American Yawp Chapter 19: American Empire Flashcards

Key Concepts of American Imperialism

• Imperialism: Policy of expanding a nation's power and influence through diplomatic or military means.
• Open Door Policy: Initiated in 1899, aimed to ensure equal trading rights in China, promoting international trade and welfare.
• Spanish-American War (1898): Conflict instigated by U.S. intervention in Cuba. Catalyzed by the explosion of the USS Maine.
• Yellow Journalism: Sensationalist reporting that prioritized profit over factual news, influential during the build-up to the Spanish-American War.

Notable Figures in American Empire

• John Hay: Secretary of State who articulated the Open Door Policy and dubbed the Spanish-American War "A Splendid Little War."
• Theodore Roosevelt: 26th U.S. President, leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, known for his assertive foreign policy.
• William Taft: 27th President and later Chief Justice, famously associated with Dollar Diplomacy.
• Alfred Thayer Mahan: Naval officer whose book emphasized the importance of naval power in global politics.

Military and Political Events

• The Maine: U.S. battleship whose explosion in Havana Harbor led to the declaration of war against Spain.
• Rough Riders: A volunteer cavalry regiment led by Roosevelt that played a key role in the Battle of San Juan Hill.
• Filipino-American War (1899-1902): Conflict between the U.S. and Filipino revolutionaries as they fought for independence.
• Battle of San Juan Hill: Notable battle during the Spanish-American War that marked a turning point in favor of U.S. forces.

Legislative and Treaties

• Teller Amendment: Passed in 1898; assured the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the war.
• Treaty of Paris (1898): Ended the Spanish-American War; Spain relinquished Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.
• Platt Amendment: Added to the Army Appropriation Bill in 1901; established conditions for U.S. interventions in Cuba.
• Open Door Notes: Series of diplomatic messages affirming U.S. trading rights in China, sent to major world powers.

Impacts and Reactions

• Anti-Imperialist League: Formed in 1898 to oppose the annexation of the Philippines, advocating against imperial overreach.
• Reconcentration Camps: Established by Spanish General Weyler for Cuban insurgents, drawing criticism for humanitarian abuses.
• Boxer Rebellion (1900): Anti-foreign uprising in China, reflecting resistance against Western colonial influence.

Expansion and Infrastructure

• The Panama Canal: Completed canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, a strategic asset for trade and military movement.
• Manifest Destiny: Ideological precursor to imperialism, asserting that U.S. expansion was both justified and inevitable.
• Commodore George Dewey: Naval commander known for leading the U.S. fleet to victory in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

Significant Figures and Influences

• Valeriano Weyler: Spanish general known for his brutal tactics in Cuba, which fueled anti-Spanish sentiment in the U.S.
• Queen Liliuokalani: The last monarch of Hawaii, faced U.S. annexation pressures.
• Emiliano Aguinaldo: Leader of the Filipino independence movement, recognized as the first President of the Philippines.