska for $7.2 million in 1867
What was the public reaction to the acquisition of Alaska?
-press and politicians denounced the acquisition of Alaska as a stupid and expensive mistake
-Attitudes changed
-strong commercial links established with West ports
-economic potential of Alaska e.g. fish and mining became widely recognised
What was the National Myth?
-settling of the “empty west” was a great leap forward for modernity and progress fulfilling a “civilising mission”
-viewed Indigenous Americans as “noble savages” who were barriers to progress
How were Indigenous Americans viewed at this time?
culturally inferior and a problem for the govt. to deal with
How did the National Myth and public perceptions correspond with reality?
Indigenous Americans compromised numerous nations, each with their own way of life, ancestral land and social and political structures
How was the conquest and colonisation of the West made possible?
wars, treaties and executive decisions of govt. which were enforced by the US army
How many battles and conflicts between US settlers and indigenous Americans occurred in 1871?
101
