1. Imperialism Notecards

2. Imperialism  The act of expanding to gain more land and power.  Done by the US before WWI as a way to expand their power and control and to be able to trade their goods with other countries.  The act of expanding to gain more land and power.  Done by the US before WWI as a way to expand their power and control and to be able to trade their goods with other countries.

3. Racial Superiority  The belief that one race is better than another.  This idea inspired imperialism in the US because people wanted to take over and control lands that were considered inferior (lesser).  The belief that one race is better than another.  This idea inspired imperialism in the US because people wanted to take over and control lands that were considered inferior (lesser).

4. Annexation  When another country takes over a territory and incorporates it into their own land.  The US annexed Hawaii because they wanted control of their sugar and they had a good location in the Pacific Ocean that could serve as a military base (Pearl Harbor). They were annexed in 1898, became a state in 1959.  When another country takes over a territory and incorporates it into their own land.  The US annexed Hawaii because they wanted control of their sugar and they had a good location in the Pacific Ocean that could serve as a military base (Pearl Harbor). They were annexed in 1898, became a state in 1959.

5. Overproduction  When a country makes more of a certain good then they can sell.  Caused the United States to expand (imperialism) and look for new markets because they wanted to find other countries to trade their goods with.  When a country makes more of a certain good then they can sell.  Caused the United States to expand (imperialism) and look for new markets because they wanted to find other countries to trade their goods with.

6. Spanish-American War  War between Spain and the US. Spain was fighting to keep control of Cuba while the US was helping Cuba win their independence.  The war was really a competition between US and Spain for power and control. It showed that the major world powers were competing for land and power.  War between Spain and the US. Spain was fighting to keep control of Cuba while the US was helping Cuba win their independence.  The war was really a competition between US and Spain for power and control. It showed that the major world powers were competing for land and power.

7. Yellow Journalism  When journalist exaggerate news stories in order to attract readers.  Done by journalists during the Spanish- American war in order to convince Americans to support the war.  When journalist exaggerate news stories in order to attract readers.  Done by journalists during the Spanish- American war in order to convince Americans to support the war.

8. Rough Riders  Volunteer Calvary Unit commanded by Teddy Roosevelt that served in the Spanish-American war.  They won battles and returned to the US as war heroes. This helped to propel TR into popularity.  Volunteer Calvary Unit commanded by Teddy Roosevelt that served in the Spanish-American war.  They won battles and returned to the US as war heroes. This helped to propel TR into popularity.

9. U.S.S. Maine  US battleship that was sunk killing 260 Americans, started the Spanish- American war.  Yellow Journalists used the event to gather support for the war but blaming the explosion on the Spanish.  US battleship that was sunk killing 260 Americans, started the Spanish- American war.  Yellow Journalists used the event to gather support for the war but blaming the explosion on the Spanish.

10. Theodore Roosevelt  Became President after McKinley was assassinated in 1901.  He wanted to make sure that US became a world power and did not fall behind other countries.  He was very enthusiastic, athletic and devoted to promoting US interests peacefully.  Became President after McKinley was assassinated in 1901.  He wanted to make sure that US became a world power and did not fall behind other countries.  He was very enthusiastic, athletic and devoted to promoting US interests peacefully.

11. Panama Canal  US wanted to build the canal so that ships carrying goods could easily pass through Central America instead of sailing around. Help boost US economy.  Construction was difficult and many people died, US had to pay Panama $10 Million plus an annual rent. After 2000 Panama regained control of the canal.  US wanted to build the canal so that ships carrying goods could easily pass through Central America instead of sailing around. Help boost US economy.  Construction was difficult and many people died, US had to pay Panama $10 Million plus an annual rent. After 2000 Panama regained control of the canal.

12. Dollar Diplomacy  Policy followed by the Taft Administration (Federal Government controlled by President Taft) where the US would support loans made to foreign countries by businessmen.  Done as a way to financially support these other countries and keep European countries from coming in and taking control.  Policy followed by the Taft Administration (Federal Government controlled by President Taft) where the US would support loans made to foreign countries by businessmen.  Done as a way to financially support these other countries and keep European countries from coming in and taking control.

13. Roosevelt Corollary  Added to the Monroe Doctrine and allowed the US to intervene in Latin American countries in order to protect the economic interests of the US.  Really was a way to ensure that the US did not lose power over Latin American countries to other European powers such as Spain, England or France.  Added to the Monroe Doctrine and allowed the US to intervene in Latin American countries in order to protect the economic interests of the US.  Really was a way to ensure that the US did not lose power over Latin American countries to other European powers such as Spain, England or France.

14. Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick  Famous quote by Teddy Roosevelt. Said in reference to diplomacy at the time and how the US should treat smaller countries.  Means that we should be peaceful (speak softly) but should not be afraid to step in and fight for the US’s interests (carry a big stick).  Famous quote by Teddy Roosevelt. Said in reference to diplomacy at the time and how the US should treat smaller countries.  Means that we should be peaceful (speak softly) but should not be afraid to step in and fight for the US’s interests (carry a big stick).

15. Diplomacy  Activity or skill in dealing with foreign countries in an effective and sensitive manner.  If someone is “diplomatic” it means that they are able to deal with other people or other countries in a sensitive way without making others angry or defensive.  Activity or skill in dealing with foreign countries in an effective and sensitive manner.  If someone is “diplomatic” it means that they are able to deal with other people or other countries in a sensitive way without making others angry or defensive.