Unit 4 - USA's Rise to Power Flashcards
When did the USA declare independence from Britain?
1776.
When was the USA recognized as an independent nation?
1783.
Where is America’s ‘frontier’ in the 1800s?
Their western border towards the Pacific ocean.
When does the US Census Bureau declare the frontier ‘closed’?
1890.
What connects the large American land?
Railways.
Why does the USA start to shift away from isolationism?
Rise of jingoism.
National pride and a greater concern for overseas matters.
When is the Columbian Exhibition?
1893.
What happened in 1893?
Economic depression.
Lots of unemployment.
How does the rapid growth of cities in America affect internal development?
Creates slums and unique social problems.
What threatens the USA’s developments externally?
The emergence of Japan and Germany as empires.
Aggressive European imperialism.
Why might the USA pursue an aggressive foreign policy?
To help deal with ‘embarrassing’ things at home.
What is a psychic crisis?
A crisis caused for an individual by
outside events, which he or she is
unable to come to terms with.
What is the USA’s production development by 1890?
Large agricultural production.
Large industrial production.
What are America’s traditional markets?
South America.
Domestic.
Where does America want to open new markets?
China.
Europe.
How does the USA want to safeguard against drastic fluctuations in their markets?
Create more markets for more stability.
When was THE INFLUENCE OF SEA POWER UPON HISTORY published?
1890.
How did THE INFLUENCE OF SEA POWER UPON HISTORY affect the USA’s attitude towards its foreign policy?
Argues that the USA needs a large military navy and merchant navy and to expand its influence.
Between 1898 and 1913, how much does the US Fleet expand?
11-36 ships.
How does the USA’s increase in Naval development affect the country’s development?
Major world trading power.
National wealth doubles between 1900 and 1912.
National investments grow by a lot.
Who colonized Cuba?
Spain.
How long was Cuba a colony of Spain?
Roughly 400 years.
How many times had Cuba already tried to gain its independence from Spain in the 1800s?
Twice.
The 10 Years War: 1868-78
The Little War: 1879-80
When was the Free Trade Treaty between the USA and Cuba?
1890.
What does the USA introduce in 1894 that Cuba is not happy about?
Tariffs on Cuban sugar.
Who is Jose Marti?
Cuban revolutionist who uses the political unrest and dissatisfaction to stir up a revolt against Spain.
What are the two primary reasons the USA intervenes in Cuba?
- The Yellow Press
- Shift in US policy to be more assertive and far-reaching
What other factors affect the USA’s intervention in Cuba?
- The USS Maine explosion.
- Trade.
- US owned mines, estates, ranches threatened.
- US elites.
What is President McKinley’s goal for the USA’s intervention in Cuba?
To install a Cuban government that would be favorable to the US. ‘neutral intervention’.
What is the Teller Amendment?
Prohibits the USA from annexing Cuba.
What happens in the US intervention in Cuba?
Cuba is conquered in 4 months and the USA destroys the Spanish empire.
When does Spain ask for peace terms?
August 1898.
What territory does the USA gain from Spain after defeating them in Cuba?
- The Philippines
- Puerto Rico
- Hawaii
- Guam
- Cuba
What happens to the Philippines under US control?
They initially hope for independence, but lose a guerilla war against the US who controls them.
How does Roosevelt use Big Stick Diplomacy in Colombia and Panama?
Asks Panama to build a canal.
When they say no, he assists Panamanian rebels with military aid.
What nations begin to function as colonies under the USA’s dollar diplomacy strategy?
- Honduras
- Dominican Republic
- Nicaragua
What is Liberia?
A country in Africa originally founded as an independent state for formerly enslaved people.
How does the USA interact with Liberia?
They loan them money.
And send warships.
And military officers to train their army.
How does the USA’s annexation of the Philippines impact their power?
They become more powerful in East Asia and are able to use their naval influence to negotiate the Treaty of Portsmouth between Japan and Russia.
Why does the USA want to negotiate the Treaty of Portsmouth?
To prevent both Japan and Russia from becoming too powerful and making sure that Japan cannot threaten their position in Hawaii and the Philippines.
How does President Theodore Roosevelt involve himself in European affairs?
Negotiates in favor of France at the Algeciras conference even though Kaiser Wilhelm called the conference.
What platform did President Woodrow Wilson campaign on?
Anti-imperialism.
How does Woodrow Wilson impact world affairs?
Sends troops to the Caribbean.
Sends troops to Mexico during civil war.
Joins the war in 1917 even after trying very hard not to.
What is America’s initial attitude towards WW1?
Mixed.
Some people (Wilson and elites) favor the allies.
Lots of German-Americans.
Lots of Jews who are anti-Russia.
How are the allies and the USA linked?
Economically, Britain is buying supplies from the USA and also taking out lots of loans from the USA.
Why does the USA need the allies to win?
So they can pay back all of their loans.
What is unrestricted submarine warfare?
Sinking of all merchant ships (Allied or neutral) carrying goods to or from Allied states.
How does Germany use unrestricted submarine warfare in WW1?
Sinks all ships coming to Britain including supply ships but also many passenger ships such as the Lusitania.
What was the Lusitania disaster?
British cruise liner sunk May 7, 1915. 128 Americans onboard.
How does Germany respond to the Lusitania sinking?
Claims it was carrying munitions.
Agrees to stop unrestricted submarine warfare because they do not want the USA to get involved.
Why does German unrestricted submarine warfare resume?
German High Command wants it. (not the Kaiser).
They need to get Britain out of the war.
What was the Zimmerman telegram?
A telegram sent from Germany to Mexico, encouraging Mexico to invade the USA and distract them with the promise that Germany will help Mexico keep any territory they gain.
Who intercepts the Zimmerman telegram?
Britain.
When does Wilson declare war on the Central Powers?
April 6, 1917.
Is the USA an Allied power or Associated power?
Associated power.
What are the strengths of the USA going into WW1
Lots of men.
Strong economy.
Not really harmed by the war up to this point.
What are the weaknesses of the USA going into WW1?
Would take almost 1 year to train a force to fight in Europe.
When does Russia leave WW1?
1917
Why does Russia leave WW1?
Bolshevik Revolution.
How many American troops are in France by Sep. 1918?
1 million +
Who does the USA support in Russia?
The White Russians.
What happened to Russia’s government in 1917?
February revolution destroys Tsarist regimen.
Provisional government put in place that promises to fight a ‘people’s war’.
Bolsheviks seize power in Oct. 1917 under Lenin.
What Treaty does Lenin sign with Germany?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
What does Wilson want to use his powerful position in WW1 for?
Peace. Not revenge.
What does Wilson propose as part of the after-war reparations?
His 14 points.
What does Wilson actually do when the treaties are being drawn up?
Steps back and lets France and Britain dictate much of the treaties so they come out harsher than Wilson would have liked.
What are some of the key features of Wilson’s 14 points?
Self-determination.
Don’t make Germany so angry that they start another war.
