US History - American Imperialism

Alfred T. Mahan argued:

• to become an empire, the US needed to acquire naval bases and strengthen its naval power
• the burden of the white man is to support and uplift non-whites
• imperialism was not democratic and engaging in it would be hypocritical
• the nation's economic needs could be satisfied from within as the US should avoid risking itself in foreign entanglements

The USA purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867. How much did the American government pay for the territory?

• $25,000

• $7.2 Million

• $900 Million

• It was basically free because we won the war fought over it.

Which of the following is a true statement about the annexation of Hawaii

• The president wanted Hawaii to be independent 

• Most Hawaiians wanted to become a state 

• The President and Senate pushed through annexations despite it being unpopular

• Annexation of Hawaii was a national priority for many Americans as fear of a Japanese invasion was a real possibility

What was the strength of the Teller Amendment?

• Showed that the USA would not annex Cuba

• Showed that the USA went to war for humanitarian reasons

• Showed that the USA would not annex Puerto Rico

• Showed that the USA would intervene in Cuba at any time

Which of the following is NOT a cause of the Spanish American War?

• Spreading of Democratic ideals

• Yellow Journalism and Jingo

• Cuban Revolution and atrocities

• Fear that the USA was about to be conquered

What was a major outcome of the Spanish American War?

• The USA declared war on Europe

• The USA was now a world power

• The USA gained new technologies from Spain

• The USA finally had a foothold in Asia

Yellow Journalists were:

• writers who exposed period problems in hopes of achieving reform

• newspaper reporters and illustrators who exaggerated stories in order to sell newspapers and fuel a war with Spain

• writers who wrote in yellow to bring attention to Spanish abuses

• writers who opposed American imperialism and aimed to keep America neutral

Which of the following was a result of the USA takeover of the Philippines?

• The USA annexed the Philippians

• The USA had no plan which led to a revolt by the Filipinos

• American businesses took over the islands

• Filipino leaders worked with the USA to become a state

What impact did Radical Republicans in Congress have on Reconstruction?

• They opposed the passage of the 14th am

• They encouraged the freemen to exercise their new political rights

• They persuaded President Johnson to pardon former Confederate leaders

• They prevented President Johnson from sending federal troops to the South

The excerpt is from William Jennings Bryan's Speech at the Democratic Convention in 1896. Based on this speech, what did Bryan demand in his subsequent campaign for the Presidency?

• The acquisition of colonies to increase employment opportunities

• The creation of national parks system to protect the nation's wildlife

• A policy of bimetallism that would help farmers by raising crop prices

• Higher tariffs to protect American manufactures from foreign competition