14- U.S. Imperialism and Global Involvement

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Questions and Answers

How did the Open Door Policy contribute to U.S. imperialism?

By promoting free trade with China, thus securing U.S. economic interests without direct territorial control. (correct)

By initiating a military campaign to secure access to Chinese ports and markets.

By seeking to colonize China and establish direct control over its resources.

By supporting the Chinese government in its fight against foreign influence and intervention.

Which of the following statements BEST explains the connection between protective tariffs and U.S. economic nationalism?

Protective tariffs were intended to create a surplus of goods, leading to lower prices for consumers and increased demand for foreign products.

Protective tariffs were used to protect American industries from foreign competition and encourage domestic production. (correct)

Protective tariffs were designed to encourage the purchase of foreign goods, thus promoting free trade and global economic interdependence.

Protective tariffs were introduced to discourage American companies from competing with foreign businesses in national markets.

What is the connection between the sinking of the USS Maine and the Spanish-American War?

The sinking of the USS Maine provided evidence that Spain was intentionally targeting U.S. ships, leading to a declaration of war.

The sinking of the USS Maine was a minor incident that had no significant impact on the outbreak of the war.

The sinking of the USS Maine was a major event that fueled public outrage and supported the war effort, although it might not have been the sole cause. (correct)

The sinking of the USS Maine was the primary cause of the war, as the United States immediately declared war on Spain after the incident.

How did the construction of the Panama Canal contribute to U.S. imperialism?

By providing a faster and more efficient route for U.S. ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, strengthening its global influence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the United States choose to expand its influence in Asia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Select the answer that best reflects the motivations behind American imperialism at the time.

The United States had a belief in the inherent superiority of American culture and desired to bring civilization to Asia. (C), The United States was looking for new markets to sell its industrial goods and access to raw materials. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did Theodore Roosevelt's approach to regulating big businesses differ from the traditional laissez-faire approach prevalent in the 19th century?

Unlike the laissez-faire approach of minimal government involvement, Roosevelt believed in active federal intervention to break up monopolies and control corporate abuses. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection between the Open Door policy and the United States's growing economic interests in China?

The Open Door policy sought to ensure the United States's access to the Chinese market and prevent any single foreign power from controlling it. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors played a significant role in shaping the United States's imperialist ambitions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

A combination of economic opportunities, belief in American exceptionalism, and a desire to expand its global influence. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the impact of Theodore Roosevelt's 'Square Deal' domestic program on American society?

The 'Square Deal' was a moderate approach, aimed at balancing the needs of businesses, workers, and consumers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary political motivation behind Theodore Roosevelt's decision to build the Panama Canal?

To provide a strategic advantage for the United States, by reducing travel time and facilitating the movement of troops and supplies. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these policies was NOT associated with Theodore Roosevelt's presidency?

New Freedom (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an accurate representation of Theodore Roosevelt's views on trusts and monopolies?

Roosevelt advocated for the complete elimination of all trusts and monopolies, regardless of their economic impact. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of Theodore Roosevelt's 'New Nationalism' policy?

To promote economic growth and social welfare through government regulation and intervention. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was Woodrow Wilson's primary rationale for supporting the creation of the Federal Reserve System?

To regulate the amount of money in circulation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST characterizes the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy and Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy?

Both presidents sought to expand American influence in the world, but their methods differed. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

U.S. Global Involvement/Imperialism

Between the 1890s and 1914, the U.S. expanded its access to overseas markets and raw materials, using a policy of imperialism (extending rule through military and economic control).
Reasons for U.S. imperialism included the expansion of American industry, needing raw materials and new markets for surplus goods.
Dollar diplomacy was a U.S. foreign policy that used financial power to increase influence in Latin America; corporations needed new markets for their goods.
The U.S. practiced economic nationalism to prioritize its domestic economy over global trade, using protective tariffs.
Protective tariffs (taxes on foreign products) were designed to make foreign goods more expensive, encouraging the purchase of American products.
The Open Door Policy (1899-1900) aimed to ensure equal access for all nations to trade with China, preventing any single power from monopolizing the trade market. The U.S. wanted to secure equal trade opportunities in China and guarantee its access to the markets.

Spanish-American War (1898)

Yellow journalism (propaganda and sensationalized news) played a significant role in generating public support for the war, often exaggerating events; Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst employed this tactic, using articles about the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine as a catalyst.
The war led to the construction of the Panama Canal, a waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly shortening the travel distance and improving trade routes.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt served three full terms as president, plus part of a fourth, from 1901-1909.
He focused on conservation of natural resources; corporate laws; and consumerism. His domestic policy known as the Square Deal addressed those goals.
Trust busting involved breaking up monopolies and trusts to promote competition.
Roosevelt's Big Stick policy involved using a strong military presence to protect U.S. interests globally. "Speak softly and carry a big stick".

Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president and significantly changed U.S. economic policy, leading the country into World War I.
He supported the creation of the Federal Reserve System (1913) to regulate the amount of money in circulation to stabilize the economy, limiting the power of big business.
Initially, he adopted a policy of neutrality during World War I. However, by 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany due to increased German submarine warfare. Wilson's support for allied nations (Britain and France) also contributed to the U.S. entry into World War I.

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Description

Explore the key aspects of U.S. imperialism from the 1890s to 1914. This quiz covers the economic motivations behind expansion, policies like dollar diplomacy, and initiatives such as the Open Door Policy in relation to global trade. Test your knowledge on how these factors shaped American foreign relations.