Unit 7 Flashcards
What is imperialism?
The expansion of one country’s political, economic, and military influence over another country
What began America’s growth as an empire?
The purchase of Alaska in 1867;
It had no connection to the main United States and it has a loads of gold buried in it
Why was the purchase of Alaska called Seward’s Folly?
Because it appeared as though Alaska had no value
Why did imperialists support imperialism?
-Desire for expanded access to raw materials
-Secure new markets for American made goods
-Social Darwainism
-Didn’t want America to be seen as a second-class nation
How was imperialism related to religion?
Josiah Strong argued that it was the Christian duty of the white race to expand itself abroad
How did Mahan influence Congress?
Prompted the construction of a massive new steel fleet
Why did anti-imperialists dislike imperialism?
-The principle of self determination (a nation had the right to decide who ruled it and what laws were passed)
-Washington’s Farewell Address (warned against foreign entanglement)
What argument did anti-imperalists use in their campaign against imperialism?
They believed that the Constitution should follow the flag, that other nations should be granted rights ensured by the Constitution;
Would America wabt this?
What was yellow journalism?
Journalism that relied more on sensation than fact and evidence
How did yellow journalism prompt the Spanish-American War?
Yellow journalists published articles that exaggerated the atrocities committed by the Spanish against the Cubans
What happened to the USS Maine?
It exploded in the Havana Harbor;
Yellow journalists claimed that this was done by the Spanish even though the explosion was found to be accidental
What effects did the Spanish-American War have?
-Cuba gained independence but the Platt Amendment stated that the US could intervene in Cuba
-Annexation of the Philippines and Guam
What was the significance of Emilio Aguinaldo?
He led FIlipinos to throw off US rule;
But the US held onto the Philippines until after WWII
Why did the US annex Hawaii in 1898?
Because they needed a land between them and the Philippines
What was the Open Door Policy in China?
In which Hays proposed that European powers in China should observe an open door of trading privileges in China
Why was the Spanish-American War?
It brought America to the world stage as an imperialistic power
What were the general Progressive causes?
-Growing power of big business
-Uncertainties in the economy
-Conflicts between labor groups and their employers
-Political machine power
-Racism, misogyny, etc.
What did the Progressives agree on?
That the government must get involved for any meaningful change to occur
What did muckrackers do?
They exposed the public to political and business corruption
What was Sinclair’s “The Jungle”?
Exposed the unsanitary conditions of the meat packing industry
How did democracy expand during the Progressive era?
-The secret ballot
-Direct election of senators (17th Amendment)
-Initiative, referendum, and recall
What was the 18th Amendment?
Established Prohibition
When was Plessy v. Ferguson ruled?
1896
What was the Niagra Movement?
-Organized by W.E.B. Debois
-Planned protests and acts to secure rights for the black population
