Imperialism / World War I
Student Portfolio
3. Understand how the global position of the United States has evolved as a result of imperialism,
economics, technological changes, and involvement in international wars and conflicts.
a. Analyze the effects of imperialism on the foreign policy of the United States from Reconstruction to World
War I. (DOK 3)
b. Compare and contrast the arguments between the imperialists and anti-imperialists in the late 19th century
and justify why the imperialists prevailed. (DOK 3)
c. Draw conclusions about the causes and effects of American involvement in the world wars. (DOK 3)
d. Analyze the origins and development of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and
their respective allies, including ideology, technology, economics, and geography. (DOK 3)
e. Explain and analyze America‘s role in international organizations, humanitarian relief, and post-war
reconstruction efforts throughout the 20th century. (DOK 3)
2011 Mississippi Social Studies Framework
Academic Vocabulary:
Insurrection
Commodity
Obsolete
Stipulate
tranquil
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conserve
ration
mutual
intervene
emerge
guerrilla
access
tension
Casualty
protestorate
US History SATP Review
Imperialism: 1867 – 1914 Johnson ( Alaska); Cleveland, Harrison, McKinley, T. Roosevelt
Summary: During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the United States pursued an aggressive
policy of expansionism, extending its political and economic influence around the globe. The United States
expanded its role as an imperialistic nation in the 19th century to gain economic benefits. Overseas areas
provided a cheap labor force and plenty of raw natural resources with which to fuel the U.S. economy. They
also provided the U.S. with a valuable market for manufactured goods. That pivotal era in the history made our
nation a dominant country in world affairs.
Key Terms and People
Imperialism Unit
• imperialism – policy by which stronger nations extend their political, economic, and military, control
over weaker territories
• extractive economy – colonial economies based on an imperialist nation extracting or removing raw
materials
• Alfred T. Mahan – naval historian who advocated for naval power as the basis for a great nation; urged
the U.S. to build a modern fleet
• Social Darwinism − belief that Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest should be applied to
societies, justifying imperialism
• Frederick J. Turner – historian who noted the closure of the American frontier; his ideas were used by
others to urge U.S. overseas expansion
• Matthew Perry – U.S. naval commander who sailed a fleet into Tokyo Bay and opened trade with
Japan in 1853
• Queen Liliuokalani – Hawaiian monarch dethroned in 1893 by rebel American planters in an action
backed by U.S. Marines
• José Martí – Cuban patriot who launched a war for independence from Spain in 1895
• William Randolph Hearst – owner of the New York Journal who, along with Joseph Pulitzer of the
New York World, started the Yellow Press
• Yellow Press – sensationalized and exaggerated reporting on Spanish atrocities in Cuba
• jingoism – aggressive nationalism
• George Dewey – commodore of the U.S. squadron that destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay
• Emilio Aguinaldo – leader of Filipino nationalists who defeated the Spanish Army
• Rough Riders – volunteer cavalry unit assembled by Theodore Roosevelt, famous for their 1898 charge
at San Juan Hill
• Treaty of Paris – ended the Spanish-American War and included U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico and
the purchase of the Philippines
• insurrection – a rebellion or revolt
• guerrilla warfare – form of non-traditional warfare, generally by small bands of fighters
• William Howard Taft – future president, appointed governor of the Philippines in 1901
• sphere of influence – zones in China that gave European powers exclusive access to commerce
• John Hay – U.S. Secretary of State who asserted the “Open Door Policy” in China
• Boxer Rebellion – 1900 revolt by secret Chinese societies against outside influences
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Open Door Policy – Secretary of State John Hay’s policy of opposing European colonies and “spheres
of influence” in China
Russo-Japanese War – war launched by Japan in 1904 to remove Russian influence in China; settled
by Theodore Roosevelt in the Treaty of Portsmouth
“Gentlemen’s Agreement” – allowed Japanese children to attend public schools with whites in
California while Japan agreed to limit emigration to the U.S.
Great White Fleet – 1907 world cruise by an armada of U.S. battleships to demonstrate American naval
strength
Foraker Act – established civil government in Puerto Rico with an appointed governor
Platt Amendment – addendum to Cuba’s constitution restricting Cuba’s independence from the United
States
“big stick” diplomacy – Theodore Roosevelt’s approach to international relations that depended on a
strong military to achieve its aims
Panama Canal – waterway dug across Panama to shorten the trip between the Atlantic and the Pacific
Roosevelt Corollary – Roosevelt’s addition to the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the U.S. would
intervene in Latin America in order to prevent European intervention
“dollar diplomacy” – President Taft’s policy to encourage investment rather than use force in Latin
America
“moral diplomacy” – President Wilson’s policy to encourage human rights and opportunity rather than
act in our own self-interest in Latin America
Francisco “Pancho” Villa – Mexican guerrilla and outlaw who eluded capture by General Pershing for
11 months in 1916-1917
WWI: 1914-1918: Woodrow Wilson
Summary: World War I was a watershed moment for America, a time when an isolationist nation involved
itself in world affairs and began the rise to the economic and military power that America is today. After
keeping out of the conflict that had been ravaging Europe for nearly three years, President Woodrow Wilson
took America to war only months after winning an election on the slogan "He Kept us Out of War." Claiming
that American intervention was needed to "make the world safe for democracy," Wilson sent over two million
men to Europe, of whom over 100,000 would never return. World War I marked the end of the old order in
Europe, and the beginning of what has been called the "American Century."
Causes of WWI in Europe-
 Militarism (building up one’s military),
 secret Alliances (forming partnerships in case of war),
 Imperialism (when a powerful country takes control of a smaller one, usually to gain access to natural
resources, cheap labor and new markets),
 Nationalism (pride in one’s country). What set off WWI was the assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian-Hungarian empire.
Allies- US, France, Russia, Italy, Great Britain, Japan,
Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire
New weapons- U-boats (submarines), poison gas, tanks, machine guns, airplanes
Sedition Act and Espionage Act: passed to limit criticism of the U.S. entry into the war.
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Schneck v. U.S. - (1919), was a United States Supreme Court decision that upheld the Espionage Act of
1917 and concluded that a defendant did not have a First Amendment right to express freedom of speech against
the draft during World War I. Ultimately, the case established the "clear and present danger" test, which lasted
until 1969
Lusitania- British ship that was sunk by a German u-boat; 128 Americans died; we were mad but didn’t enter
war yet
Unrestricted submarine warfare- Germany’s practice of sinking ships that aided the Allies. This will prove to
be a major cause of the US entering WWI.
Zimmerman Telegram- letter sent from German official to German official in Mexico asking Mexico to attack
the US if we enter the war; they wanted to pre-occupy us so we couldn’t help the Allies; Mexico would gain
back most of the western US if they cooperated
“to make the world safe for democracy”- Wilson’s justification for asking Congress for a declaration of war.
Selective Service Act- established the draft once the U.S. was involved in WWI.
Woodrow Wilson- elected in 1912 and 1916. Only President to serve during WWI.
Liberty bonds and victory gardens (war propaganda)- people bought war bonds (allowed the govt to borrow
money) and planted their own gardens to help conserve food for the troops
Hoover and the Food Administration: encouraged the American public to conserve food in order to ensure
their was enough food for the troops. (meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays)
armistice- a cease-fire when both sides agree to stop fighting; signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th
month- Nov. 11, 1918 (now is celebrated as Veteran’s Day)
Fourteen Points- Wilson’s peace plan after WWI; only achieved one point- the 14th point
League of Nations- Wilson’s 14th point which established a world-wide peace keeping body.
Treaty of Versailles- ended the war and established the League of Nations (without the US); punished
Germany harshly; Germany had to pay billions in war reparations and had to admit full guilt; Germany and
other Axis powers lost land; new countries were formed; this treaty helped bring about WWII (The U.S. didn’t
sign the Treaty of Versailles because it would mean joining the League of Nations and an attack on one
member would be considered an attack on all.)
Bolshevik Revolution- resulted in the emergence of a communist Russia.
Isolationism- US belief that we needed to stay out of world affairs after WWI. This would be the center of our
foreign policy for the next 20 years.
*Great Migration (1910-1940) - mass movement of African Americans from the south to the north in search
of jobs. They hoped for a better way of life. (African Americans, and women helped fill the void in the
factories, when many men were drafted and sent to Europe)
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Quotes:
Figure 1
“And shall our country let it pass, this deed of foul intent? And shall our country dare believe it was an
accident?.... Come arm, we all; let us teach a lesson to bold Spain. We will avenge, by more than speech the
destruction of the Maine!”
H.W. Petrie, lyrics from “The Wreck of the Maine”, 1898
1. What event is the author referring to?
2. What is the purpose of this song/jingle?
3. What impact will this song/jingle have on society?
Figure 2
"Speak softly and carry a big stick."
Theodore Roosevelt, 1909
1. This quote was written during what time period in the U.S.?
2. The Quote is actually an African Proverb. Theodore used it to describe his intentions for what part of the
world?
3. This type of philosophy impacted American history in what ways?
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Figure 3
The diplomacy of the present administration …. has been characterized as
substituting dollars for bullets. … It is a policy frankly directed to the increase
of American trade upon the axiomatic principal that the government of the
United States shall extend all proper to every legitimate and beneficial
American enterprise abroad.”
President William Howard Taft, 1912
1. What does figure 2 discuss? What is he saying his administration will do by substituting “dollars for
bullets”?
2. What is the significance? What is the implied expectation from the countries we give “dollars” to?
3. What other events are directly connected to these figures?
“The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such
circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that
they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has the right to prevent. “
Schenck v. U.S. 1919
1. What is the document above?
2. What is significant about the document?
3. What other laws or events are associated to this document?
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Activity 1. Use your knowledge of US History to cite and analyze each figure. Then answer
the corresponding questions.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Primary Source
“Today we are raising more than we can consume. Today we are making more than we can use………Therefore
we must find new markets for our produce, new occupation for our capital, new work for our labor.”
--Senator Albert J. Beveridge,
“The March of the Flag”
1898
Figure 3
Primary Source
“We could not leave them to themselves they were unfit for self- government, and they would soon have
anarchy and misrule worse that Spain was….there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all and to
educate the Filipinos and uplift and civilize and Christianize them.”
-President William McKinley
Figure 4
1. What does each figure represent? What is the significance of each?
2. How did each figure influence Americans to play a more active role in the world?
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Activity 2. Analyze and cite the effect each represents in American Imperialism. Cite
terms that correspond with each effect.
Effects of American Imperialism
Define Effect / Significance
Terms
Alaska
Hawaii
Commodore
Perry’s mission
to Japan
Puerto Rico
and Guam
Philippines
Spanish
American War
Cuba
China
Panama Canal
Open Door
Policy
Great White
Fleet
1.
How were the Open Door Policy and Commodore
Perry’s mission to Japan similar yet different in terms Open Door Policy of US goals and actions?
2.
Explain the different opinions held by imperialists and
anti-imperialist in the debate over the Philippines.
3.
What were some of the difficulties America faced in
maintaining good relations with Japan?
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Activity 3. Analyze the chart and answer the corresponding questions.
Figure 5
Big Stick



Latin American Foreign Policies Early 1900s
Dollar


illiam Howard Taft


B

ased on the belief that
the US needed to civilize
weaker nations.

alled for prominent
American businessmen
and politicians to lead
internationally
Moral
W
oodrow Wilson
id not promote conquest


C

sed military intervention to
influence other nations’
policies. S
ometimes fell back on
military intervention.
1.
Which diplomatic style most promoted military
action?
What was one result of “moral diplomacy”?
Imperialists gained power in the government.
Latin American countries were completely freed from
2.
a.
b.
American intervention.
c.
d.
American imperialism and conquest decreased/
Military strength developed under Roosevelt and Taft
diminished under moral diplomacy.
3.
a. Which Latin American policy is depicted in each
cartoon? Cite the evidence.
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Figure 6
b. What is the significance of arbitration? What kind of power does it give the U.S.?
c. What was the impact of U.S. imperialism in Latin America?
4. a. What concept is being depicted in the figure7?
b. What is the significance of all the flags?(What will America gain by them) list three.
c. What impact will imperialism have on the world? Name two positive and one negative aspect?
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Figure 7
Activity 5. Analyze the following figures and answer the corresponding questions.
Figure 8
1.
According to the chart, which country had the
largest army in 1914?
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2.
Which had the largest navy?
3.
What caused WWI, and why did the US enter
the war?
4.
How did WWI affect Americans at home?
5.
How did Americans affect the end of WW1 and
its peace settlements?
6.
What was the main goal Wilson wanted to
accomplish with the Fourteen Points?
Figure 9
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7.
How did the new technologies depicted in
figure 9 affect WWI?
Figure 10
8.
Cite the push and pull factors that led to the
migration patterns depicted in Figure 10?
Activity 6. Primary Document Analysis
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1. What is the title of the newspaper article? What news is it giving the people?
2. What was significant about this article?
3. What impact did the facts in the article have on U.S. History?
Activity 7. Cite and analyze figures. Answer 3 questions about each figure.
1.
What does this figure represent?
2.
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What is its significance/impact?
3.
Figure 11
Figure 12
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What is time period?
Figure 13
Figure 14
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Figure 15
Figure 16
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Activity 8. Analyze and cite what each Figure represents. Answer corresponding questions.
Figure 17
Figure 18
Figure 19
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Directions : For each image answer the following Questions
1. What does figure represent?
2. What is significance/impact?
3. How did this affect American culture?
4. What was outcome?
5. What was the long term effect?
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