U.S. Imperialism and Expansionism

The period of "New Imperialism" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was primarily characterized by which of the following?

• European and American powers establishing settler colonies, completely displacing native populations.

• European powers expanding their influence and colonizing territories in Asia and Africa.

• The United States acquiring all its territory within its continental boundaries for the first time.

• A global movement towards decolonization and self-determination for indigenous peoples.

A significant economic reason for the United States to pursue imperialism in the late 19th century was the need for:

• New markets to sell raw materials to.

• Places to sell its increasing volume of manufactured goods.

• Access to cheap labor for its agricultural sector.

• Financial aid from other imperial powers.

Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's book, "The Influence of Sea Power upon History," argued that for a nation to be a great power, it needed to:

• Develop a strong agricultural economy.

• Control the seas and dominate international commerce.

• Form strong alliances with land-based empires.

• Focus solely on internal industrial development.

The United States' obsession with building a canal through Central America was primarily driven by the desire to:

• Facilitate the spread of American culture and values.

• Create new job opportunities for American workers.

• Enhance its maritime power and international trade routes.

• Gain access to new agricultural lands.

The annexation of Hawaii by the United States was influenced by its strategic location for a naval base and the economic importance of which two products?

• Coffee and tobacco.

• Rubber and spices.

• Pineapples and sugar.

• Cotton and indigo.

What were the primary reasons President McKinley officially stated for the United States going to war?

• To gain new territories and expand the American empire.

• To protect American economic interests and ensure peace of mind.

• To spread democracy and freedom to oppressed nations.

• To retaliate for the sinking of the USS Maine.

What was the main purpose of the Teller Amendment, passed by Congress before the war?

• To declare war on Spain.

• To ensure the United States would annex Cuba after the war.

• To prevent the United States from annexing Cuba.

• To establish a naval base in Cuba.

What is the most widely accepted historical explanation for the sinking of the USS Maine?

• A Spanish torpedo attack.

• An internal explosion on the ship.

• A Cuban rebel attack.

• A collision with another vessel.

Which of the following territories did the United States acquire as a result of the war, primarily to gain access to Asian markets?

• Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

• The Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii.

• Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cuba.

• Hawaii, Cuba, and the Philippines.

What was the main impact of the Foraker Act of 1900 on Puerto Rico?

• It granted Puerto Rico immediate statehood.

• It made Puerto Ricans full U.S. citizens with voting rights in federal elections.

• It established Puerto Rico as an insular territory with its own government but no path to statehood.

• It declared Puerto Rico an independent nation.