US History Chapter 20 Key Terms

Chapter 20 Key Terms American Exceptionalism: The idea that the United States is fundamentally different from and superior to other nations, often based on its history of democracy, liberty, and individualism. It was used as a justification for expansionism, arguing that the U.S. had a moral duty to spread its values, such as during westward expansion, imperialism, and interventions abroad. Teller Amendment: A resolution passed by Congress before the Spanish-American War that declared the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the war. It was meant to reassure Cubans and other nations that the U.S. sought to liberate, not colonize, Cuba. This reflected growing anti-imperialist sentiment in the U.S. at the time. Insular Cases: A series of Supreme Court rulings that addressed the status of U.S. territories acquired after the Spanish-American War, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. These decisions determined that residents of these territories did not automatically receive full constitutional rights, creating a distinction between incorporated and unincorporated territories. Platt Amendment: An amendment to the Cuban constitution imposed by the U.S. that limited Cuba's sovereignty. It allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs to maintain stability, prevented Cuba from signing treaties that could threaten its independence, and granted the U.S. a naval base at Guantánamo Bay. This effectively made Cuba a U.S. protectorate. “Open Door” Policy: Proposed by Secretary of State John Hay, it aimed to prevent any single country from monopolizing trade with China. The policy promoted equal trading rights for all nations in China and sought to protect China's territorial integrity while ensuring U.S. access to Chinese markets. It was a key example of U.S. economic imperialism. Root-Takahira Agreement: An agreement between the United States and Japan that reaffirmed mutual respect for each other's Pacific possessions, such as the Philippines and Korea. It also supported the Open Door Policy in China and sought to ease tensions between the two nations as both expanded their influence in the Pacific. Panama Canal: Constructed by the U.S. after supporting Panama’s independence from Colombia, the canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, revolutionizing maritime trade and military strategy. It reduced travel time for ships and symbolized U.S. engineering power, but it also exemplified U.S. interventionism in Latin America. Roosevelt Corollary: An extension of the Monroe Doctrine by President Theodore Roosevelt. It stated that the U.S. had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to stabilize their economies or governments if they threatened to default on debts owed to European powers. It justified U.S. intervention and established the U.S. as a dominant force in the Western Hemisphere. Zimmermann Telegram: A secret diplomatic communication sent by Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance if the U.S. entered World War I against Germany. Germany promised to help Mexico reclaim territories lost to the U.S. (like Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico). Its interception by British intelligence and publication outraged Americans and was a key factor in the U.S. joining the war. War Industries Board (WIB): A federal agency established during World War I to coordinate the production of war materials. It regulated industries, prioritized resources for military needs, and standardized products to increase efficiency. It played a crucial role in mobilizing the U.S. economy for war. National War Labor Board (NWLB): Created during World War I to mediate disputes between workers and employers to prevent strikes that could disrupt war production. It supported workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively while also promoting fair wages and working conditions. Sedition Act of 1918: An extension of the Espionage Act, it criminalized speech or actions that criticized the U.S. government, military, or war effort during World War I. It targeted anti-war activists, socialists, and immigrants, leading to controversial prosecutions and debates about civil liberties. Great Migration: The large-scale movement of African Americans from the rural South to northern and western cities. Initially driven by the demand for labor during World War I and the opportunity to escape Jim Crow laws, the migration significantly reshaped American cities and culture, contributing to movements like the Harlem Renaissance. National Woman’s Party: Founded by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns in 1916, it focused on fighting for women’s suffrage through more radical methods than other suffrage groups. The NWP organized protests, picketed the White House, and conducted hunger strikes, drawing national attention to the fight for the 19th Amendment. Fourteen Points: President Wilson’s proposal for a just peace after WWI, emphasizing open diplomacy, free trade, self-determination, and the creation of the League of Nations. Many were rejected at the Treaty of Versailles, and the U.S. didn’t join the League. League of Nations: An international organization established after World War I to promote peace and resolve conflicts through diplomacy. Proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in his Fourteen Points, the League aimed to prevent future wars but was weakened by the U.S. Senate’s refusal to join. Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty that officially ended World War I. It imposed harsh reparations on Germany, redrew European borders, and created the League of Nations. While it aimed to establish lasting peace, its punitive terms contributed to economic and political instability in Germany, ultimately leading to World War II. Continue to next page ↓ ↓ ↓ Key People Theodore Roosevelt: 26th U.S. President, known for his progressive reforms, trust-busting policies, and expanding U.S. influence through imperialist actions like the construction of the Panama Canal and the Roosevelt Corollary, which justified U.S. intervention in Latin America. Alfred Mahan: Naval officer and strategist whose book The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890) argued that a strong navy was essential for global power, influencing U.S. imperialism and expansion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Queen Liliuokalani: The last queen of Hawaii, who was overthrown in 1893 by American planters and businessmen with the help of the U.S. military, leading to the annexation of Hawaii by the U.S. in 1898. Emilio Aguinaldo: Leader of the Philippine independence movement who fought against Spanish rule and later U.S. occupation. He led the Philippine-American War (1899–1902) in an attempt to establish an independent Filipino republic. Woodrow Wilson: 28th U.S. President, known for his leadership during World War I, promoting the League of Nations, and advancing progressive reforms such as the Federal Reserve Act and the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Porfirio Diaz: Mexican military leader and dictator who ruled from 1876 to 1911, overseeing significant economic modernization but also suppressing political opposition, leading to the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution. Herbert Hoover: 31st U.S. President, best known for his leadership during the Great Depression. His policies, such as reliance on voluntary cooperation and limited government intervention, were criticized for failing to effectively address the economic crisis.