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Isolationism
the belief that a nation should stay out of the affairs of other nations
Seward's Icebox
The name of Alaska after William H. Seward had bought it from Russia in 1867. Most believed it was a barren, frozen wasteland with little to no importance. People would later find gold on the territory, and Seward's actions didn't look to foolish after all.
Open Door Policy
The U.S. government and business leaders feared being left out of the China trade. Secretary of State John Hay proposed an Open Door policy. It gave each nation rights to trade freely in each other's sphere of influence. At first, the other countries did not accept the policy. Then after dramatic events, people started to change their minds. After the boxer rebellion, Hay proposed a second policy that stressed the importance of China's borders.
Yellow Journalism
Stories that were usually fake, biased, and or sensational. The type of writing got its name from the yellow ink that was used in the comic strips. The topic of the journalism was the conflict between the Cuban rebels and Spain.
Wilson's "Moral Diplomacy"
Wilson recognized the importance of military power and economic interests. Wilson, however, wanted to base his foreign policy on moral principles—ideas of right and wrong.
Expansionism
the practice of spreading a nation's territorial or economic control beyond its borders
Provisional Government
A temporary form of government
Gentlemen's Agreement
In 1906, officials in San Francisco ordered the city's Asian students to attend separate schools from white students. President Roosevelt persuaded city officials to change this policy of segregation. In return, Japan agreed to a "gentlemen's agreement," promising to limit the flow of immigrants. Japan later resented the deal and relations between the 2 countries worsened.
"Remember the Maine"
A slogan that represented a cry for revenge. President McKinley sent the battleship USS Maine to Havana. The goal was to protect American citizens and property. Then, on the night of February 15, 1898, a huge explosion shattered the USS Maine, killing 260. American newspapers blamed the Spanish, who denied responsibility. Much later however, evidence came out the the explosion could have been accidental. Later, the Americans signed a truce with Spain. But McKinley was not satisfied and later declared War on Spain.
Francisco "Pancho" Villa
Villa shot 16 U.S. workers in Mexico because of U.S. support for Carranza, the leader of Mexico at the time. Villa hoped to damage Mexican-U.S. relations, but the United States did not respond. Then Villa's rebels burned a town in New Mexico and killed 18 there, actions that shocked the U.S leaders. He was chased for a year with no avail
Imperialism
the policy of extending a nation's rule over other territories and countries
Sphere of Influence
section of a country in which a foreign nation enjoys special rights and powers
3 US Presidents annexing Hawaii
1st - Benjamin Harrison signed the annexation treaty.
2nd - Grover Cleveland withdrew the treaty from the senate and called the American actions in Hawaii 'disgraceful' and the use of U.S Marines to help the planters revolt was 'a violation of national honesty'.
3rd - Hawaii's provisional government waited until Cleveland's term was over. After William McKinley was elected into office, Congress approved the annexation and Hawaii became a U.S territory in 1900.
Spanish-American War
A war between the U.S and Spain over the actions that took place in Cuba to its citizens and the blowing up of the USS Maine
Panama Canal's Introduction
- Americans and Europeans had long wanted to build a canal across Central America. Such a canal would connect the Caribbean and the Pacific Oceans
- A French company tried to build a canal across Panama. Their efforts later failed.
- Secretary of State John Hay negotiated a treaty with Colombia. The treaty gave the United States control of a piece of land across the isthmus for 99 years. For this the United States would pay $10 million, plus an annual rent of $250,000. The Colombians rejected this idea
- Roosevelt wrote that he would "be delighted if Panama were an independent state." The people of the area had staged unsuccessful revolts against Colombia in the past. Now, they had reason to hope the United States would support such a revolt.
- On November 2, 1903, the American warship Nashville steamed into the port of Colón. Encouraged by this show of support, Panamanians declared independence. Colombia sent forces to stop the revolt, but the United States turned them back.
- After Panama gained its Independence, the United States recognized them as a country immediately
Josiah Strong
A Congregational minister, who proposed an "imperialism of righteousness." He thought Americans should bring their religion and culture to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He thought it would lift up the world's uncivilized people by exposing them to Christianity.
Annexation of Samoa
The US, Great Britain, and Germany wall had trading rights in Samoa. The Samoans let the U.S build Naval Bases at Pogo Pogo. In 1899 the United States, Great Britain, and Germany met in Berlin. Without consulting the Samoans, the United States and Germany divided Samoa between them. The United States quickly annexed its portion.
Armistice
An agreement to end fighting
Dollar Diplomacy
the policy of using economic investment to protect U.S. interests abroad
Panama Canal's Opening
- Hay signed a treaty with the new nation giving the United States rights to a 10-mile (16-km) strip across the isthmus. The U.S. paid Panama the same amount it had offered earlier to Colombia.
- Roosevelt's actions angered many Latin Americans, some members of Congress, and other Americans. The president, however, took great pride in his accomplishment.
- An English writer described Panama as "a damp, tropical jungle, intensely hot, swarming with mosquitoes." The insects carried deadly diseases—yellow fever and malaria. These would kill thousands of workers before a U.S. Army doctor, Colonel William Gorgas, developed effective mosquito control measures.
- The Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914. A cargo ship named the Ancon made the first voyage through the new waterway. From the start, the canal was a great success.
- The Panama Canal also helped extend American naval power. The U.S. naval fleet could now move freely between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal was a valuable property that the United States would protect. This meant that the U.S. would involve itself in Latin America.
- Some Latin Americans remained bitter over how the United States got the land for the canal. This feeling soured relations between the United States and Latin America for years.
James G. Blaine
In 1884, the Republican nominee for president, declared that the United States should "improve and expand its trade with the nations of America."As secretary of state in 1889, they invited Latin American leaders to attend a conference in Washington, D.C. The conference led to the Pan-American Union, which promoted cooperation among member nations.
Boxer Rebellion
In 1899 a secret Chinese society known as the Boxers rose up against "foreign devils" in China. The Boxers were angry at European attempts to carve up the country. Many foreigners died in violent clashes. The next year, foreign troops finally put down the Boxer Rebellion. This rebellion led to a second Open Door proposal.
Protectorate
a country under the control of a different country
Roosevelt Corollary
This stated that the United States had the right to get involved in the affairs of Latin American nations whenever they seemed unstable. The United States would act as a "police power" in Latin America.
Isthmus
a narrow strip of land connecting two larger bodies of land