U.S. HISTORY: Foreign Policy & Expansionism

Isolationism

The thought that America should trade with the world but not be politically involved with foreign countries.

Manifest Destiny

The thought that Americans had a God given destiny to spread and conquer. (Initially this only applied to North America, but over time the belief changed to a destiny to spread around the world)

Foreign Policy

The way in which our government deals with other countries around the world

Nativists

A belief in the United States in the 19th century, favoring the interests of established inhabitants over those of immigrants. (anti-imigrants)

Neutrality

A policy of not taking sides in foreign problems

Annexation of Hawaii

American's wanted Hawaii because of it's location on the way to China. Hawaii also had the perfect conditions for growing sugar cane. American soldiers, led by John L. Stevens, overthrew the Hawaiian queen. Later, the United States annexed Hawaii.

Monroe Doctrine

Americans told European nations to stay out of Central America and South America or else they would consider it an act of war.

Treaty

An agreement between two countries

Alliance

An agreement to work on the same side as another country

Annex

Claiming a territory as your own

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

Gave the U.S. "policing powers" over Central America and South America.

Anglo-Saxonism

People believed that English-Speaking nations had better character, ideas, and systems of government, and were destined to dominate the planet.

Open Door Policy

Policy established by Americans that said anyone could use the ports in China for trade.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Powerful senator who pushed for the construction of a new navy.

Imperialism

The act of a strong nation using their power to control other countries and gain new colonies.

American Expansionism

• After the Civil War, people were not interested expanding the nation's territory or international influence • Starting in the 1880s more people wanted to make the U.S. a world power • Economic and military competition from other nations and a growing feeling of cultural superiority led to this change of opinion

Alfred T. Mahan

• Officer in the U.S. Navy • Wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783 • Believed that America needed a larger navy and bases overseas.

Panama Canal

• Theodore Roosevelt was President • U.S. wanted to build a canal in Panama to connect the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. This made trade much quicker and easier. • Columbia owned the land and wouldn't sell it to America for a good price. So, America pushed Panama to become its own country and actually troops to fight for their freedom. • Panama became its own country and leased the land for the Panama Canal to the U.S.