Question | Answer |
Explain why Americans became interested in an overseas empire in the late 19th century. | - The end of the frontier sparked fears of diminishing opportunities at home
- farmers and industrialists needed to sell extra goods
- economic growth |
Discuss the tenets of Social Darwinism espoused by Josiah Strong. | - civilize the world under Anglo-Saxon races
- convert everyone to Christianity world-wide
- God favored Anglo-Saxons |
Describe the basic goals of 19th century American foreign policy. | - international trade
- annex Canada or Mexico (Monroe Doctrine)
- Pan-American unity against nations of the Old World
- coveted Hawaii and other outposts on the sea-lanes to China |
List the foreign policy goals of William H. Seward. | - American empire stretching south into Latin America and west to the shores of Asia
- including Canada and Mexico; islands in the Caribbean as strategic bases to protect a canal across the isthmus; and Hawaii and other islands as stepping stones to Asia |
Explain U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America from 1869 to 1896. | - Pan-Americanism (union of all nations of North, Central, & South Am) & tariff reciprocity
- diverted Latin Am trade from Europe to the US thro a series of reciprocity treaties
- US supported & defended Venezuela against GBrit w/ the Monroe Doctrine |
Discuss the U.S. relationship with Hawaii in the 19th century. | - 1875: reciprocity treaty allowed Hawaiian sugar duty free entry to the US & bound Hawaii to only trade w/ the US |
Explain why Americans favored the annexation of Hawaii. | - its strategic location; wanted it as a military base
- fear of other nations, like Japan, annexing it
- US depended on its sugar
- feelings among Americans that the nation had a responsibility to bring Christianity and civilize the islands |
List the participants in the dispute over Pago Pago in 1889. | - US
- Great Britain
- Germany |
Describe Alfred Thayer Mahan's arguments for a new navy. | - industrialism produces surpluses for which markets are needed, markets involve distant ports which require a large merchant marine and a strong navy to protect it at sea
- the US must expand its navy if its going to compete in the race for power |
List the causes of the Spanish-American War. | - Rebellion in Cuba
- "Yellow press" whipped up US sentiment to favor Cuban independence
- Explosion of the USS Maine
- Congress declared Cuba independent and passed "Teller Amendment" (declaration that the US didn't want to annex Cuba) |
Describe the types of U.S. troops used in the Spanish-American War. | - small regular army - 28,000
- 1 million volunteers (some black) were enlisted in National Guard units that were then integrated into the national army
- unprepared soldiers (more experienced in Indian uprisings that fighting large-scale battles |
List the major campaigns and ranking officers involved in the Spanish- American War. | - Commodore George Dewey - against the Spanish base in the Philippines (Manila Bay campaign)
- Teddy Roosevelt - the Cuban campaign
- Admiral William T. Sampson - against Admiral Pascual Cervera's main Spanish fleet
- Rough Riders
- San Juan Hill |
Describe the new American empire after the Spanish-American War. | - Spain ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the US and allowed Americans to occupy Manila until Spain and the US agree on the Philippines
- Spain and the US signed the "Treaty of Paris" (requiring Spain to recognize Cuba's independence, assume the Cuban debt) |
Explain the reasons for opposition in the U.S. to overseas empire. | - annexing the Philippines violates the American principles of independence and self determination
- US will starve to death, fear of cheap labor, debt
- didn't want to mix races
- practicing tyranny abroad will lead to tyranny at home
- lead to war |
Discuss John Hay's "Open Door" policy in China. | - nats w spheres of influ. in China will respect the privilege & rights of other nats that want to trade in China
- nats won't discriminate w/ regard to port dues & RR rates
- Chinese gov can continue to collect tariff duties in all spheres |