Unit 4: Concept Checkpoint #1 & 2 (Imperialism, SAW, + Others)

What is imperialism?

• The policy of stronger nations extending their power over weaker ones

• Period of change in which the United States transformed from an agrarian society (farm) to urban society

• Attempted to restore economic opportunities and correct injustices in American life

• When weaker countries would struggle and become extinct

Match the following causes of imperialism

• Compete with Europe; big navy

• Manifest Destiny

• US superior to others

• Social

• US needs new markets, $$$

• Economic

• Belief the US's destiny to expand world

• Political

Select FOUR reasons as to why the US wanted to imperialize during this time period

• US felt they were superior to others

• To gain new economic markets & goods

• US was trying to prepare for World War I

• Because the US felt like it was destiny to expand the rest of the world

• To create a stronger navy

Select TWO reasons why the US had interest in Cuba

• Cuba had sugar

• Cuba had declared war on Canada

• Cuba was FAR away from the US

• Cuba was communist

• Cuba was close to the US

Select the THREE causes of the Spanish American War

• Zimmermann Telegram

• De Lome Letter

• Yellow Journalism

• Unrestricted submarine warfare

• Sinking of the USS Maine

What is yellow journalism?

• Type of writing that is very old so the paper turns yellow

• Style of writing that is very truthful about events

• Style of writing that uses exaggeration to lure in & enrage readers

• Type of journalism that is able to accurately describe what happened

What is the De Lome Letter?

• A style of writing that used exaggeration to lure in and enrage readers

• Official letter that declared war with Cuba

• Sent from Germany to Mexico, asking them to come into WWI with a promise to help them gain “lost territory in the U.S.”

• A leaked letter from a Spanish diplomat stating how “weak” President McKinley was which angered Americans

What happened to the USS Maine?

• Decommissioned before the war started and then hit a iceberg

• Exploded in Havana Harbor, leading to the Spanish-American War.

• Cargo ship that never saw combat

• Sunk by a storm in 1898.

Who did the US blame for the explosion on the USS Maine?

• Germany
• Spain
• Cuba
• France

Why did the US decide to attack the Philippines instead of Cuba?

• It was closer to the US, making it easier to attack

• It was the agreed battle ground between the Spanish & Americans

• It was surprise the Spanish & far away from the US

• It had owned Cuba