quiz March 8, 2023 Flashcards
Causes of U.S. Imperialism
- Manifest Destiny encouraged sentiments of expansion. People felt America should expand farther. The U.S. wanted to become a world power like European nations (which meant acquiring overseas colonies)
- American missionaries wanted to spread Christianity to peoples overseas in 3rd world.
- Idea of Social Darwinism: fittest races (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) must rule over weaker races (Blacks, Latinos, Asians) and teach them how to be like them. Influenced Americans desire to civilize world-make it more like America-which was blessed by God
- American industry experienced a huge growth between 1860 and 1900–>wealth and capital increased and people wanted to invest their money in business. Needed natural resources for new industries. Needed new overseas markets for surplus of manufactured goods
- Capt. Alfred Mahan argued in his book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History that the US had to expand its naval power or they’d be unable to compete with other countries. Congress was convinced to spend money on strengthening the Navy. As a Navy needs places to stop + refuel-it became important to acquire land overseas for naval bases.
Social Darwinism and Imperialism
- Idea of Social Darwinism: fittest races (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) must rule over weaker races (Blacks, Latinos, Asians) and teach them how to be like them. Influenced Americans desire to civilize world-make it more like America-which was blessed by God
-imperialism=The Economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker nations.
Alfred Mahan
Capt. Alfred Mahan argued in his book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History that the US had to expand its naval power or they’d be unable to compete with other countries. Congress was convinced to spend money on strengthening the Navy. As a Navy needs places to stop + refuel-it became important to acquire land overseas for naval bases.
Why U.S. annexed Hawaii
A key provisioning spot for American whaling ships, fertile ground for American protestant missionaries, and a new source of sugar cane production, Hawaii’s economy became increasingly integrated with the United States. When Queen Liliuokalani moved to establish a stronger monarchy, Americans under the leadership of Samuel Dole deposed her in 1893. The planters’ belief that a coup and annexation by the United States would remove the threat of a devastating tariff on their sugar also spurred them to action
Causes of Spanish American War
Cuba and Philippines rebelled against Spanish gov’t in 1898. U.S. decided to aid Cubans-citing Monroe Doctrine. Cuba was 90 miles from Florida + U.S. felt it was important it be independent. They also desired Philippines in Pacific-useful as naval bases. An explosion blew it up U.S.S. Maine -killing 250 soldiers. U.S. Newspapers blamed Spanish-though there was little proof they’d attacked it. Jingoism (aggressive nationalism) was strong in U.S. and Pres. McKinley was pressured into asking Congress to declare war on Spain.
Results of Spanish American War for Phillipines
Filipinos fought with U.S. against Spain and assumed after War they’d gain independence but US felt it was too valuable. Filipinos declare war on America. From 1900-1902 U.S. fought war against Filipino guerrillas. Philippines were American colony till 1946. Acquiring Philippines created conflict with Japan-which also desired them. U.S. controlling people who didn’t want to be part of the country troubled many Americans.
Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy was a major statement of United States foreign policy issued in 1899 and 1900 intended to protect the rights of all countries to trade equally with China and confirming multi-national acknowledgment of China’s administrative and territorial sovereignty. Proposed by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay and supported by President William McKinley.
Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904)-said that U.S. would act as an international policeman in Latin America. U.S. sought no territory but would intervene if things got unstable or disorderly
‘Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick’
Teddy Roosevelt followed aggressive foreign policy in Latin America-he used African proverb “Speak softly and carry a big stick” to express ideas. Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904)-said that U.S. would act as an international policeman in Latin America. U.S. sought no territory but would intervene if things got unstable or disorderly
Reason for Panama Canal
American interests made it imperative there be a quicker way to get from Atlantic to Pacific. The narrowest section of Central America was in Panama-controlled by Colombia. U.S. offered Colombia 10 million to build a canal but they refused. Roosevelt then instigated a revolt in Panama + used the Navy to prevent Colombia from putting it down. When Panama became independent, U.S. promised to protect them in exchange for the Canal.
Jane Addams and Settlement Houses
Inspired by Toynbee Hall Addams and her friend, Ellen Gates Starr, opened Hull House in a neighborhood of slums in Chicago in 1889. Many who lived there were immigrants from countries such as Italy, Russia, Poland, Germany, Ireland, and Greece. For these working poor, Hull House provided a day care center for children of working mothers, a community kitchen, visiting nurses, and education. Hull House also became a meeting place for clubs and labor unions. Most of the people who worked with Addams in Hull House were well educated, middle-class women. Hull House gave them an opportunity to use their education and it provided a training ground for careers in social work.
Jacob Riis and How the Other Half Lives
it is an early publication of photojournalism by Jacob Riis, documenting squalid living conditions in New York City slums in the 1880s. The photographs served as a basis for future “muckraking” journalism by exposing the slums to New York City’s upper and middle classes. They inspired many reforms of working-class housing, both immediately after publication as well as making a lasting impact in today’s society.
