foreign policy

Question 1

causes of the 1898 spanish war

Answer 1

-yellow press = an American war ship blew up in Havana Harbour and the yellow press (newspaper) portrayed it as Spain provoking a war, they put lots of pressure on McKinley
- de Lome letter = sent from the Spanish Minister to McKinley but intercepted by the yellow press who published it showing the letter was full of criticism towards McKinley.
- Monroe Doctrine
- economic interests = Cuba had a connection to the US about exporting tobacco and sugar, it would help recover from the 1893 depression.

Question 2

Effects of war

Answer 2

• US army crushed Spain which made the US look strong.
• Treaty of Paris was signed in 1898
• Cuban independence was recognised
• US purchased the Philippines ]for $20 million

Question 3

Why was the US more expansionist between 1890-1914

Answer 3

• Accidental Empire = not intending to take over
• Progressive imperialism = to improve the lives of non-Americans/ export of American values on less well-developed countries
• Need for Markets = motive to recover from the 1893 depression
• end of westward expansion = turn its attention onto foreign adventures
• precluisve imperialism = take countries/colonies to prevent others from doing so

Question 4

Samoa 1872

Answer 4

perclusive imperialism as Germany was interested in trading with Samoa, the US saw this and took over before Germany did.

Question 5

Hawaii 1898

Answer 5

Us annexed Hawaii as it was an important stopping station on the way to Japan and China. it was also important due to the exports of sugar to the US.

Question 6

the Philippines 1898

Answer 6

as apart of the treaty of Paris it was brought by the US for $20 million, the US did this because - wanted to convert them into Christianity and thought they could not rule themselves effectively (progressive imperialism) - fear that Germany, Britain or Japan would take over (perclusive)

Question 7

Latin America

Answer 7

wanted to extend its influence in Latin America in terms of political influence and developing its trade links, they also annexed them as they wanted to improve their standing of living and quality of life

Question 8

Panama Canal

Answer 8

1881, a french company began to build a canal in Panama but had financial difficulties so an American company offered to take over so in 1904 they accept the US’ offer and by 1914 the canal is built so US ships can use the 16 km canal, 1,000 ships use it annually.

Question 9

Nicaragua

Answer 9

economic interests, interests however were threatened by their president who was anti-American and in 1909 he cancelled the US mining privileges, so Taft sent in US troops to persuade the people to vote for a pro-American president. he got voted and the US controlled the Nicaragua banks, being occupied for 10 years.

Question 10

Dominican Republic

Answer 10

1905 the US used its ‘police power’ as the Dominican Republic couldn’t pay back its loans given from the US worth $40 million, so the US invaded and took over customs revenue.

Question 11

China

Answer 11

the US had no intention of expanding territoriality but in 1899 the secretary of state introduced the Open Door policy which asked states/countries to respect others trading rights in China/ everyone to openly trade with China so no one has the upper hand. The US extended the open door policy with a note that the US would protect the lives of US citizens in China.

Question 12

Roosevelt Corollary

Answer 12

the US would intervene as a last resort to ensure that other nations in the western hemisphere fulfilled their obligations to international creditors, violate the US and invite ‘foreign aggression to the detriment of the entire body of the American nations.’

Question 13

Police policy

Answer 13

the US had a duty/role to protect the western hemisphere from other countries

Question 14

Wilson and moral diplomacy

Answer 14

Wilson and Bryan (his secretary of state) believed that the US had a responsibility to improve the lives of foreign people through the US example, that the US was morally superior to other countries. this was also known as WILSONISM

Question 15

Wilson and Idealism

Answer 15

he declared on taking office, that future cooperation would only be possible with a ‘just’ government , this implies tat he would oppose any military dictatorship or revolutionary governments - taking Roosevelt Corollary to the next level. this had successes e.g building Highways, Bridges, telephone lines, hospitals and schools in Latin America.

Question 16

reasons for neutrality

Answer 16

public opinion - the war had nothing to do with them and it would achieve very little, in 1914 1,500 women marched down the streets in NY to protest war
Wilsonism - he sought neutrality as in 1914 he offered to mediate through the Deceleration of Neutrality where he warned the US citizens to not take sides. he was anxious that the US could get sucked in to the conflict.

Question 17

Reasons for joining the war

Answer 17

Unrestricted submarine warfare - 1917 Germany gave 8 hours notice that they intended to sink all ships found in British waters, this included US ships transporting goods to Britain, thus the US had to intervine as Britain was an Allie.
Zimmerman telegraph - a telegram sent by Germany to Mexico saying that if they attack the US then Germany would help them recuse back Texas, this was intercepted by the US. It would break the munroe doctrine so the US would have to intervene.
Deceleration of War - 1917 Wilson asked congress if they could go to war on Germany, then realised they had no choice but to go to war as Germany threatened Allies and provoked the US

Question 18

economy after war

Answer 18

the economy was booming due to the money raised for war, there was a 2nd industrial revolution as job opportunities rose, robber barons dominated and factories were in demand the most due to the machinery and weapons needing to be made.