Key Historical Concepts and Terms

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Yellow Journalism

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A style of newspaper reporting that emphasized sensationalism over facts.

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Expansionism/ Imperialism

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The policies and practices of invading foreign lands to expand territory, political influence, or ideology.

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Spheres of Influence

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A zone of a country/territory in which each foreign power has exclusive access to Chinese ports and markets, a region dominated and controlled by an outside power.

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Sovereign Nation

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A country that is independent and not under the control of any other nation.

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Panama Canal

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A waterway in Central America that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It allows ships to pass through instead of traveling around South America, saving time and making trade between the oceans faster and easier.

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Naval Power

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The ability of a country to dominate and control ocean areas. Countries with power over the seas could control important shipping routes, engage in trade, and protect themselves from enemies by controlling who can travel or transport goods across the ocean.

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Big Stick Diplomacy

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A foreign policy approach used by President Theodore Roosevelt. The idea was to negotiate peacefully with other countries but always have a strong military ready in case things didn’t go well.

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Territory

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A region or area that belongs to a country but is not a state. It is controlled and governed by the country, but people living there might not have all the same rights as citizens in the main part of the country.

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Self-Determination

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The right of a people or nation to choose their own form of government.

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Freedom of the Seas

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The idea that nations should be able to freely sail all oceans for trade without the threat of attack.