Chapter 10 – America Claims an Empire
Chapter Objective: To understand how individuals and events moved the United States into the role of a world power
and to recognize the effects of economic policies on U.S. diplomacy.
Section 1: Imperialism and America
Main Idea: Beginning in 1867 and continuing through the century, global competition caused the United States to expand.
Objective: Explain the economic and cultural factors that fueled the growth of American imperialism.
Questions:
1. What is a policy of imperialism?
2. What were the major factors that contributed to the growth of American imperialism?
Objective: Describe how the United States acquired Alaska. Summarize how the United States took over the
Hawaiian Islands.
Questions:
3. Why was the purchase of Alaska significant?
4. What groups were interested in increasing America’s presence in Hawaii? Why?
5. How did Hawaii eventually come under the control of the United States?
Section 2: The Spanish-American War
Main Idea: In 1898, the Untied States went to war to help Cuba win its independence from Spain.
Objective: Contrast American opinions regarding the Cuban revolt against Spain.
Questions:
6. Why did some Americans have a strong economic interest in Cuba?
7. Why did some Americans support Spanish control of Cuba, while others sympathized with the rebels?
Objective: Identify events that escalated the conflict between the United States and Spain.
Questions:
8. How did the Spanish react to the uprising in Cuba?
9. What factors helped to arouse American feelings of animosity toward Spain?
Objective: Trace the course of the Spanish-American War and its results.
Questions:
10. Where was the Spanish-American war fought?
11. What were the consequences of the war for Spain and the United States?
12. Why did the Treaty of Paris cause such debate among Americans?
Section 3: Acquiring New Lands
Main Idea: In the early 1900s, the United States engaged in conflicts in Puerto Rice, Cuba, and the Philippines.
Objective: Describe U.S. involvement in Puerto Rico and in Cuba.
Questions:
13. What was the significance of the Foraker Act?
14. How did the Platt Amendment create an American sphere of influence in Cuba?
15. Why did the United States wish to attain a strong influence in Cuba?
Objective: Identify causes and effects of the Philippine-American War.
Questions:
16. Why did many Filipinos feel betrayed by the United States?
17. How was the Philippine-American War a costly one for both the Philippines and the United States?
Objective: Explain the purpose of the Open Door Policy in China.
Questions:
18. Why did the Western powers seek to establish spheres of influence in China?
19. What were the Open Door notes?
20. What were causes and consequences of the Boxer Rebellion?
Objective: Summarize the views regarding American imperialism.
Questions:
21. What did the reelection of William McKinley seem to indicate about the American public’s view of imperialism?
22. What view of imperialism did supports of the Anti-Imperialism League take?
Section 4: America as a World Power
Main Idea: The Russo-Japanese War, the Panama Canal, and the Mexican Revolution added to America’s military and economic
power.
Objective: Explain how Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy promoted American power around the world.
Questions:
23. What role did President Roosevelt play in ending the Russo-Japanese War?
24. What events led to the building of the Panama Canal?
25. What did the Roosevelt Corollary state?
26. What was dollar diplomacy?
Objective: Describe how Woodrow Wilson’s missionary diplomacy ensured U.S. dominance in Latin America.
Questions:
27. What was Woodrow Wilson’s “missionary diplomacy”?
28. Why did the United States become involved in the affairs of Mexico?