Unit 5

Question 1

Berlin Conference

Answer 1

A meeting held by the most powerful nations in Europe in 1884 to decide how to divide up Africa.

Question 2

Diaspora

Answer 2

When a group of people either willingly or unwillingly moves, migrates, or is scattered away from their ancestral homeland. A diaspora is also the worldwide community of people resulting from relocating to new countries.

Question 3

Globalization

Answer 3

A term that describes the increasing interdependence the nations of the world have on one another. The word is used to discuss economic interdependence, but it also refers to political, cultural, and technical interdependence.

Question 4

Imperialism

Answer 4

The policy by which a nation increases its power by taking over land in another part of the world or by taking over other countries.

Question 5

Missionaries

Answer 5

Missionaries attempt to spread their religious beliefs to others, often by establishing schools, working with the poor, and other acts of charity.

Question 6

Nationalism

Answer 6

The belief that a nation is defined by a shared language, culture, or set of beliefs. It also involves a pride in one’s country.

Question 7

Pan-African Congresses

Answer 7

A series of meetings of important Pan-Africanists that were intended to address the problems in Africa caused by the European process of establishing colonies.

Question 8

Pan-Africanism

Answer 8

A movement to unite native Africans and others of African background into a total African community. It recognizes the shared struggles against slavery, racism, and the colonial attitudes of the past.

Question 9

“Scramble for Africa”

Answer 9

The taking of African territory by European nations in the late 1800s and early 1900s. By agreeing to divide the continent among them, European countries hoped to avoid war with one another.

Question 10

“White Man’s Burden”

Answer 10

The idea that white people had a responsibility to rule over nonwhites and teach them white culture. This would supposedly be for the good of the nonwhite populations. This idea came from the belief that nonwhites were inferior.

Question 11

Bayonet Constitution

Answer 11

The 1887 constitution of Hawaii. It is known as the Bayonet Constitution because the king was forced to accept it. The constitution took much of the power away from the king and the native Hawaiians and gave it to the United States.

Question 12

Boxer Rebellion

Answer 12

An often violent movement in China between 1898 and 1901 against Christians and foreigners. It was supported by the Chinese empress dowager and ended when foreign troops came into China to put down the rebellion.

Question 13

Chinese Exclusion Act

Answer 13

A law passed by Congress in 1882 which stopped Chinese immigration to the United States for 10 years.

Question 14

Commodore Matthew Perry

Answer 14

(1794 – 1858) An American naval officer who took several ships to Japan in 1853. This visit opened trade relations with Japan.

Question 15

Dollar Diplomacy

Answer 15

The American policy of influencing other countries through economic means.

Question 16

Free Trade

Answer 16

A system of buying and selling between countries that is carried out with no government involvement.

Question 17

Great White Fleet

Answer 17

The name given to a group of American naval ships that circled the globe between 1907 and 1909. The ships were painted white. The purpose of the trip was to demonstrate the United States’ military power to the world.

Question 18

John Hay

Answer 18

(1838 – 1905) An American statesman and politician. He was President Lincoln’s private secretary. He served as the secretary of state for President McKinley and helped end the Spanish-American War. He was involved with the Open Door policy with China and the plans to build the Panama Canal.

Question 19

Open Door Notes

Answer 19

Notes written by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899 and 1900 to gain support from other countries for a policy of equal opportunity for trade with China.

Question 20

Open Door Policy

Answer 20

A U.S. foreign policy for China developed in 1899. Its purpose was to allow all nations to have equal trade rights with China. This policy could also apply to other countries.

Question 21

Panama Canal

Answer 21

A 50-mile waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the narrow part of Panama. It was built by the United States and opened to ships in 1914, saving them an 8,000-mile journey around South America. It was returned to the control of Panama on December 31, 1999.

Question 22

Qing Dynasty

Answer 22

The last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912.

Question 23

Sanford Dole

Answer 23

(1844 – 1926) One of the instigators of the Bayonet Constitution. He helped to illegally overthrow the Hawaiian monarcy and was made president of the Republic of Hawaii from 1894 to 1900. In 1993, President Clinton signed the Apology Resolution apologizing for the U.S. role in the unlawful action.

Question 24

Spheres of Influence

Answer 24

An area in which a powerful country has great economic, political, and cultural influence over another country or countries.

Question 25

Theodore Roosevelt

Answer 25

(1858 – 1919) The 26th president of the United States, from 1901 to 1909. He is best known for leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War and for his support of Progressive policies.

Question 26

William H. Seward

Answer 26

(1801 – 1872) An American politician. He served as the governor of New York, as a U.S. senator, and as secretary of state under presidents Lincoln and Johnson. He is best known for buying Alaska from Russia in 1867

Question 27

William Howard Taft

Answer 27

(1857 – 1930) The 27th president of the United States. He later served as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. During his presidency, he worked on breaking up trusts and improving the civil service.

Question 28

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Answer 28

U.S. Navy officer who developed the theory of sea power, or the concept that nations with the greatest naval power have the greatest influence on the world.

Question 29

Battle of San Juan Hill

Answer 29

A battle fought in Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Supported by African American soldiers, Theodore Roosevelt and his troops, called the Rough Riders, won the battle.

Question 30

Big Stick Diplomacy

Answer 30

A government policy adopted by President Theodore Roosevelt. He wanted to increase U.S. involvement in Latin America and intended to protect U.S. interests by keeping European countries out.

Question 31

General John Pershing

Answer 31

(1860 – 1948) One of America’s most important army officers. He served in the U.S. Army through many military operations, including the Indian wars; the Spanish-American War; and World War I, in which he commanded the American forces in Europe.

Question 32

Guantanamo Bay

Answer 32

A U.S. naval base in Cuba that was established after the Spanish-American War. At the present time, it is used to hold prisoners from America’s war on terror.

Question 33

Mexican Revolution

Answer 33

Armed conflict in Mexico lasting from 1910 to 1920 between several different groups. Although it started out as a revolution against the government, it turned into a civil war.

Question 34

Monroe Doctrine

Answer 34

A policy introduced by President James Monroe in 1823. It warned European countries to stay out of affairs in the Americas. In return, it promised that the United States would stay out of affairs in Europe or European colonies.

Question 35

Pancho Villa

Answer 35

(1878 – 1923) The name given to José Doroteo Arango Arambula, a leader in the Mexican Revolution. He became a folk, or cultural, hero to the poor people of Mexico.

Question 36

Platt Amendment

Answer 36

An 1899 amendment attached to a law that paid for the military. It described the conditions for bringing American soldiers out of Cuba following the Spanish-American War. It said that the United States would remain involved in the affairs of Cuba and gave the United States certain rights in Cuba, including the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.

Question 37

Roosevelt Corollary

Answer 37

An addition to the Monroe Doctrine made by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. It declared that the United States had the right to get involved in affairs in unstable Latin American countries. Its purpose was to discourage European powers from intervening in Latin America.

Question 38

Rough Riders

Answer 38

The name given to the cavalry unit commanded by Theodore Roosevelt in the Spanish-American War. Cavalry are soldiers on horseback. They were involved in the famous battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba in 1898.

Question 39

Spanish American War

Answer 39

A conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States. It started out in Cuba with the United States supporting Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain. The U.S. Navy fought in other Spanish territories, gaining Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands for the United States.

Question 40

USS Maine

Answer 40

A U.S. Navy ship that exploded, or blew up, and sank in the harbor at Havana, Cuba, in 1898. Although it is still unknown what caused the explosion, this event was part of the reason for the Spanish-American War.

Question 41

Yellow Journalists

Answer 41

Reporters who publish stories without researching or checking the facts, usually to sway public opinion.

Question 42

Schenck vs. United States

Answer 42

A U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1919 that said the Espionage Act was constitutional. Charles Schenck had written things very critical of the government. For instance, he said the draft, a law requiring young men to sign up for military service, was not legal. Schenck said he had the right to say that because of freedom of speech. The Supreme Court said that those protections do not apply in times of danger for the country.

Question 43

Allied Powers

Answer 43

The countries at war with the Central powers during World War I. This alliance included the Triple Entente (France, the United Kingdom, and Russia) as well as secondary members Japan, Belgium, Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and the Czechoslovak legions. Also known as the Entente powers.

Question 44

Battle of Argonne Forest

Answer 44

A World War I battle in 1918, often called “America’s Deadliest Battle” because of the high number of American deaths.

Question 45

Battle of the Marne

Answer 45

One of two World War I battles of that name. In 1914, Germany was defeated by the Allies as German armies approached Paris. Germany’s loss in this battle kept the country from a quick victory in the war. In 1918, Germany was defeated again in the same area. The war ended soon after.

Question 46

Battle of the Somme

Answer 46

A World War I battle that lasted for five months in 1916 along the Somme River in France. It resulted in more than a million casualties, but the British and French were still unable to push the German army out of the area. This battle was the largest on the Western Front.

Question 47

Battle of Verdun

Answer 47

An important World War I battle fought in 1916 between French and German forces in northeastern France. The battle lasted nearly 10 months, ending with a French victory. It is remembered for the huge numbers of battlefield deaths, making it one of the worst battles in human history.

Question 48

Central Powers

Answer 48

One of the two sides that took part in World War I. The Central powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (now known as Turkey), and Bulgaria. They fought against, and lost to, the Allied powers, or Allies, which included Great Britain, Russia, France, and the United States.

Question 49

Espionage Act

Answer 49

A federal law passed in 1917 after the United States entered World War I. The law was to stop people from giving information to America’s enemies. It also made it against the law to interfere with, or get in the way of, military activities.

Question 50

Fourteen Points

Answer 50

A speech given by President Woodrow Wilson in January 1918 that stated the reasons for fighting World War I and explained what the Allies hoped to gain in the peace with the Central Powers.

Question 51

League of Nations

Answer 51

An international organization formed after World War I. Its purpose was to prevent future wars between countries. Although it was the idea of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, the Senate did not allow America to join.

Question 52

Liberty Bonds

Answer 52

A way that the government borrowed money to pay for the military costs of World War I. People bought a liberty bond, a paper describing a certain kind of loan. The government used the money to pay for the war, and years later, a person could return the bonds to the government and get their money back with interest.

Question 53

Propaganda

Answer 53

Communication for the purpose of influencing attitudes and opinions in a community.

Question 54

Return to Normalcy

Answer 54

A phrase used by Warren Harding in his presidential campaign of 1920. He meant that he wanted the society and politics of the country to become calm and normal. It was a reaction to conditions following World War I.

Question 55

Russian Revolution

Answer 55

Russia saw two revolutions in 1917. The first was the February Revolution which forced the tsar, or emperor, to abdicate his throne. Several factions struggled for power over the ensuing months leading to the October Revolution, after which Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks formed a government.

Question 56

Sedition Act

Answer 56

A law passed in 1918 that made it illegal to speak or write against the government, flag, or armed forces of the United States. It was to be in effect only in times of war and was repealed, or stopped, in 1920 because World War I had ended.

Question 57

Selective Service Act of 1917

Answer 57

An act passed by Congress that allowed the U.S. Army to draft troops to fight in Europe in World War I. All men between 21 and 30 were required to register for military service.

Question 58

Socialist Party of America

Answer 58

A political party that was active from 1901 to 1973. It was supported by labor unions, farmers, immigrants, and people who wanted public ownership of resources and means of production.

Question 59

Treaty of Versailles

Answer 59

One of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It was signed in June of 1919 and ended the war between Germany and the Allied powers. The terms of the treaty made Germany accept responsibility for starting the war, required Germany to pay the costs of the war, and did not allow Germany to build up its military forces.

Question 60

Trench Warfare

Answer 60

A way of fighting a war in which the soldiers on both sides spend most of the time in deep ditches, known as trenches, that have been dug for protection from enemy guns.

Question 61

Triple Alliance

Answer 61

An agreement between Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary that lasted from 1882 until the beginning of World War I. These countries agreed to help each other should they be attacked by other countries considered to be great powers.

Question 62

Triple Entente

Answer 62

A 1907 treaty between Great Britain, France, and Russia in which these countries agreed to support each other against the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Question 63

U-Boats

Answer 63

German boats that operated underwater (also known as submarines). Germany used U-boats during World War I and World War II.

Question 64

Western Front

Answer 64

The area in Western Europe where the armies of France, Great Britain, Belgium, and after 1917, the United States fought German forces during World War I. For most of the war, the Western Front was locked in a stalemate as troops dug into defensive trenches.

Question 65

Zimmerman Telegram

Answer 65

A secret telegram sent from a high German official to the German ambassador in Mexico in 1917. It expressed the hope America would stay out of the war in Europe. If the United States entered the war, Germany wanted Mexico to enter the war on its side. In return, Germany promised Mexico support to get back some of its former territory in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.