AP U.S.

History

The United States’ “New Imperialism” at the Dawn of the 20th Century

Part I
Please answer the following questions as you watch the “Crash Course” video. A few of the questions require
other links, which I have provided, to find the answers. You can also refer to the PowerPoint titled, “Seizing an
American Empire”, that I posted to Canvas.
American Imperialism: Crash Course History #28

1.​ To what extent is it accurate to call the late 19th – early 20th Century an era of “New Imperialism”?
What evidence supports it and what evidence refutes it?
The late 19th and early 20th centuries countries are named as a "New Imperialism" in that
powerful countries such as the U.S. along with other european nations extended themselves
through political, financial, and military intervention in places like Africa, Asia, and the
Caribbean/Latin America.
2.​ What were the motives for imperialism and why did both European countries and the U.S. begin
to imperialize regions of the world in the late 19th century?
The primary motives for American imperialism were the need for a new market to sell American
made products (China was the biggest), recovery because of the economic depression in 1890s
America which led to increased immigration, crowded cities, and 15000 business failures with
17% unemployment. Europe also faced similar problems, but the main similarity was economic
motives and becoming the biggest and wealthiest empire.

3.​ Contrast the reason for U.S. imperialism given by historians George Herring and Kristen
Hoganson:
Herring argued that US imperialism was because of America’s economic problems and Hoganson
argued that US imperialism was because America wanted to prove their superiority, power, and
“manliness” to the world.

4.​ Briefly explain the argument and impact of the 1890 book The Influence of Sea Power upon
History by Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan:
Mahan's book argues that naval supremacy is crucial for national strength, emphasizing control
of the seas, strategic bases, and maritime commerce. He influenced global naval strategy,
 prompting naval expansions in the U.S., Britain, Germany, and Japan. His ideas fueled an arms
race, shaped U.S. foreign policy, and contributed to imperial rivalries leading up to World War I.
5.​ Who was Josiah Strong? How did his 1885 book Our Country connect to the idea of U.S.
imperialism? Josiah Strong was a Protestant clergyman whose 1885 book Our Country promoted
Anglo-Saxon superiority and the U.S.'s duty to spread Christianity and civilization. His ideas
justified American imperialism by framing expansion as a moral and religious obligation,
influencing policies like the annexation of Hawaii and the Philippines.

6.​ In what ways did the U.S. expand beyond its continental borders prior to 1898?

The U.S. expanded overseas by acquiring Midway Atoll (1867), influencing Hawaii’s overthrow (1893),
and securing Pacific and Caribbean footholds through trade and naval expansion.

7.​ Briefly explain the causes of the Spanish-American War of 1898:

The war began due to the Cuban revolt against Spanish rule and the US told Spain to back off but
they said no even though they knew they would lose.
8.​ What was “Yellow Journalism”, and what role did it play in the outbreak of the
Spanish-American War?
Yellow Journalism used sensationalized news to sway public opinion. It fueled the
Spanish-American War by inciting anti-Spanish sentiment after the Maine explosion.

9.​ What role did Social Darwinism play in shaping the views of Theodore Roosevelt? What was
Roosvelt’s role in the Spanish-American War of 1898?

Social Darwinism influenced Theodore Roosevelt’s belief in national strength, competition, and the
superiority of American civilization. He saw war as a means of proving national and personal vigor. In
the Spanish-American War of 1898, Roosevelt led the Rough Riders in the Battle of San Juan Hill,
gaining national fame for his bravery and leadership..

10.​What was the significance of the Teller Amendment of 1898?

The Teller Amendment of 1898 declared that the U.S. would not annex Cuba after defeating
Spain, ensuring Cuban independence. It was significant because it reassured both the American
public and Cuba that the war was not about imperial conquest.
11.​What were the significant results of a conflict that U.S. Secretary of State John Hay called “a
splendid little war”?
The Spanish-American War of 1898 resulted in the United States defeating Spain and acquiring
territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This victory marked the U.S.'s
emergence as a global power
12.​How did the Platt Amendment of 1901 alter the previous Teller Amendment?

The Platt Amendment of 1901 allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuba's affairs and establish a naval base
at Guantanamo Bay, which contradicted the Teller Amendment’s promise of Cuban independence. It
effectively made Cuba a U.S. protectorate.

13.​How was gaining The Philippines a particularly costly victory?

Gaining the Philippines was costly due to the Philippine-American War that followed, resulting in
thousands of American and Filipino deaths, as well as significant financial expenses. The U.S.
faced fierce resistance from Filipino fighters seeking independence, leading to a prolonged and
brutal conflict.
 14.​The U.S. Constitution doesn’t say anything about taking colonies. How did Congress try to get
around that with the Foraker Act in 1900?

The Foraker Act of 1900 established a civilian government in Puerto Rico and gave the U.S. authority
over the island, while treating it as an unincorporated territory and not a colony

15.​What was the legal status of people living in these acquired foreign colonies such as Puerto Rico
and The Philippines? Were they treated the same as U.S. citizens living in territories within the
continental United States? Why was Hawaii treated differently?
People in territories like Puerto Rico and the Philippines were not granted full U.S. citizenship
and were treated as subjects rather than equals. They had limited rights compared to U.S. citizens
in the continental U.S. Hawaii was treated differently because it was annexed as a state, granting
its residents full citizenship and rights under the U.S. Constitution.
16.​What were the leading arguments of American anti-imperialists?

American anti-imperialists argued that imperialism violated democratic principles, particularly the idea of
self-government, and that it would lead to the oppression of other peoples. They also believed that it would be
costly, both financially and in terms of American lives, and feared it would lead to increased racial tensions.

If you don’t complete Part I during class, you’ll have to complete Part II on your own.

Part II
Step 1: Divide the six regional readings below among the people in your group and then discuss the
readings as complete both sides of the “American Expansionism 1898 to 1920 Notes” hand-out.
Step 2: Identify why the U.S. was interested in each of the six areas on the hand-out.
Step 3: Record evidence of a positive (+) and negative (-) effect of U.S. expansion in each of the six areas.
●​ What did we gain?
●​ Was there a “down-side” from either our or the local perspective?
Step 4: Use evidence from the readings and Part I to complete the back of the hand-out.

Cuba
Puerto Rico
Panama
Hawaii
The Philippines
China