Period 7 - 1890-1945

• What is imperialism?


  Expansion of one country's influence over another
• When did America begin its foray into imperialism?


  In 1867
• What territory did America purchase in 1867?


  Alaska from Russia and Great Britain
• Who was responsible for the purchase of Alaska?


  William Seward and Secretary of State Johnson
• How much did America pay for Alaska?


  7.2 million dollars
• Why was the purchase of Alaska called Seward's folly?


  It was seen as a useless territory
• What changed the perception of Alaska in 1898?


  Gold was discovered there
• What did imperialists desire to gain through expansion?


  Access to raw materials and new markets
• What theory did imperialists use to justify expansion?


  Social Darwinism
• Why did America feel the need to join European nations in expansion?


  To gain international respect
• Who wrote "Our Country: Its Possible Future and Present Crisis"?


  Reverend Josiah Strong
• What was the main argument of Reverend Josiah Strong's book?


  The white Anglo-Saxon race was fittest to survive
• What did Strong believe was the Christian duty of the Anglo-Saxon race?


  To expand and bring Christianity to foreign places
• Who published "The Influence of Sea Power on History"?


  Alfred Thayer Mahan
• What did Mahan argue was necessary for a country to be influential?


  A robust navy to secure foreign markets
• What action did Congress take following Mahan's arguments?


  Approved construction of a new steel fleet
• Why did the construction of a navy lead to imperialism?


  Needed territories to land ships and refuel
• Who wrote "The White Man’s Burden"?


  Rudyard Kipling
• What principle did anti-imperialists believe in?


  Self-determination for nations
• What did anti-imperialists argue about America's history?


  America had a long history of isolationism
• What did anti-imperialists fear about foreign involvement?


  Being drawn into wars and economic disputes
• What was the central debate between imperialists and anti-imperialists?


  If the Constitution follows the flag
• What did anti-imperialists argue regarding citizenship and rights?


  People in territories should have US rights
• What was the concealed argument of anti-imperialists against imperialism?


  Taking over nations full of brown people
• What did imperialists want regarding Cuba?


  To expand the American empire to Cuba
• What was the outcome of the Cuban nationalists' struggle against Spain in 1895?


  Spanish forces crushed the rebellion
• Who were the prominent figures in yellow journalism?


  Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst
• How did yellow journalism affect American public opinion about Cuba?


  It exaggerated Spanish atrocities against Cubans
• What was the public's reaction to yellow journalism regarding Cuba?


  They decided intervention was humanitarian
• What action did the US take due to public pressure regarding Cuba?


  Established a naval presence in Cuba
• What event in 1898 escalated tensions between the US and Spain?


  The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine
• What was the public's response to the U.S.S. Maine explosion?


  They blamed the Spanish for the incident
• What was the real cause of the U.S.S. Maine explosion?


  It was an accidental explosion
• What ultimatum did President McKinley give to Spain?


  Back off or we go to war
• What was Spain's response to McKinley's ultimatum?


  Spain agreed but the US declared war
• When did the Spanish-American War take place?


  From April 1898 to December 1898
• What was one effect of the Spanish-American War on Cuba?


  Cuba gained independence with conditions
• What were the conditions of the Platt Amendment for Cuba?


  • US could intervene militarily in Cuba
  • Aimed to protect American economic interests
  • Limited Cuba's ability to manage foreign policy
• What territory did the US annex from Spain after the war?


  The Philippines
• What role did Roosevelt play in the Philippines during the war?


  He bombarded the Spanish fleet there