Unit 5- Reading Guide 1
Vocab: Define each of the following terms
Imperialism
Alfred T. Mahan
William Seward
Pearl Harbor
Queen Liliuokalani
Sanford. B. Dole
Anti-Imperialist League
Jose Marti
Valeriano Weyler
Name_________________________
Yellow journalism
The DeLome Letter
U.S.S. Maine
George Dewey
Rough Riders
San Juan Hill
Treaty of Paris (1898)
Platt Amendment
Guided Reading Questions: Provide comprehensive answers, in complete
sentences, to each of the following questions.
1. Explain each of the three factors that fueled American imperialism.
2. From which country did we acquire Alaska? Despite being called “Seward’s
Folly” and “Seward’s Icebox,” why would Alaska be important for the U.S.?
3. Explain Hawaii’s strategic importance for the U.S. since the 1790s. How did
American tariff policy affect our relationship with Hawaii?
4. Explain how U.S. business leaders strong-armed the Hawaiian king, and how
his successor, Queen Liliuokalani, responded. What prompted the U.S.
government to participate in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian
government?
5. What happened with Hawaii between 1893 and 1898? On what date was
Hawaii proclaimed an American territory? (*Remember this date for later!)
6. From the section “Support and Opposition to American Imperialism,” explain
why American businessmen supported U.S. imperialism. Who were some
prominent anti-imperialists? Why do you think they opposed U.S.
imperialism?
7. What interests did Americans have in Cuba, from the 1850s through 1895?
How did Gen. Valeriano Weylar respond to the renewed Cuban revolt?
8. Explain the role U.S. newspapers moguls played in the calls for war against
Spain. What was their real interest? Be sure to include how newspapers
reported Spanish “atrocities.”
9. What happened on February 15, 1898? What were the results of the two
investigations? What role did “yellow press sensationalism” play in public
opinion?
10. What factors played into President McKinley’s decision to ask Congress for a
declaration of war against Spain? When was that declaration made?
11. Where did the first battles of the Spanish American take place? Who led the
Americans? What was the underlying motive for this attack? Who helped us?
When did this theatre of war conclude?
12. What challenges did the U.S. forces face heading into war in the Caribbean?
When did the attack begin? What islands did we attack?
13. When did Spain surrender in the Caribbean? What territories did the U.S.
gain in the Treaty of Paris?
14. The Treaty of Paris sparked heated debate in the United States. What issue
did much of the debate center around? Why did McKinley ultimately choose
annexation? What arguments against annexation did anti-imperialists make?
15. When did Congress approve the Treaty of Paris? What role did American
troops play in occupying Cuba? Be sure you have a comprehensive definition
of the Platt Amendment in you vocab terms.