CHAPTER 21
READING GUIDE AND REVIEW
AMERICAN IMPERIALISM 1867-1902
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Analyze how and why United States territorial expansion in the 1890’s differed from the
nation’s earlier expansionist moves.
2. Explain the economic, strategic, and intellectual factors sparking American interest in
overseas expansion in the latter 19 th century.
3. Illustrate how the United States reasserted the Monroe Doctrine and promoted PanAmerican interests during this era.
4. List the territories acquired by the United States during this era and explain the various
processes of acquisition.
5. Describe the causes, major events, and consequences of the Spanish-American war.
6. List and explain the factors contributing to the growth of American newspapers in the
1890’s, noting especially the popularity of “yellow journalism”.
7. Evaluate the treatment and performance of African-American soldiers during the S-A War.
8. Contrast the arguments offered for and against ratification of the treaty ending the S-A War
providing for American colonies.
9. Describe the causes, course, and consequences of the Philippine-American War (18991902).
10. Evaluate the performance of President McKinley in resolving international problems.
11. Describe the processes by which civil government was established in American territories.
12. Explain the origin and purpose of the Open Door Policy in China.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What factors of the latter 19th century contributed to an increasing interest by Americans in
events abroad, preparing them for a larger role in the world?
2. Discuss the underlying as well as the immediate causes of the S-A War. Why did Secretary
of Sate Hay refer to the conflict as a “splendid little war”?
3. Detail the arguments presented by American anti-imperialists against ratification of the
Treaty of Paris in 1898-1899. Why did they fail?
4. The author notes that “historians rarely write of the Philippine-American War.” Speculate on
why this is so. Does the Philippine-American War seem similar to any other American war?
Explain.
5. Did the United States Constitution “follow the flag” into American territories? Did Cuba win
her independence following the S-A War?
6. Explain the concept of the Open Door policy in China. Would it prove to be a successful
policy for the U.S.?
7. What were the key arguments for and against U.S. imperialism? Who were each side’s
main key players?
8. How was U.S. overseas imperialism in 1898 similar to and different from earlier American
expansion across North America, or “Manifest Destiny”? Was this “new imperialism” a
departure from America’s traditions, or simply a further extension of “westward migration”?
SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE
Alfred Thayer Mahan
Richard Olney
George Dewey
Joseph Pulitzer
William Howard Taft
William Seward
Dupuy de Lome
James G. Blaine
Emilio Aguinaldo
Frederick Remington
Josiah Strong
Valeriano Weyler
Theodore Roosevelt
William Randolph Hearst
Queen Lilioukalani
Henry Cabot Lodge
IMPORTANT TERMS AND EVENTS
Imperialism
Teller Amendment
“yellow journalism”
Battle of San Juan Hill
Insular cases
Treaty of Paris
Boxer Rebellion
Pan-American Conference
Venezuelan Border dispute
“Spendid little war”
McKinley Tariff
Anti-Imperialist League
Foraker Act
Monroe Doctrine
U.S.S. Maine
De Lome Letter
Rough Riders
“Seward’s Folly”
Our Country
Open Door Policy
FOREIGN POLICY OF FOLLOWING PRESIDENTS:
Grover Cleveland
Theodore Roosevelt (thru 1902)
William McKinley
CHAPTER 21 QUIZ
FEB. 6 & FEB. 7
BONUS: 5 POINTS ON GILDED AGE UNIT EXAM
Draw a political cartoon of the Spanish-American War, Teddy Roosevelt, or any other significant
event or person from the chapter.
There should be a total of 3 cartoons. Cartoons must provide political satire.