William Seward served both under both Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson as their secretary of state (1861-1869). He achieved more as secretary of state than anyone since the time of John Quincy Adams. During the Civil War, he helped Lincoln prevent Great Britain and France from entering the war on the side of the south. A strong expansionist, he was unsuccessful in his efforts to convince Congress to annex Hawaii and purchase the Danish West Indies, but he achieved the annexation of Midway Island in the Pacific and gained rights to build a canal in Nicaragua.Secretary of State who was responsible for purchasing Alaskan Territory from Russia. By purchasing Alaska, he expanded the territory of the country at a reasonable price.
Napoleon III took advantage of US involvement in the Civil War by sending French troops to occupy Mexico.
Alaska Purchase (1867) Russia found William Seward to be an enthusiastic champion of the idea of the United States acquiring Alaska by purchase. In 1867 Congress agreed to purchase Alaska for $7.2 million.
"New Imperialism" As the US industrialized in the late 19th century, it also intensified its foreign involvement partly because is needed 1) worldwide markets for its growing industrial and agricultural surpluses 2) sources of raw materials for manufacturing
International Darwinism Concept of the survival of the fittest was applied not only to competition in the business world but also to competition among nations. Only the strongest survived and depending on the interests of various groups, this meant that the US had to be strong religiously, militarily, and politically.
Josiah Strong wrote Our Country:Its Possible Future and Current Crisis
Our Country:Its Possible Future and Current Crisis Reverend Josiah Strong wrote that people of Anglo-Saxon stock were "the fittest to survive" and that Protestant Americas had a Christian duty to colonize other lands for the purpose of spreading Christianity and Western civilization
Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History Alfred Mahan argued that a strong navy was crucial to a country's ambitions of securing foreign markets and becoming a world power.
Pan-American Conference (1889) a permanent organization for international cooperation on trade and other issues. They were first introduced by James G. Blaine of Maine in order to establish closer ties between the United States and its southern neighbors.
James Blaine played a principal role in extending the tradition of assuming the role of protector of Latin America from European ambitionsJames Blaine Benjamin Harrison's secretary of state
Richard Olney secretary of state; insisted that Great Britain agree to arbitrate the boundary dispute between Venezuela and a neighboring territory-the colony of Guina. Secretary of State under Cleveland, he was authorized by the President to deliver a message to London that the British were ignoring the Monroe Doctrine in their attempt to dominate Venezuela.
Venezuela boundary dispute boundary dispute between Venezuela and a neighboring territory- the colony of Guina. Fixed when Olney and Cleveland convinced Britain to arbitrate.
Jingoism an intense form of nationalism calling for an aggressive foreign policy
ValerianoWeyler. General sent by Spain to stop Cuban revolt, referred to as the "Butcher" because of harsh tactics ("concentration camps, shooting civilian, etc.)
Yellow Journalism went to new extremes as two New York newspapers printed exaggerated and false accounts of Spanish atrocities in Cuba. Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.
New York World and New York Journal The name of the two newspapers that reported Yellow Journalism
Spanish-American War A principal target of American imperialism was the nearly Caribbean area. Expansionists from the south had coveted Cuba as early as the 1850s. Now, in the 1890s, large American investments in Cuban sugar, Spanish misrule of Cuba, and the Monroe Doctrine all provided justification for US intervention in the Caribbean's largest island.In 1898, a conflict between the United States and Spain, in which the U.S. supported the Cubans' fight for independence. Gained the territories of Puerto Rico, Phillipines and Guam
De Lome LetterSpanish Ambassador's letter that was published by American newspapers. It criticized President McKinley in insulting terms. Used by war hawks as a pretext for war in 1898.
Maine a US ship that exploded killing several Americans. U.S. battleship sent to Cuba, it exploded killing 200+ Americans. U.S. thought it was Spain attacking them. This was used as excuse to start war with Spain.
Teller Amendment declared that the US had no intention of taking political control of Cuba and that once peace was restored to the island the Cuban people would control their own government. Legislation that promised the US would not annex Cuba after winning the Spanish-American war.
George Dewey commodore who was ordered to the Philippines. United States naval officer remembered for his victory at Manila Bay in the Spanish-American War.
Theodore Roosevelt 26th president of the U.S. from 1901-09. Leader of Rough Riders. Increased size of Navy, "Great White Fleet". Added Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine. "Big Stick" policy. Received Nobel Peace Prize for mediation of end of Russo-Japanese war. Later arbitrated split of Morocco between Germany and France.
Rough Riders a regiment of volunteers led by Theodore Roosevelt who had resigned his Navy post to take part in the war. Volunteer regiment of US Cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt during the Spanish American War.
Queen Liluokalani Hawaiian monarchwas overthrown aided by American settlers to the island. Became a U.S. territory in 1900 and became the 50th state in 1959
Phillipine annexation was ratified, along with the Treaty of Paris, by an extremely close vote if 57 to 27. Congress and the public at large be became sharply divided into imperialists and anti-imperialists over this annexation.
Emilio Aguinaldo had fought alongside US troops during the Spanish-American War. Leader of the Filipino independence movement against Spain (1895-1898). He proclaimed the independence of the Philippines in 1899, but his movement was crushed and he was captured by the United States Army in 1901.
Anti-Imperialist League led by William Jennings Bryan and rallied opposition to further acts of expansion in the Pacific
Insular Cases also known as island cases; issue about whether the provisions of the US Constitutions apply to whatever territories fell under US control. Determined that inhabitants of U.S. territories had some, but not all, of the rights of U.S. citizens.
Platt Amendment (1901) an amendment attached to an army appropriations bill that required Cuba to agree to certain terms before the US would withdraw its troops. This effectively made Cuba a US protectorate. Legislation that severely restricted Cuba's sovereignty and gave the US the right to intervene in Cuban affairs.
John HaySecretary of State under McKinley and Roosevelt who pioneered the open-door policy.
Spheres of Influence when a country dominates trade and investment within their sphere (a particular port or region of China) and shut out competitors.Areas in which countries have some political and economic control but do not govern directly (ex. Europe and U.S. in China)
Open Door Policy concept where all nations would have equal trading privileges in China. American approach to China around 1900, favoring open trade relations between China and other nations.
Xenophobia the hatred and fear of foreigners.
Boxer Rebellion (1900) a secret society of Chinese nationalist, the society of harmonious fists or boxers, attacked foreign settlements and murdered dozens of Christian missionaries. US troops participated in an international force that marched into Peeking (Beijing) and crushed the rebellion of the boxers.
Big-Stick Policy Roosevelt's (who became president after McKinley was shot) aggressive foreign policy based on his motto to "speak softly, and carry a big stick."A policy enacted by President Roosevelt that encouraged being peaceful in making resolutions but use force if necessary.
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901) a treaty with Great Britain where the British agreed to cancel an earlier treaty of 1850 in which any canal in Central America was to be under the joint British-US control. The US could dig the canal through Panama without British involvement.
Panama Canal a canal started in 1904 and completed in 1914 that connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. What did Columbia have to do with it?
George Goethals chief engineer of the canal and an army colonel.
William GorgasArmy physician who helped eradicate Yellow Fever and Malaria from Panama so work on the Panama Canal could proceed. He eliminated the mosquitoes that spread deadly yellow fever.
Roosevelt CorollaryCorollary to the Monroe Doctrine that meant that the US would send guns to a Latin American country that was delinquent in paying its debts. Over the next 20 years, US presidents used this corollary to justify sending US forces into Haiti, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua resulting in poor US relations with Latin America.
Santo Domingo the capitol of the Dominican Republic
Russo-Japanese War between Russia and Japan (1904-1905) where the US arranged for a diplomatic conference that resulted in the treaty of Portsmouth. The Japanese blamed the US for not giving their country all that they wanted from Russia.
Treaty of Portsmouth treaty between Japan and Russia that resulted from a diplomatic conference held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.This ended the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 mediated by Theodore Roosevelt. President Roosevelt earned a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
Gentlemen's Agreement an informal understanding where the Japanese government secretly agreed to restrict the emigration of Japanese workers to the United States in return for Roosevelt persuading California to repeal its discriminatory laws. The Japanese government agreed to limit immigration of unskilled workers to the United States in exchange for the repeal of discrimination laws in schools.
Great White Fleet Roosevelt sent a fleet of battleships on an around-the-world cruise in 1907-1909.- Roosevelt sent the Navy on a world tour to show the world the U.S. naval power.
Root-Takahira Agreement (1908) an executive agreement between the US's secretary of State Elihu Root and Japanese ambassador Takahira pledging mutual respect for each nation's Pacific possessions and support for the Open Door Policy in China.Japan / U.S. agreement in which both nations agreed to respect each other's territories in the Pacific and to uphold the Open Door policy in China.
Algeciras Conference (1906) conference in Spain that president Roosevelt helped to arrange that settled a conflict between France and Germany over claims to Morocco.
William Howard Taft Roosevelt's successor from 1909 to 1913.27th president of the US, continued progressive reforms of President Theodore Roosevelt; promoted "dollar diplomacy" to expand foreign investments.
Dollar Diplomacy Taft's foreign policy that was mildly expansionist but depended more on investors' dollars than on the navy's battleships.Term used to describe the efforts of the US to further its foreign policy through use of economic power by investing in businesses in Latin America and granting loans to foreign countries.
Nicaragua to protect American investments, the US intervened in Nicaragua's financial affairs in 1911, and sent in Marines when a civil war broke out in 1912.
Henry Cabot Lodge republican senator for Massachusettswho passed the Lodge Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
Lodge Corollary a resolution that stated that non-European powers (such as Japan) would be excluded from owning territory in the western hemisphere. This was to keep Japan from buying land south of California. President Taft opposed the corollary, which also offended Japan and angered Latin American countries.Stated non-European powers would be excluded from owning territory in the Western Hemisphere.
Woodrow Wilson Democratic candidate who became president after Taft.28th President of the United States. Called for a New Freedom in government and promised a moral approach to foreign affairs.
New Freedom Wilson's new policy where he promised a moral approach to foreign affairs. He opposed imperialism and the Big Stick and Dollar Diplomacy policies of his republican predecessor.Woodrow Wilson's domestic policy that, promoted antitrust modification, tariff revision, and reform in banking and currency matters.
Moral Diplomacy Wilson wanted to apply a high moral standard to foreign relations. He and secretary of state William Jennings Bryan hoped to demonstrate that the US respected other nations' rights and would support the spread of democracy. P olicy of condemning imperialism, spreading democracy, and promoting peace
Jones Act (1916) granted full territorial status to the Philippines, guaranteed a bill of rights and universal male suffrage to Filipino citizens and promised Philippine independence as soon as a stable government was established.
Mexican civil war civil war between the military dictatorship of generalVictoriano Huerta and a revolutionary faction. The US aided the revolutionaries with by imposing an arms embargo and a blockade in the port of Vera Cruz.
Victoriano Huerta dictator who sees power in Mexico in 1913 by arranging to assassinate the democratically elected president
Tampico incident several American seamen went ashore at Tampico in 1914 and were arrested by Mexican authorities and released. Huerta refused to apologize and the US navy occupied Vera Cruz. This dispute was settled through joint mediation. An arrest of American sailors by the Mexican government that spurred Woodrow Wilson to dispatch the American navy to seize the port of Vera Cruz in April 1914. Although war was avoided, tensions grew between the US and Mexico.
ABC (Argentina, Brazil, Chile) Powers South American countries that mediated the dispute.
Poncho Villa Huerta fell from power and was replaced by a more democratic regime. The new government was challenged by a band of revolutionaries loyal to poncho Villa. Villa led raids into the US and killed a number of people in Texas and New Mexico. President Wilson sent troops into Mexico to try to find Vila.
Venustrano CarranzaMexican revolutionist and politician; he led forces against Vitoriano Huerta during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920).Leader of the new democratic regime after Huerta.
Expeditionary Force military sent into northern Mexico to capture Poncho Villa.
John Jay Pershing General who headed the expeditionary force.Wilson ordered General Pershing to pursue Pancho Villa into Mexico. They were in northern Mexico for months without being able to capture Villa. Growing possibility of U.S. entry into World War I caused Wilson to withdraw Pershing's troops.