Jeremy Keeshin

Chapter 21- Imperialism- Identifications

James G Blaine was a member of the House of Representatives and later a senator for
Maine, and influential Secretary of State. He supported Tariff Reciprocity, which would
change the trade from the Latin American countries with Europe to the United States.
This was significant because it helped bolster foreign relations and exports.

William Seward was an ambitious imperialistic Secretary of State who was responsible
for the purchase of Alaska in what was known as “Seward’s Folly.” He was significant
because his aggressive tactics ushered in an age of American imperialism.

The Hawaii Annexation was made official when President McKinley signed it on July 7,
1898 making the former protectorate and republic an American colony. The reason it was
significant was because the annexation of Hawaii had long been a goal as it was a good
intermediary in Pacific trade.

Alfred Thayer Mahan was a persuasive American naval officer and strategist who
authored the books The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783 and The Interest
of America in Sea Power. He was significant because his ideas helped build naval
strength before World War I.

Yellow Journalism was sensationalist and exaggerated writing to increase sales. It was
significant because it stirred up ideas right before the Spanish American War.
Remington contributed many illustrations to Hearst and the yellow press.

The de Lôme letter was an intercepted letter published by the yellow press that criticized
McKinley. It was significant because it got raised sentiment for the Cubans and against
the Spanish leading to the war.

The USS Maine was a ship that exploded and sank in the Cuban harbor of Havana and
killed 266. It was significant because many people thought it was Spain (although it most
likely wasn’t) and helped as a catalyst to the war.

The Teller Amendment said after that the United States would give Cuba independence
and did not intend to annex the island. It was significant because it caused Spain to cease
relations and led to the war.

George Dewey was a naval officer who won a major victory at Manila Bay in the
Philippines against the Spanish. He was significant because he was the first prominent
war hero of the war.
 Jeremy Keeshin

William Jennings Bryan headed up a regiment in the Spanish American War but later
resigned after Wilson entered the war and was imperialistic. He was significant because
he was continuously pressing his point about imperialism but was unable to in the 1900
election.

The Anti-Imperialistic League was a group founded to oppose the annexation of the
Philippines and other territories. They were significant because while backing Bryan in
the 1900 election, they revealed the feeling of much of the country about the war, and
later opposed the Treaty of Paris.

Emilio Aguinaldo was the leader of a Filipino revolt against Spanish and American rule.
He was significant because he was a major leader in the Philippine-American War.

The Platt Amendment was a replacement to the Teller Amendment and a change to the
Cuban Constitution that said it would not make treaties with other nations or get a debt. It
was significant because it set out future Cuban diplomacy.

Secretary of State John Hay under McKinley asked major countries at the time to join
the Open Door Policy, which dealt with equality under spheres of influence. It was
significant because it was initially rejected but accepted after the Boxer Rebellion and
helped relations in China.