WorksheetsAmerican Imperialism
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
Which term best describes a policy where a stronger nation extends control over weaker territories for economic or strategic gain?
Domestic governance priorities
Neutrality in foreign disputes
Imperialism over weaker territories
Isolation from global affairs
What does annexation mean in the context of U.S. expansion in the late 1800s?
Trading ports with another nation
Renting land for temporary use
Protecting borders without expansion
Acquiring territory and adding it to a country
The Monroe Doctrine primarily aimed to do what regarding the Western Hemisphere?
Invite European colonization efforts
Encourage European trade wars
Discourage new European interference
Support European alliances
Why was the purchase of Alaska nicknamed “Seward’s Folly” or the “Icebox”?
Many believed Alaska was worthless tundra
Many feared Alaska would join Canada
Many argued Alaska lacked any forests
Many thought Alaska had no coastline
Who was the Hawaiian monarch removed from power before U.S. annexation in 1898?
Queen Liliuokalani
Queen Isabella II
Empress Dowager Cixi
Czarina Alexandra
Match each term with its correct description.
Imperialism
Policy of powerful nations controlling territories
Annexation
Formal addition of territory to a country
Monroe Doctrine
U.S. stance opposing European interference
Queen Liliuokalani
Hawaiian ruler before U.S. annexation
Which statement best explains a foreign policy?
Guidelines for school governance
A nation’s approach to other countries
Rules for local elections and taxes
Plans for domestic road building
In 1867, the United States acquired Alaska. Which leader was most associated with arranging this purchase?
William H. Seward
Theodore Roosevelt
William McKinley
Grover Cleveland
Hawaii’s annexation in 1898 reflected which broader U.S. trend of the era?
Disarmament and reduced naval power
Shift to solely moral diplomacy
Return to isolationism and neutrality
Expansion through imperialism and annexation
Consider reasons nations pursue imperialism. Which factor would most likely motivate the United States to obtain territories like Alaska and Hawaii?
Plan to relocate federal courts overseas
Desire to abolish all overseas trade
Access to resources and strategic locations
Need to end domestic political parties
Which event most directly led to U.S. public support for war against Spain in 1898?
Publication of the Turner Thesis
Sinking of the USS Maine
Panamanian Revolution uprising
Election of 1912 campaigning
Yellow journalism during the 1890s is best described as
Government-run press releasing war orders
Strictly neutral foreign policy reporting
Sensationalized news to sway public opinion
Scientific analysis of naval strategies
Which agreement ended the Spanish-American War and outlined terms for Spanish surrender?
Open Door Policy
Roosevelt Corollary
Treaty of Paris 1898
Monroe Doctrine
Match each figure or outlet with its role in yellow journalism of the 1890s.
Joseph Pulitzer
Publisher of sensational newspapers
William Randolph Hearst
Newspaper magnate promoting war headlines
Remington
Artist providing dramatic illustrations
Newsies
Street sellers spreading bold headlines
What policy aimed to keep equal trading rights for all nations in China around 1900?
Moral Diplomacy
Big Stick Policy
Dollar Diplomacy
Open Door Policy
Which phrase became a rallying cry after the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor?
Support the Corollary
Remember the Maine
Annex the Canal
Protect the Doctrine
Match each president with the foreign policy often associated with his administration.
Roosevelt
Big Stick Policy
Taft
Dollar Diplomacy
Wilson
Moral Diplomacy
During Cuba’s struggle for independence, which Spanish general was noted for harsh tactics?
Admiral Dewey
General Pershing
General MacArthur
General Weyler
Which outcome followed the explosion of the USS Maine in 1898?
Signing of the Open Door notes
U.S. declaration of war on Spain
Panamanian independence from Colombia
Immediate annexation of Alaska
Match each concept with its area of focus.
Monroe Doctrine
Opposing European interference in the Americas
Roosevelt Corollary
Asserting U.S. policing power in Latin America
Open Door Policy
Ensuring equal trade rights in China
Great White Fleet
Projecting naval power globally
Which statement best describes Roosevelt’s Big Stick Policy?
Avoid conflict, use tariffs to influence trade
Invest capital, encourage private loans abroad
Speak softly, rely on naval power when needed
Promote democracy, refuse military interventions
What was the main goal of Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy?
Block European intervention in the Americas
Spread democratic ideals across nations
Threaten force to protect national interests
Use economic investments to expand influence
Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy primarily aimed to
Increase profits through foreign loans
Build a stronger navy for deterrence
Support governments that reflect democratic values
Control territory for canal construction
The Roosevelt Corollary expanded which earlier policy?
The Treaty of Paris territorial terms
The Declaration of War procedures
The Open Door Policy in China
The Monroe Doctrine’s regional authority
Match each president with the foreign policy style most associated with him.
Theodore Roosevelt
Big Stick Policy
William Howard Taft
Dollar Diplomacy
Woodrow Wilson
Moral Diplomacy
Which reason best explains U.S. interest in building the Panama Canal?
Shorter trade and military routes
Avoiding Cuban independence movements
Access to Chinese markets
Ending yellow journalism entirely
During the Panamanian Revolution, the United States
Backed Colombia to keep regional stability
Remained neutral to respect sovereignty
Supported Panama’s independence to secure canal rights
Signed the Treaty of Paris to end the conflict
How did the Roosevelt Corollary justify U.S. actions in Latin America?
Insisted on elections before recognition
Required newspapers to curb sensationalism
Promised loans to stabilize local economies
Claimed a policing role to prevent European intervention
Which policy most directly uses private American banks to shape foreign affairs?
Moral Diplomacy under President Wilson
Open Door Policy in East Asia
Big Stick Policy under President Roosevelt
Dollar Diplomacy under President Taft
A government seeking U.S. support under Moral Diplomacy would most likely
Expand navy while threatening neighbors
Hold free elections and protect civil liberties
Accept large loans from U.S. financiers
Grant canal rights to foreign corporations
