History Standard 4 Vocabulary (first 40) Flashcards
Imperialism
The expansion of American political, economic, cultural, media, and military influence beyond the boundaries of the United States
Isolationism
National policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries
Seward’s Folly
Refers to Secretary of State William Seward’s purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, because the land was so far north it was considered virtually unusable and uninhabitable
Theodore Roosevelt
The 26th president of the United States who was the main constructor of the Panama Canal
Spanish-American War
1898 conflict between the United States and Spain, ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in the U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America
Teller Amendment
Stated that when the United States rid Cuba of Spanish misrule, Cuba would be granted its freedom
Platt Amendment
Set of conditions under which Cuba was granted independence in 1902, including restrictions on the rights of Cubans and granting to the U.S. the right to intervene to preserve order in Cuba
Open Door Policy
American statement that the government did not want colonies in China, but favored free trade there
Panama Canal
Human-made waterway linking the Atlantic to the Pacific across the Isthmus of Panama
Big Stick Policy
Theodore Roosevelt’s policy of creating and using, when necessary, a strong military to achieve America’s goals
Dollar Diplomacy
President Taft’s policy of expanding American investments abroad
Woodrow Wilson
The 28th president of the United States who led America through World War I
Missionary/Moral Diplomacy
Woodrow Wilson’s statement that the U.S. would not use force to assert influence in the world, but would instead work to promote human rights
World War I
Began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Militarism
Glorification of the military
U-boats
German submarines
Lusitania
British passenger liner sunk by a German U-boat during World War I
Zimmerman Telegram
Telegram written by German Foreign Minister Zimmerman proposing an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States during World War I
Trench Warfare
Warfare in which opposing armed forces attack, counterattack, and defend from relatively permanent systems of trenches dug into the ground
Selective Service Act
Act passed by Congress in 1917 authorizing a draft of men for military service
Armistice
A temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of the warring parties; a truce
Fourteen Points
List of terms for resolving World War I and future wars authorized by American president Woodrow Wilson
League of Nations
World organization established after World War I to promote peaceful cooperation between countries
Treaty of Versailles
Formally ended World War I and established the League of Nations, required that Germany pay financial reparations, disarm, lose territory, and give up all of its overseas colonies
