Chapter 9 United States History

An Emerging World Power

Imperialism
political, military, and economic domination of strong nation over weaker territories
Extractive Economy
economy in a colony where the colonizing country removed raw materials and shipped them
back home to benefit its own economy
Alfred T. Mahan
a military historian and an officer in the US Navy, played a key role in transforming America
into a naval power. he called upon America to build a modern fleet and argued that the US
would need to require foreign bases where American ships could refuel and gather fresh
supplies. caused the states to expand and modernize its navy by building new steel-plated,
steam powered battleships like the USS Maine
Social Darwinism
the belief held by some in the late nineteenth century that certain nations and races were
superior to others and therefore designed to rule over them
Frederick Jackson Turner

Matthew Perry - 1853
commodore, sailed a fleet of American warships into present-day Tokyo Bay, which were not
allowed. but he showered the emperor in lavish gifts and composed a treaty so Japan would
trade with the US
Queen Liliuokalani
determined Hawaiian nationalist, resented increasing power of the white planters, who
owned much of the Hawaiian land. she abolished the constitution that had given political
power to the whit minority.
Commodity
anything bought or sold; any article of commerce
USS Maine - 1898
also helped cause the Spanish American War. sent to the Hawaiian Harbor, is blown up (the
spanish) - actually blew up because coal reserves went down, releases gas
Sewards Folly
in 1867 Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
journalists scoffed at the purchase and referred to Alaska as Sewards Folly or Sewards
Icebox
Midway Island

Pearl Harbor

Hawaiian Islands

Jose Marti
Chapter 9 United States History

cuban patriot, launched a war for independence from Spain. helped cause the Spanish
American War
William Randolph Hearst
rival newspaper publisher with Joseph Pulitzer. heightened the publics dislike of the
Spanish government. his stories exaggerated Spanish atrocities and compared cuabn rebels
to the patriots of the American Revolution.
Yellow Press or Yellow Journalism
newspapers that used sensational headlines and exaggerated stories in order to promote
readership. was called the yellow press because they featured a popular comic-strip
character called The Yellow Kid
also helped cause the Spanish American War
Jingoism
aggressive nationalism; support for warlike foreign policy
George Dewey - May 1, 1898
commodore, steamed his squadron of vessels into Manila Bay, in the Spanish-Held
Philippines. no Americans died during this naval battle, nearly 400 Spanish sailors died
though
Emilio Aguinaldo
Filipino nationalist, defeated the Spanish Army while Dewey defeated the Spanish Navy
Rough Riders
group of men, consisting of rugged westerners and upper class easterners who during the
Spanish American War
Treaty Paris - 1898
Spanish give up Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Sold the Philippines to the US for $20
million
Insurrection
rebellion
Guerrilla Warfare
non-traditional combat methods, generally involving small bands of fighters to attack
behind American lines
William Howard Taft - 1901
future President of the United States, became governor of the Philippines. he censored the
press and places dissidents in jail to maintain order and to win the support of the Filipino
people, et a the same time he extended limited self-rule and ordered the construction of
school, roads, and bridges.
Sphere of Influence
a region dominated and controlled by an outside power
John Hay
Secretary of State, called the Spanish American War the splendid little war
Boxer Rebellion
violence started by members of a secret society in China, which prompted the governments
of Europe and America to send troops to squash the rebellion
Open Door Policy
Chapter 9 United States History

American statements that the government did not want colonies in China, but favored free
trade there
Russo-Japanese War - 1904
a war between Japan and Russia over the presence of Russian troops in Manchuria
Gentlemans Agreement
pact between the US and Japan to end segregation of Asian children in San Francisco public
schools. In return, Japan agreed to limit the immigration of its citizens to the US.
Great White Fleet - 1907
battleships sent by Roosevelt on a good will cruise around the world
Foracker Act
law establishing a civil government in Puerto Rico
Platt Amendment
set of conditions under which Cuba was granted independence in 1902, including
restrictions on rights of Cubans and granting to the US the right to intervene to preserve
order in Cuba
Big Stick Diplomacy
Theodore Roosevelts policy of creating and using, when necessary, a strong military to
achieve Americas goals
Panama Canal
human-made waterway linking the Atlantic to the Pacific across the Isthmus of Panama
Roosevelt Corollary
President Theodore Roosevelts reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine to keep the Western
Hemisphere free from intervention by European Powers
Dollar Diplomacy
President Tafts policy of expanding American investments abroad
Moral Diplomacy
Woodrow Wilsons statement that the US would not use force to assert influence in the
world, but would instead work to promote human rights
Pancho Villa