Imperialism: Debates - AP U.S. History

Identify the policy that aimed to ensure equal trading rights in China.

The Open Door Policy. Prevented any single nation from monopolizing Chinese markets through 'spheres of influence.'
Which war demonstrated the United States' emerging imperial power in the early 20th century?

The Philippine-American War. Brutal conflict showed American willingness to use force to maintain colonial control.
Which event marked the beginning of American imperialism?

The Spanish-American War in 1898. Victory over Spain made the U.S. a colonial power with overseas territories.
Which American naval officer advocated for a strong navy to support imperialism?

Alfred Thayer Mahan. His book 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History' promoted naval expansion.
What was a primary economic argument against imperialism?

It drained resources and increased military expenses. Anti-imperialists argued colonial administration was expensive and economically wasteful.
Which treaty granted the U.S. control over the Panama Canal Zone?

The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty. Secured American rights to build and operate the Panama Canal.
Identify a resource-driven factor that fueled imperialism.

The demand for rubber and oil. Industrial nations sought control over regions rich in strategic raw materials.
Identify one cultural justification for imperialism.

The spread of Christianity. Missionaries argued imperial expansion would facilitate conversion of non-Christian peoples.
Name one territory acquired by the United States following the Spanish-American War.

Puerto Rico. Acquired along with Guam and the Philippines as spoils of Spanish defeat.
Define 'White Man's Burden' in the context of imperialism.

The idea that Westerners had a duty to civilize and modernize non-Western societies. Kipling's poem justified imperialism as a moral obligation to civilize non-Western peoples.
Which principle justified U.S. intervention in Latin American affairs?

The Roosevelt Corollary. 1904 policy claimed U.S. authority to intervene in Western Hemisphere to prevent European involvement.
Which concept promoted the idea of the U.S. as a global police power?

The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Declared American right to intervene in Latin America to maintain regional stability.
Which amendment is associated with U.S. intervention in Cuba?

The Platt Amendment. 1901 amendment to Cuban constitution allowed U.S. intervention and naval bases.
Which ideology justified imperialism by claiming racial superiority?

Social Darwinism. Applied Darwin's evolutionary theory to justify racial hierarchy and imperial dominance.
Name one notable anti-imperialist argument regarding American values.

Imperialism contradicts democratic principles and self-determination. Argued that ruling others without consent violated American founding principles.
Identify one major consequence of U.S. imperialism in the Philippines.

The Philippine-American War resulted in significant Filipino casualties. Guerrilla warfare led to estimated 200,000+ Filipino deaths from violence and disease.
What was a key military advantage sought through imperialism?

Strategic naval bases and coaling stations. Overseas bases facilitated global naval operations and power projection.
Which treaty ended the Russo-Japanese War with U.S. mediation?

The Treaty of Portsmouth. Roosevelt mediated the 1905 agreement, demonstrating American diplomatic influence in Asia.
Identify one key economic motive for imperialism.

Access to raw materials and new markets. Colonies provided cheap resources and served as markets for manufactured goods.
Which president is associated with the 'Big Stick' foreign policy?

Theodore Roosevelt. 'Speak softly and carry a big stick' emphasized diplomatic negotiation backed by military strength.
Which doctrine established U.S. opposition to European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere?

The Monroe Doctrine. 1823 declaration warned European powers against further colonization in the Americas.
Identify one cultural impact of imperialism on colonized societies.

The spread of Western education and language. Colonial powers imposed their languages and educational systems on native populations.
What was the impact of the 'Great White Fleet' on imperialism?

It demonstrated U.S. naval power globally. 1907-1909 naval tour showcased American military strength to the world.
What was the Boxer Rebellion, and how did it relate to imperialism?

An anti-foreign uprising in China, suppressed by imperial powers. International forces, including Americans, crushed Chinese resistance to foreign influence.
Name one economic benefit often cited by imperialists.

Increased trade opportunities. Imperialists claimed colonies would expand markets for American manufactured goods.
Name one method by which imperialists justified territorial expansion.

The belief in Manifest Destiny. Extended the concept of westward expansion to justify overseas territorial acquisition.
What was the primary goal of the Anti-Imperialist League?

To oppose the annexation of territories and imperialist policies. Founded in 1898 to resist American territorial expansion after the Spanish-American War.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Paris (1898)?

It ended the Spanish-American War and ceded territories like the Philippines to the U.S. Established the U.S. as a colonial power with control over former Spanish territories.
Identify one technological advancement that facilitated imperialism.

Steam-powered ships. Faster transportation enabled rapid deployment of troops and supplies to distant territories.
What is the Monroe Doctrine's relation to imperialism?

It opposed European colonialism in the Americas, later expanded to justify U.S. intervention. Roosevelt Corollary transformed it from opposing European intervention to justifying American intervention.
Name one reason the Anti-Imperialist League opposed annexation.

Moral and constitutional objections to ruling over others without consent. Argued that governing people without their consent violated democratic and constitutional principles.
What role did the press play in promoting imperialism?

Yellow journalism exaggerated events to rally public support. Sensationalized reporting, especially about Spanish atrocities, inflamed public opinion for war.
Name a prominent anti-imperialist leader in the United States.

Mark Twain. Led the Anti-Imperialist League and criticized U.S. expansion as hypocritical.
Name a significant anti-imperialist publication or speech.

Mark Twain's 'To the Person Sitting in Darkness.'. Satirical essay exposing the hypocrisy of American imperial civilizing missions.
Which event highlighted the U.S. presence in Latin America?

The construction of the Panama Canal. Roosevelt's support for Panamanian independence secured canal construction rights.
Identify a major argument used by imperialists to support expansion.

The belief in the civilizing mission to spread Western values. Claimed moral duty to bring Western civilization and democracy to 'backward' peoples.
What is the definition of imperialism in the historical context?

Imperialism is the policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Extension involves direct control over territories or indirect influence through economic and political means.
Which writer criticized imperialism through satirical literature?

Mark Twain. Famous for satirical anti-imperial essays like 'To the Person Sitting in Darkness.'
What was the primary focus of the 'Scramble for Africa'?

European powers competing for African territories. Late 19th-century rush to colonize Africa before rivals could claim territories.

Study these flashcards