Podcast
Questions and Answers
Right after the Civil War America was ______________ to the outside world.
Right after the Civil War America was ______________ to the outside world.
indifferent
What were the driving forces behind American imperialism?
What were the driving forces behind American imperialism?
Ministers seeking souls, patriots wanting to prove America's strength, and navy's who desired the sea.
What was James G. Blaine's 'Big Sister' policy aimed at?
What was James G. Blaine's 'Big Sister' policy aimed at?
Rallying Latin American nations behind Uncle Sam's leadership and opening Latin American markets to Yankee traders.
What territorial dispute nearly led to conflict between the American and German navies in 1889?
What territorial dispute nearly led to conflict between the American and German navies in 1889?
What marked the path of American diplomacy in the late 1880s and early 1890s?
What marked the path of American diplomacy in the late 1880s and early 1890s?
What is moral imperialism?
What is moral imperialism?
What does defensive imperialism entail?
What does defensive imperialism entail?
What motivated economic imperialism?
What motivated economic imperialism?
What was the Spanish-American War?
What was the Spanish-American War?
What is yellow journalism?
What is yellow journalism?
What did the 1898 Treaty of Paris accomplish?
What did the 1898 Treaty of Paris accomplish?
What did the Teller Amendment state?
What did the Teller Amendment state?
What is Guantanamo?
What is Guantanamo?
What is the Open Door Policy?
What is the Open Door Policy?
What was the Boxer Rebellion?
What was the Boxer Rebellion?
Why was the Panama Canal built?
Why was the Panama Canal built?
What was the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty?
What was the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty?
Who led the Panamanian revolution?
Who led the Panamanian revolution?
When was the Panama Canal under U.S. control?
When was the Panama Canal under U.S. control?
What does Big Stick Diplomacy entail?
What does Big Stick Diplomacy entail?
What sparked the Russo-Japanese War?
What sparked the Russo-Japanese War?
What did Teddy Roosevelt achieve in 1905?
What did Teddy Roosevelt achieve in 1905?
What was the Gentlemen's Agreement?
What was the Gentlemen's Agreement?
What was the purpose of the Great White Fleet?
What was the purpose of the Great White Fleet?
What did the Root-Takahira Agreement establish?
What did the Root-Takahira Agreement establish?
What is a muckraker?
What is a muckraker?
What does Progressivism refer to?
What does Progressivism refer to?
What was the Omaha Platform?
What was the Omaha Platform?
What is an initiative in politics?
What is an initiative in politics?
What is a referendum?
What is a referendum?
What is a recall election?
What is a recall election?
What is graft in politics?
What is graft in politics?
What is the secret ballot?
What is the secret ballot?
How was the West created?
How was the West created?
What did the 17th Amendment establish?
What did the 17th Amendment establish?
What groups did urban reformers attack to bring order to the streets?
What groups did urban reformers attack to bring order to the streets?
What did the Declaration of Sentiments declare?
What did the Declaration of Sentiments declare?
How was Teddy Roosevelt described at home compared to outside the country?
How was Teddy Roosevelt described at home compared to outside the country?
What does the Square Deal encompass?
What does the Square Deal encompass?
What is the role of the Department of Commerce and Labor?
What is the role of the Department of Commerce and Labor?
What did the Elkins Act accomplish?
What did the Elkins Act accomplish?
What did the Hepburn Act achieve?
What did the Hepburn Act achieve?
What does trust busting refer to?
What does trust busting refer to?
What does the Meat Inspection Act entail?
What does the Meat Inspection Act entail?
What does consumer protection entail?
What does consumer protection entail?
What was the purpose of the Newland Act?
What was the purpose of the Newland Act?
What is Yosemite Park known for?
What is Yosemite Park known for?
What was the Panic of 1907?
What was the Panic of 1907?
What are key points of Roosevelt's Legacy?
What are key points of Roosevelt's Legacy?
What does the Big Stick of Publicity refer to?
What does the Big Stick of Publicity refer to?
What is government progressivism?
What is government progressivism?
Study Notes
American Imperialism and Diplomacy
- After the Civil War, America had an indifferent stance towards the outside world.
- American imperialism arose from multiple motivations including religious missionaries, patriotic fervor, and naval expansionism, particularly emphasized by Alfred Thayer Mahan's publication.
- The "Big Sister" policy, advocated by James G. Blaine, aimed to unite Latin American nations under U.S. leadership and expand trade opportunities.
Conflicts and Wars
- Tensions nearly escalated into war in 1889 between the U.S. and Germany over the Samoan Islands, which were later divided.
- American diplomacy faced several diplomatic crises during the late 1880s and early 1890s.
- The Spanish-American War in 1898 focused on Cuban independence from Spain and marked a significant foreign conflict for the U.S.
Media Influence
- Yellow journalism, exemplified by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, sensationalized events to sway public opinion towards the war.
Key Treaties and Amendments
- The 1898 Treaty of Paris resulted in Spain ceding Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to the U.S. for $20 million while recognizing U.S. occupation of Cuba.
- The Teller Amendment assured that the U.S. would not annex Cuba.
- The Platt Amendment granted the U.S. rights to intervene in Cuban affairs, highlighting American control.
Asian Relations and Policies
- The Open Door Policy sought equal trading rights in China for all nations.
- The Boxer Rebellion in 1899, initiated by a secret society opposing foreign intervention, was quelled by foreign troops, including British forces.
Infrastructure and Expansion
- The construction of the Panama Canal, costing $400 million, was influenced by American support in a revolution against Colombia, allowing for quicker naval passage between the Atlantic and Pacific.
- The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty permitted the U.S. to build the canal, enhancing trade routes and U.S. influence.
Roosevelt's Diplomacy
- Big Stick Diplomacy emphasized military readiness to achieve foreign policy objectives, encapsulated in Roosevelt's famous phrase about speaking softly while wielding significant military power.
- The Russo-Japanese War illustrated the rival imperialist ambitions of Russia and Japan, with Roosevelt mediating peace and earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905.
Progressive Era and Reform Movements
- Muckrakers exposed governmental and corporate corruption, fueling the Progressive movement aimed at increasing democracy and addressing social issues.
- The Omaha Platform reflected the demands of the Populist Party, advocating for reforms such as bimetallism and government regulation of industry.
Legislative Achievements
- The Elkins Act empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad practices.
- The Hepburn Act further strengthened government control over railroad rates and practices.
Consumer and Environmental Protection
- The Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act imposed regulations to ensure the safety of consumer products, marking a shift towards greater government involvement.
- Conservation efforts were promoted, such as the Newland Act, which initiated irrigation projects, and the establishment of national parks like Yosemite.
Economic Challenges
- The Panic of 1907 highlighted the limited control of the government over the economy, leading to debates about the effects of Roosevelt's policies.
- Key legacies of Roosevelt include an expanded presidential power, a progressive governmental stance, and establishing the U.S. as a leading global force.
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Description
Test your knowledge on American Imperialism and its diplomatic efforts post-Civil War. Explore the motivations behind expansionism, the influence of media, and key conflicts like the Spanish-American War. Dive into how America's role evolved during this pivotal era.
