Annexation of Hawaii
annexed by the United States when President William McKinley signed the Newlands Resolution on July 7, 1898. In this agreement, the U.S. gained access and possession of all ports, buildings, harbors, military equipment and public property that had formally belonged to the Government of the Hawaiian Islands.
American Imperialism
This term refers to the economic, military, and cultural influence of the United States on other countries.
Social Darwinism
an ideology of society that seeks to apply biological concepts of Darwinism or of evolutionary theory to sociology and politics, often under the assumption that conflict between groups in society leads to social progress, as superior groups out-compete inferior ones.
American Exceptionalism
A belief, central to American political culture since the Revolution, that Americans have a unique mission among nations to spread freedom and democracy. American exceptionalism remains popular among Americans, but might be associated with aggressive and exclusionary (and thus unjust) policies.
American Anti-Imperialist League
A U.S. organization which opposed U.S. control of the Philippines as a violation of republican principles. The group also believed in free-trade, the gold standard, and limited government. On the question of imperialism, the AAIL was defeated by progressives, who generally supported American empire.
Alfred T. Mahan
U.S. Naval officer and highly influential geopolitical strategist. His views on the centrality of naval power to geopolitical stature influenced military strategy among world powers and helped cause the European arm's race of the 1890s.
The Philippine–American War
an armed conflict that resulted in American colonial rule of the Philippines until 1946.
Philippine Revolution of 1896
An armed conflict in which Philippine revolutionaries tried to win national independence from Spanish colonial rule. Power struggles among the revolutionaries and conflict with Spanish forces continued throughout the Spanish-American War.
Battle of Manila
The battle which began the Philippine-American War of 1899. The war resulted in American victory and colonial rule over the Philippines until 1946.
Rough Riders
The nickname of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, led by Theodore Roosevelt in a successful campaign against Spanish force in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. The Rough Riders became national heroes in the United States.
Theodore Roosevelt
The 26th President of the United States of America (1901–1909), noted for his exuberant personality and leadership of the Progressive Movement. As president, his priorities included the progressive aims of combating governmental corruption, limiting the power of large corporations, and establishing a colonial empire
USS Maine
A United States battleship which exploded in Havana harbor due to unknown causes in 1898. Popular opinion, incited by sensationalist journalism, blamed the Spanish for the explosion. Its destruction thus helped precipitate the Spanish-American War.
yellow fever
An acute viral infection which inflicted the American Army in Cuba during the Spanish-American War The U.S. Army in experienced 13 times more yellow fever casualties than combat casualties during the Cuba campaign.
yellow journalism
Journalism which is sensationalistic and of questionable accuracy and taste.
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary is a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine that was articulated by President Theodore Roosevelt in his State of the Union Address in 1904. The corollary states that the United States will intervene in conflicts between European Nations and Latin American countries to enforce legitimate claims of the European powers, rather than having the Europeans press their claims directly.
Big Stick Diplomacy or Big Stick policy
refers to U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt's corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: "speak softly, and carry a big stick.
United Fruit Company
An American company that sold fruit produced on Latin and South American plantations to North American and European markets. Along with the Standard Fruit Company, it dominated the economies and strongly influenced the governments of Latin American countries.
Marines
The branch of the United States armed forces responsible for rapidly delivered, combined force operations. The Marines carried out most of the US military operations of the Banana Wars.
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine is a policy of the United States introduced on December 2, 1823. It stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention
The "Big Brother" Policy
An extension of the Monroe Doctrine formulated in the 1880s that aimed to rally Latin American nations behind U.S. leadership and to open their markets to American traders.
Venezuela Crisis of 1895
A territorial dispute between Venezuela and Britain over the boundaries of Venezuela and British Guiana. The United States cited the Monroe Doctrine to compel the British to accept arbitration of the dispute. The court of arbitration awarded most of the disputed territory to the British.
Open Door Policy
A policy which governed the relationship between China and the imperial powers (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the U.S., and Japan) during the early 1900's. The policy forbade the imperial powers from taking Chinese territory and from interfering with each other's economic activities in China. 2