US Diplomatic History Final Flashcards
USS Maine
266 Americans were killed in an explosion that most assume ocurred because of the Spaniards. Happened in 1898, gave McKinley support needed to go to war even though it was never proven to be sunk by Spain. Yellow journalism and jingoism contributed to this and it was a fact that led the US to war.
Teller Amendment
Amendment to Congressional resolution that said US could not annex Cuba, but could only “leave the control of the island to its own people”. Basically said US would respect Cuban independence. Was done by Senator Teller in 1898 in response to McKinley’s Wr message to Congress.
Venezuela Crisis 1895
Began w Secretary of State Olney’s 20-inch gun comment, which was his address on the Venezuela boundary dispute. Called the Monroe Doctrine into play and demanded UK leave. British were messing with Venezuela boundary since 1840 and stakes were upped in 1880 because of gold. Called US power into question and showed how imperialism was becoming big. Was settled without regard for Venezuela
Imperialism
Era of imperial competition began because of Venezuela and war with Spain. Happened under Cleveland and McKinley. Led US to world power status, ignored rights of smaller nations, more certain about foreign policy, and more willing to confront rivals. US intervened in Latin America and carribbean whenever it saw the chance for economic benefits. US had huge navy and became first imperial power in 1898
Cuba Libre
Cuba rebels reopened drive for independence that had a chance to be equally as important as Venezuelan crisis to US foreign policy. When they began to lose, Spain started creating death camps and kicking some ass. US saw this as bad for economy (lack in sugar production) but would not give Cuba independence. McKinley left to deal with uprising because Cleveland ignored it.
Benevolent Assimilation
McKinley did not consider the Filipinos ready for self-government and war broke out in response. He released this proclamation in 1898 to say that we would rule and let them assimilate because they were not ready yet. After the defeat of Spain. US killed thousands of innocent people in a devastating war and water boarding and torture became common.
Peace Commission
Led by Secretary of State William Day for the US who successfully negotiated that the US would get Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico from Spain. Anti-imperialists were outraged by this. US did not negotiate for Cuba. This agreement led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris ending the war.
“Unmanly Aunties”
Imperialists called the anti-imperialists this after the US took the colonies from the Spanish. Laughed at them because they did not want to use war as a way to get colonies. Most democrats were anti-imperialist
Open Door Note 1899
Started by Secretary of State John Hay with the Open Door Note that stated that any Imperial country could go into China for access but none of them could control it. Created “spheres of influence.” Gave everyone the same economic opportunities here.
Russia was criticized after the Boxer Rebellion for taking control of a Chinese area in Manchuria. Hay tried to keep American-Chinese trade policies by keeping China intact from the Boxers (rebels).
Boxer Rebellion
1898-1901.
Secret Chinese society that sought to throw out imperialist aggressors such as the US. Opposed foreign imperialism and Christianity. Hay tried to protect China (and US Interests) through the Open Door policy
Dollar Diplomacy
1909-1913. Term used to describe the effort of the US to further its aims in Latin America and East Asia through the use of its economic power by guaranteeing loans made to foreign countries. Began w Roosevelt Corollary and end ended with Wilson in 1913. Taft used this most effectively and realized that helping countries grow economically was the best way to keep them as friends. Did this successfully with China. Also fostered Cuban politics and security for investments and commerce (with sugar). Used private financiers and business leaders to promote foreign policy and use diplomacy to promote US commerce and investment abroad.
Platt Amendment
By Senator Platt 1901. Said that Cuba could not make any treaty with a nation that may impair its independence, should Cuban independence ever be threatened, US has right to intervene. Ensured the US would have a place in Cuban foreign and diplomatic affairs for economic and military reasons. Went against the Teller Amendment from before.
The Roosevelt Corollary
1904: an extension of the Monroe Doctrine by Teddy Roosevelt. Asserted that the US could intervene in the affairs of Central or Latin America and the Caribbean to stabilize their economies if they were unable to pay off international debts. This could make them vulnerable to European control making it a US obligation to intervene (gave US more imperial power and was used in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti)
Francisco Pancho Villa
A revolutionary Mexican war general who went into New Mexico and attacked to outrage President Wilson in 1916. He did so successfully and Wilson sent General Pershing and 10,000 troops to catch him, which they never did. Was egged on by German agents who believed a Mexican-American war would tie the US to North America and keep them out of WWI
Zimmermann Telegram
Proposed an anti-American alliance between Germany and Mexico in 1917. Alliance said that Mexico could get territory lost to US back if they invaded and helped Germany. Was intercepted and sent to State Department by British intelligence. Led to public outrage and eventually US entry into war
Treaty of Portsmouth
Formally ended the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. Negotiations took place in NH and were brokered by President Teddy Roosevelt. Was the first example of multi-track diplomacy. Affirmed Japanese presence in South Manchuria and Korea, Led to Japanese becoming world power and and ended expansionist policies by Russia
Multi-track Diplomacy
Employed by the people of Portsmouth and the state of NH during the 30 day negotiations at the Treaty of Portsmouth. In between formal, direct negotiations, the people of Portsmouth hosted informal meetings, recreational social events, and other events to foster interpersonal relations between Russian and Japanese delegations. This form of peace negotiations is now a broader approach to resolving conflicts especially when formal government intermediareis aren’t wanted
The Foraker Act (Organic Act of 1900)
- Established civilian (limited popular) government in Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American war ended. Signed by McKinley and sponsored by Senator Foraker. Basically created the Puerto Rican government and gave people there Puerto Rican citizenship.
Migratory Bird Treaty
- Conservationism treaty between US and Great Britain acting on the part of Canada. Protected birds along the border, sparked alliance between US and Canada
Lusitainia
1915: German U-boat sunk the Lusitania, a British steamer carrying people from NY to Ireland, killing 128 Americans. Ship was carrying contraband (ammunition and weapons) to help aid the allies in Europe so Germany claimed they had a right to bomb it. Wilson sent a note to Berlin saying Americans had a right to the high seas and and demanded an apology. Hardened US opinion of Germany, deepened complexity of neutrality, and led to a discussion of the position of neutrals in War. Eventually used as a justification of rUS entry into WWI
The Fourteen Points
Wilson’s plan for a post-war wold that he presented to congress in 1918. First 5 points promised “open world” after the war with freedom of trade, freedom of navigation of the seas, reduction of arms, and an end to colonialism, equal trade opportunity. Points 6-13 called for self determination for national minorities in Europe. Point 14 called for the League of Nations
The Big Four
The major players in the Versailles Conference in which 32 nations sent delegates. Germany and Bolshevik Russia were EXCLUDED. Included President Wilson, Prime Minister David Lloyd George (Britain), Premier Georges Clemenceau (France), Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando (Italy). Met in 1919 to discuss an end to the war and mainly the punishment for Germany.
League of Nations
Drafted largely by Wilson with the idea of collective security after WWI. US never joined even though Wilson wanted, body was ineffective. 1919 and got Wilson Nobel Peace Prize
Brest-Litovsk Treaty
Signed by Germany and the radical Bolsheviks in Russia in 1918. Russia gave away Finland and Ukraine, giving Germany a huge amount of profitable land (agriculture) and people. Seemed like a stab in the back to the allies because it was a decisive victory for Berlin. Once the war ended the treaty became obsolete and ended Russian involvement in WWI
Independent internationalism
US foreign policy between WWI and WWIII that said we would be active on an international scale (not isolationists) but independent in direction. Wanted to isolate the country from war, scale down foreign military interventions, and to preserve the freedom to make independent decisions in international affairs
Americanization
Form of soft culture that was spreading through much of the world during the 1920s and 1930s. Material culture that was spreading included household appliances, foods, sports, language, music, and film. Hollywood movies had a large impact on the rest of the world–spread American slang, values, and culture. John Rockefeller helped this along with the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
Started in 1913 continued Americanization through philanthropic programs in preventative medicine and public health. Battled yellow fever in Latin America and supported colleges to train doctors in Lebanon and China. Philosophy that adoption of culture, economic expansion, and social and political stability went hand in hand.
Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
Signed by FDR in 1932. Empowered the president to reduce tariffs by as much as 50% after negotiating agreements with other nations under the doctrine of the most-favored nation. Slowed down the deterioration of world trade. Signed by FDR in 1932. Helped world trade to increase because the US markets became more liberal and duties dropped, leading other countries to follow suit. Was in response to US Congress increasing tariffs to combat the Great Depression, something that has a negative effect.
National Council for the Prevention of War
Founded in 1921 and acted as an umbrella to peace organizations. Part of a period in which people were tired of war and wanted a strong and permanent peace. Started by Congregational Minister Frederick Libby and was a part of the Washington Naval Conference, became a lobby for peace organizations in DC
Kellogg-Briand Pact
- A pact that outlawed war and was signed by many nations of the world. Initiated by the US and France. Later used as the legal basis for the prosecution of the axis powers after WWII. Named after Secretary of State Kellogg. Was not very effective because it was simply a promise and theory, but it held educational value.
Washington Naval Conference
Held by President Harding and run by Secretary of State Charles Evan Hughes in 1922. First international disarmament conference in history and attended by many nations. Resulted in Washington Naval Treaty that declared that countries would disarm their navies to protect peace. Many say it led to the Japanese having the ability to rise up. Started independent internationalism after UK, US, and Japan all built up arms post-WWI and this stopped that
Washington Naval Treaty
Consists of five power treaty (ten year moratorium on creation of ships and air craft carriers), four power treaty (abolished the Anglo-Japanese alliance so they could respect each other), and nine power treaty (reaffirmed Open Door policy and gave Japan superiority in Asia). Overall they gave Japan superiority in Asia and no one could fight it. Led to Japan rising because others disarmed
Nazi-Soviet Pact (Molotov-Ribbentrop Nonaggression Pact)
Pact between Germany and USSR in 1939 was a nonaggression agreement in which they promised to stay neutral in the evnet of an attack by others on either one of them. It remained in effect until 1941 when Germany invaded USSR, was the final straw for US-soviet relations after increased disgust with Stalin.
Maginot Line
Completed in 1939. French border defenses where they created concrete walls, tanks, firearms, and other defenses along Germany and Italy to protect them after the outbreak of war. Named after the French Minister of War Andre Maginot. Was seen as a brilliant move but the Germans knew about the line and found a way around it to invade France.
Munich Conference
1938, Chamberlain (Britain) gives Hitler everything he asks for in exchange for “peace in our time”. Lesson from this to America is that appeasement of aggressors always fails. Throughout 1939 Hitler invaded a bunch of people and everyone was complacent. British/French appeasement and US isolationism to blame.
Nye Commission
Senate commission headed by Senator Nye from 1934-1936 to investigate in bank and munitions lobby conspired to send US to WWI. Helped make the case for neutrality to the American public, led to Neutrality acts being passed
Neutrality Acts
Started in 1935 with arms embargo on belligerent nations with no discretion between aggressor and victim. In 1936 it banned loans to belligerent nations and belligerents were forced to carry American exports on their own ships (cash and carry). In 1937 it forbade American travel on belligerent vessels. Midwest progressives pushed the Acts through because FDR needed their support to keep the New Deal going. Addressed neutrality failure of Wilson administration
The Manchurian Crisis
Happened in 1931. Japanese officers used Mukden Incident to seize Manchuria from China because it had many natural resources and was a good strategic location to USSR. Invasion violated Open Door policy but countries did not want to wage war against Japan. Led to the Stimson Doctrine
Stimson Doctrine
Issued in 1932. Stated the US would not recognize any arrangements in China that might impair American treaty rights, the Open Door policy, or subvert the Kellogg-Briand Pact. Led to Japan resigning from the League of Nations (was against their expansion) and the Stimson-Hoover response showed the world that the US wanted legal, orderly processes in achieving peace, economic openness, and political stability achieved through non-military means. Was done by Secretary of State Henry Stimson. Also called the non-recognition doctrine.
Three-All Campaign
Japanese campaign into China in 1938 that wanted to “Kill all, Burn all, Loot all.” Happened right after the China incident in 1937 where troops clashed and Japan took Shanghai and the Rape of Nanking. US were reluctant to intervene because of isolationist position and instead Sec. of State Hull put a “moral embargo” on the sale of aircrafts to Japan.
Good Neighbor Policy
Started by FDR in 1933. US would continue hegemony over the hemisphere but would not intervene in the affairs of Latin America. This would lead to reciprocal trade agreements between US and Latin America. Used political and economic influence instead of military. People thought this was “colonialism by contract” by the financial advisors from the US who served Latin America in the 1920s. Also US and Latin America became virtual allies because of this and gave US dominance in western hemisphere. Still part of Roosevelt Corollary in that it encouraged US interference without a military presence and still had hegemony as he pain goal
Atlantic Charter Conference
- 4 day meeting between Churchill and FDR in Argentina, Newfoundland. British wanted supplies and ships and Americans wanted direct group troop buildup. First instance of Anglo-American solidarity, differences between British and Americans over how to handle Japan.
Atlantic Charter
- Stated the goals of WWII and was pledged to by the inital members of the UN. 8 point statement on the war. Reaffirmed collective security, national self-determination, freedom of seas, liberal trading policies. Charter became a propaganda tool against Axis. 26 nations signed the Declaration of the UN pledging to achieve the aims of the charter. Began Anglo-American commitment to USSR.
