FP (1865-1890) Flashcards
1
Q
When did the frontier close?
A
1890
2
Q
3
Outline the Turner Thesis
A
- 1893
- Frederick Turner
- Presented a conference paper called the ‘The Significance of the Frontier in American History’
3
Q
5
Describe the Turner Thesis
A
- Frontier distinguished US from European nations
- Existence of free land inherent to American values
- unsettled land provided safety valve against social discord
- frontier people were self reliant and epitomised American ideals
- closure of frontier in 1890 and essay would precipitate imperialism
4
Q
5
List reasons for early isolationism
A
- Moral superiority - Monroe Doctrine
- US was nation of immigrants and international intervention would have divided the population
- When industrialisation began, USA could rely on sufficient raw materials rather than imports
- US protected by Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
- No country on land border considered major threat
5
Q
5
List FP developments during Rc
A
- Mexico
- Far East
- DR
- Alaska
- Britain/Canada
6
Q
3
List FP developments during GA
A
- US Navy
- Hawaii
- Latin America
7
Q
5
Describe intervention in Mexico
A
- France capitalised on USA pre-occupation with CW
- Installed puppet emperor, Maximillian, in 1864
- 1867, Seward (Sec of State) demanded French withdraw
- USA moved 50k troops to borders
- French backed down and abandoned Maximillian
8
Q
2
Describe expansion in the Far East 1865-77
A
- 1867, acquired uninhabited Midway Island in West Pacific to obtain guano for fertilser and gunpowder
- Burlingame Treaty 1868 endorsed free movement and trade with China (stimulated Chinese imm for railroads building)
9
Q
5
Describe expansion in the Dominican Republic 1865-77
A
- 1868, DR offered itself for colonisation but Congress refused
- 1870, federal attempt to annex DR stimulated debate on imperial expansion in senate
- Proponents argued USA would be able to exploit the goods of DR and sell it to the existing market there
- Opposers feared non-white ‘savages’ would one day be admitted to union
- Senate rejected annexation
10
Q
2
Describe expansion in Alaska 1865-77
A
- 1867, purchased from Russia for $7.2m
- Known as ‘Sewards’s icebox’ or ‘Seward’s folly’ - struggle to understand motives
11
Q
3
Describe reasons for the expansion in Alaska 1865-77
A
- Alaskan harbour developments would provide gateway to Northern Asia for US merchant ships
- Expand US coastline and keep British out
- Maintained good relations with Russia
12
Q
2
Describe reasons for demands for British compensation after the CW
A
- Objected to building of Confederate ships in British dockyards, which spiked US merchant ships’ insurance
- e.g. The Alabama (Liverpool, 1862)
13
Q
4
Describe relations with Britain/Canada 1865-77
A
- Sen Charles Sumner Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, initially wanted to ask for $2bn from Britain or alternatively ceding of Canada to USA
- Canada became self-governing dominion in 1867 (Britain continued to control its foreign and defence policies)
- USA retaliated by permitting Fenian raids by Irish-Amercan CW veterans across canadian border from 1866-71
- 1872, dipsute ended when Britain agreed to pay $15.5m for damage to US merchant fleet during CW
14
Q
7
Describe the US Navy 1877-90
A
- Described as ‘alphabet of floating tubs’
- Self-commsioned review found:
- 42/140 ships were operational
- 14/17 steamships dated back to CW period
- 1882, Sec of Navy (Hunt) advocated for naval expansion
- Sea power necessary for global influence
- Captain Thayer in The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1890 argued for overseas bases and modern fleet
15
Q
5
Describe expansion in Hawaii 1877-90
A
- Since 1875, USA had imported Hawaiian sugar duty free
- In return, Hawaiian govt refused concessions, such as the importation of manufactured goods, from other countries
- Hawaii economically dependent on USA
- 1887, Senate agrees to Bayard’s (Sec of State) expanded form of 1875 treaty with Hawaii
- US granted permission to establish naval base at Pearl Harbour (island of Oahu)
