Imperialism and America Chapter 18

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Questions and Answers

What is imperialism?

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

What were the factors of imperialism?

Economic (correct)

Military (correct)

Racial belief of superiority (correct)

None of the above

How did the US settle its economic roots using imperialism?

By establishing new markets, foreign trade, and finding solutions to overproduction of products.

How did the US settle its military roots using imperialism?

By building up a military and constructing modern ships. Signup and view all the answers

How did the US settle its racial roots using imperialism?

Hawaiians were unable to vote on the annexation, Anglo-Saxons were viewed as superior, and Social Darwinism was applied. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Admiral Mahan and what did he advocate for?

He was an advocate of military expansionism who argued for a strong US navy and the establishment of naval bases. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam after the Spanish-American War?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Who was José Martí?

He organized Cuban resistance against Spain using guerrilla tactics and campaigns. Signup and view all the answers

The De Lôme letter criticized President McKinley as strong.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the U.S.S. Maine's deployment to Cuba?

To protect American lives and property. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Open Door Policy?

Proposed equal opportunities for trade in China and respect for Chinese rights. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'sphere of influence' refer to?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What was the Platt Amendment?

It limited Cuba's ability to make treaties, allowed US intervention, and established naval stations. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Treaty of Paris?

It ended the Spanish-American War and ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the US. Signup and view all the answers

Who was William Taft?

He was a Republican president who promoted 'dollar diplomacy' to extend American interests abroad. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Boxer Rebellion?

A movement by Chinese rebels against foreign influence and missionaries in China. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Rough Riders?

A volunteer cavalry unit credited with success at the Battle of San Juan Hill. Signup and view all the answers

The ________ was built by the US to expedite passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Panama Canal Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Imperialism

A policy aimed at extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Factors Contributing to Imperialism

Economic motives: exploitation of new markets and foreign trade to address overproduction.
Military motives: expansion of military capability and modern naval construction.
Racial beliefs: emphasis on Anglo-Saxon superiority and Social Darwinism.

Economic Roots of American Imperialism

Establishing new markets for American goods.
Encouraging foreign trade.
Finding solutions for domestic overproduction crises.

Military Roots of American Imperialism

Enhancing military power.
Developing modern naval fleets.

Racial Roots of American Imperialism

Consistent exclusion of native Hawaiians from the political process regarding annexation.
Promulgation of beliefs in Anglo-Saxon superiority.

Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan

Advocated for military expansion and a strong navy.
Stressed the importance of defending shipping lanes for economic growth.
Encouraged the development of naval bases, a fleet, and strategic acquisitions including Hawaii.

Events in Hawaii (1875-1898)

1875: U.S. granted duty-free status on Hawaiian sugar.
1887: Hawaii cedes rights for a U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor.
1890: McKinley Tariff ends the duty-free status, triggering a crisis.
1891: Queen Liliuokalani attempts constitutional reform; overthrown by Sanford Dole.
1897: McKinley supports annexation, unlike Cleveland; Congress proclaims Hawaii a U.S. territory in 1898.

Key Figures in Hawaiian History

Queen Liliuokalani: Proposed constitutional reforms to empower Hawaiians; imprisoned after the coup.
Sanford Dole: Led the coup against Queen Liliuokalani; became Hawaii's president.

Spanish-American War and Economic Interests

U.S. interventions in Cuba driven by American business interests, particularly sugar.

Cuban Rebellion and U.S. Military Involvement

José Martí organized guerrilla resistance against Spanish rule, impacting American properties.
Valeriano Weyler's brutal tactics led to negative perceptions of Spain in the U.S.

Media Influence

Yellow journalism exaggerated events to incite public support for intervention.
The De Lôme letter criticized McKinley, inflaming tensions.

The U.S.S. Maine Incident

Sent to Cuba under the pretext of protecting American lives; exploded under mysterious circumstances, blamed on Spain.

Outcomes of the Spanish-American War

Cuba gained independence.
Puerto Rico and Guam became U.S. territories.
Philippines ceded to the U.S. for $20 million.

Key Battles and Figures in the War

George Dewey: Commanded U.S. forces at the Battle of Manila Bay.
Rough Riders: Volunteer regiment led by Roosevelt, notable for their charge at San Juan Hill.

Open Door Policy

Advocated by the U.S. for equal trade opportunities in China while neglecting to consult China, inciting the Boxer Rebellion.

Consequences of U.S. Expansion

Roosevelt Corollary extended the Monroe Doctrine, asserting U.S. rights to intervene in Latin America.
The Panama Canal enabled faster travel between the Atlantic and Pacific, but damaged U.S.-Latin American relations.

Dollar Diplomacy

Promoted by Taft, emphasized using economic power to influence foreign nations by guaranteeing loans.

Anti-Imperialism Sentiment

Critiques of imperialism as antithetical to democracy and concerns over military expenditure and domestic employment.

Significant Treaties

Treaty of Paris: Concluded the Spanish-American War, solidifying U.S. territorial gains.
Treaty of Portsmouth: Ended the Russo-Japanese War, granting Japan control of Korea.

"The White Man's Burden": A mindset justifying imperialism as a duty to civilize other races.
Gunboat diplomacy used to negotiate favorable terms through military threat.

Noteworthy Events in Expansionism

Matthew Perry's expedition opened Japan to American trade.
Seward's Folly: The purchase of Alaska, deemed wasteful but later proven strategically valuable.

International Relations with Nicaragua

Dollar diplomacy emphasized U.S. financial influence to guide decisions of foreign nations.

Impact on American Democracy

Concerns about the implications of imperialism on American values and the ability to maintain democratic principles.

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Explore the key concepts of imperialism as detailed in Chapter 18. This quiz covers the definition of imperialism, its driving factors, and how the U.S. utilized it to expand economically. Test your knowledge of American history and imperialistic strategies.