Why did the USA emerge as a world power and what was the impact on international relations? #4

Question 1

When dis USA get independence and get recognized independence?

Answer 1

• 1776: Declaration of
  independence from
  Britain
• 1783: USA recognized as
  independent nation

Question 2

When and what was the Columbian Exhibition?

Answer 2

• Held in 1893 as “Coming of Age”
  celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage to America
• Frederick Jackson Turner “The
  significance of the Frontier in American
  History”

Question 3

What happens to American culture when the frontier is “closed”?

Answer 3

• Shift in Identity(symbolizing opportunity, individualism, and the spirit of adventure.)
• Urbanization
• Cultural Expression
• Expansion of Nationalism
• Social Issues: such as labor rights, immigration, and the treatment of Native Americans

Question 4

What was the economic depression of 1893?

Answer 4

• Also know as The Panic of 1893
• severe financial panic with a run on currency, and banks closing, and businesses and manufacturers not being able to open because they had not cash to pay workers or buy materials.

Question 5

Effects of the economic depression of 1893

Answer 5

• Unemployment
• Demonstrations and strikes
  threatening revolution
• Rapid growth of cities
• Unique social problems
• Slums

Question 6

How did the USA try try to safeguard against drastic fluctuations?

Answer 6

• Safeguard traditional markets:
• South America
• Domestic Market
• Open new markets in China and
  Europe

Question 7

What was the book written by Captain Alfred Mahan about? + When was it published?

Answer 7

• Published in 1890
• Argued that:
• The US must give up “continentalist
  strategy”
• Instead, it needs to build a large Military AND Merchant Navy
  This will allow:
• Competition for world trade
• Access to Raw materials and bases

Question 8

What were the outcomes of the USA’s naval development?

Answer 8

• By 1912, USA is a major world trading
  power
• National wealth doubles between 1900
  and 1912
• Investments overseas rise from
  $700,000,000 to 3,500,000,000 by 1914
• USA is now a leader in technology and
  manufacturing

Question 9

What were the Reasons for Spanish American War?

Answer 9

• America’s support the ongoing struggle by Cubans and Filipinos against Spanish rule
• the mysterious explosion of the battleship U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor

Question 10

Why did the USA intervene in the war between Spain and Cuba?

Answer 10

-Sensationalist reports in the “yellow press”
-Deliberate US shift in policy to be more assertive and
far reaching in its influence
-Trade
- US- owned estates, mines, and ranches threatened
-Rivalry between US political parties
- Maine explosion(Blamed on Spain, though likely internal
problem, ”Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain” )

Question 11

what did it mean when __ said the USA it must act to create order in its own “backyard” ?

Answer 11

-typically refers to the idea that the U.S. should take responsibility for stability and influence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- emphasizing a perceived duty to maintain stability and protect American interests in the region.

Question 12

What amendment specifically prohibits US from annexing Cuba?

Answer 12

Teller Amendment

Question 13

Impacts of the Spanish-American war

Answer 13

• Territories (from Philippine-American War, cuba, puertro rico, guam)
• Columbia and Panama (involvement in the construction of the Panama Canal.
• Liberia

Question 14

Impact of annexation of Philippines

Answer 14

-Becomes more powerful in Pacific and East Asia
-As a result, they are able to negotiate between Japan and Russia in 1905
-Gets Treaty of Portsmouth
-Didn’t want Japan or Russia to come out overly powerful
-Wants to keep Japan from being able to threaten Hawaii and Philippines

Question 15

Theodore Roosevelt in this matter

Answer 15

-Theodore Roosevelt is first US president to get involved in European affairs
-Negotiates dispute between Germany and France over Morocco (1905)
-Algeciras Conference
-This was requested by Kaiser Wilhelm
Roosevelt negotiates it in favor of France

Question 16

President Woodrow Wilson in this matter

Answer 16

-Campaigned on anti-imperialist platform
-Yet when troubles developed in -Caribbean, he sent in troops
-When Civil war erupts in Mexico, he initially sends some troops in before backing down due to concerns over Germany 1916
-Wins reelection on the slogan “he kept us out of the war”
- However joins war in 1917

Question 17

Impact on USA’s International Standing

Answer 17

• Colonial Expansion
• Military Recognition
• Change in Global Perception: Previously regional power, now recognized as a player in global politics, capable of projecting power far beyond its borders.

Question 18

Initial attitude towards the WW1: Mixed reviews

Answer 18

• Most Americans relieved that USA is not involved
• Woodrow Wilson and Elites in favor of Allies
• German Americans support Germany
• Irish Americans don’t trust Britain
• Jewish Americans hate anti-semitic Russia

Question 19

What are the Economic links between USA and Allies and why does it matter?

Answer 19

• Britain buying supplies from USA
• Britain Blockade preventing USA trade
  with Central Powers
• US banks loan millions of dollars to
  Britain
• In May, 1916: $10 Million new loans
  per day
• USA needs Allies to win in order to get
  paid back

Question 19

What was the (German U-boats) Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Answer 19

• Sinking of all merchant ships(Allied or neutral) carrying goods to or from Allied states
• Germany essentially sets up invisible blockade of Britain
• Some tactical problems

Question 20

What happened with Lusitania and when

Answer 20

• May 7, 1915
  British cruise liner sunk, killing 1198 people (including 128 Americans)
• Changing public opinion in the USA against Germany

Question 21

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Pt.2?

Answer 21

• German high command pushes for a
  return of USW
• The hope was to knock Britain out of
  the war quickly
• US ships are inevitably hit
  this pushes the US closer to war

Question 22

What was the Zimmerman telegram?

Answer 22

• Secret diplomatic communication sent by the German Empire to Mexico on January 16, 1917
• Intercepted and decoded by British intelligence
• Germany’s proposal for a military alliance with Mexico against the USA, promising the return of territories lost during the Mexican-American War( New Mexico, Arizona and Texas)
• This was perceived as a direct threat to US national security.
• It was named after German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann, who authored the message.

Question 23

Summary of Wilson’s 14 points

Answer 23

a visionary attempt to address the root causes of conflict and promote a more equitable and peaceful world order.

Question 24

Outcome of USA joining WW1

Answer 24

• Russia left the war in 1917 (Bolschevik revolution)
• Germany now attempts major push on Western Front
• March, 1918
  US troops help halt the advance in 2nd battle of Marne
• By Sept, 1 million+ American troops in France
• Battle of Argonne (Sept 26-Nov 11) major victory that sped up end of war

Question 25

Relations between USA and Russia

Answer 25

• February revolution had eliminated Tsarist regime
• Provisional Gov’t promises to fight “a people’s war” against Germany
  Wilson welcomes this and promises $450 million in aid
  Bolsheviks seize power in October 1917
• Lenin signs treaty of Brest-Litovsk
• US throws support behind “White Russians” who hope to overthrow the Bolscheviks
  This is unsuccessful and Bolscheviks have won the civil war by 1920