Imperialism Flashcards
Frontier thesis
(1893) A thesis written by Frederick Jackson Turner that declared the west fully settled based on the 1890 US Census. It was important because it meant there was no frontier left for the US to expand to
Alfred Thayer Mahan
the influence of sea power upon history (1890): a book written by Alfred Thayer Mayan in 1890 that argued that sea power was the key to military and economic success. Encouragement to acquire ports.
Josiah Strong; Our Country (1885)
A book written to promote missionary work abroad and activity by Protestant Churches, but its message reached a much wider audience than he intended. (duty to convert others, especially countries who were considered less developed than the US) - Ends up creating a foundation via private missionaries for a formal diplomatic relationship
John Fiske
a historian who argued that science and religion were not and never had been in conflict with one another. He was important because he helped to popularize evolutionary theory in the US, much to the chagrin of churches. - believed in cultural superiority
John Burgess
Founder of the Faculty of Political Science, which was important because it was the first major institutionalized program in the United States granting the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (governing philosophy - believed certain systems of government were better than others)
Jurgen Buchenau
Professor/Historian at UNC Charlotte, German-Mexican; important because he is a leading scholar on the Mexican Revolution (complete guess) - theory that social darwinism wasn’t imposed on Latin America; they bought into these perspectives on their own
Jingoism
a foreign policy that promoted an aggressive use of force rather than peaceful relations to promote nationalism
*Importance - this foreign policy caused Americans to believe that it was okay to forcefully take places of land or engage in certain wars because it was perceived as a type of nationalism (in other words, if strength is not shown, then other countries will not accept the US)
Yellow Journalism
journalism exaggerated to the point of sensationalism. It was important because it helped to spur on the Spanish-American War
The Treaty of Paris 1898
A treaty formed between Spain and the US which was important because it marked an end to the Spanish-American War
Provisions:
1. Cuba gains independence from spain
2. US acquired Puerto Rico and Guam
3. Agree that purchase of philippines will be made
The Teller Amendment (1898)
an amendment to the US’s declaration of war on Spain proposed by Senator Henry M Teller in 1898 that proclaimed that the US would not take permanent control of Cuba. It was important because it helped guarantee Cuba’s independence. It highlights an anti-imperialist purpose of going into war.
The Platt Amendment (1901)
A treaty (amendment to Cuban constitution) between the US and Cuba that allowed for the US to get involved in Cuban domestic affairs to enforce Cuban independence. It was important because it gave the US much more power over Cuba by being allowed to place troops in Cuba if there are threats, have a naval base, and have veto power over diplomatic affairs.
The British North American Act (1867)
An act passed in 1867 by British Parliament that granted Canada domestic sovereignty; it was important because it served as Canada’s Constitution and made it all but an independent country
The Open Door Policy
a statement of principles issued by the US Government (John Hay) in 1899 that called for equal privileges for all countries trading with China. It was important because it increased foreign influence and called for a decrease in the “sphere of influence” in China so that all countries can have access to different parts of China. *The country is too big to be managed and industrialized. Other countries take advantage of this by claiming a market place. They do not control this piece of land, but they have power to operate a marketplace there.
The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)
The Boxer Rebellion was a violent anti-imperialist uprising of nationalistic peasants in northern China that aimed to drive away all foreigners, specifically those who are religious (mainly caused by the presence of Chistianity in China). Highlights the tensions created by foreign influence and western imperialism overseas, and blamed the west for the loss of traditional Chinese way of life.
