American Imperialism Study Guide Answer Key
1. Define Imperialism:
An economic and political domination of a strong nation over other weaker nations
2. List and briefly describe the three motivating factors of imperialism:
1. Belief in Cultural Superiority: Many Western nations (including the US) believed that white,
democratic, and English speaking nations were inherently superior to other countries that did
not follow or embrace these values. They believed it was their moral obligation to spread and
instill their culture and way of life to these other “lesser” nations.
2. Access to New Markets and Resources: As industry developed in the United States we began
to produce more goods than the number of people who were available to purchase them. To
sustain our growing industrial economy we needed to find new groups of people (aka
markets) to sell our goods to. We also needed access to resources and materials so that we
could continue to produce goods in a large quantity.
3. Building and Maintaining a Strong Naval Force: In order to enforce imperial policies
countries needed to have strong, effective navies. The belief was that whoever controlled the
seas, controlled the world.
3. Why was the United States interested in trading with Japan?
Japan was rumored to have a large supply of coal which we wanted to use to run our steam powered
ships. Japan was also an optimal location to establish a refueling base for US naval and trade ships.
4. What were the two outcomes of Matthew Perry’s trip to Japan?
Japan was impressed with American technology and so agreed to start trading with the US. Japan also
decided to peruse becoming an imperial power themselves.
5. Why was America interested in China?
American was interested in China because we were afraid of being blocked from trading with them by
Japan and the other European nations that had carved China into spheres of influence.
6. Explain America’s Open Door Policy.
John Hay, America’s Secretary of State issued a message to other nations saying that the countries
who had spheres of influence in China could not block the US, or other countries, from trading with
China.
7. What Imperialist motives did the US have to annex Hawaii?
Americans had business investments in Hawaii (sugar plantations) and the Queen of Hawaii was
attempting to limit foreign power and influence in her country.
8. List and briefly describe the four causes of the Spanish American War:
1. Colonialism- Spain had been a major colonial power in Latin American since the late 15th
century, and continued to have significant colonial holdings in the western hemisphere well
into the mid-late 19th century.
2. The Monroe Doctrine- in 1823 President James Monroe issued a statement saying that
European nations would no longer be able to interfere with the affairs of countries in the
Western Hemisphere.
3. Cuban Fight for Independence- the US had major financial investments in sugar mills and
plantations in Cuba and wanted to protect them from harm and Spanish control. People in the
US also empathized with the Cuban’s fight for independence from a European power.
4. Yellow Journalism- the practice of exaggerating facts in order to sell newspapers. The
sensational and unreliable news stories published by papers drummed up public support for
going to war with Spain and put pressure on President McKinley to take military action.
9. List and briefly describe the four effects of the Spanish-American War:
1. Decline/End of the Spanish Empire- Spain lost its remaining colonial holdings and lost its
status as a major world power.
2. Rise in US Global Influence- the United States asserted itself as a major world power. With
the territorial gains of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines the United States became a
major imperial power.
3. Shifts in Foreign Policy- the United States began to insert itself into the affairs of Latin
American countries in order to protect and manipulate our interests.
4. Increase in Global Tensions- the Spanish-American War added to global friction as countries
began to compete for imperial territories. This eventually would add to the causes of WWI
10. What territories does the US gain as a result of winning the war?
Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
11. Explain how Cuba was impacted.
Cuba was freed from Spanish rule and became a protectorate of the United States.
12. What did the US do that resulted in it building and controlling the Panama Canal?
The United States convinced the citizens of Panama to revolt against their Columbian government and
become an independent nation. The US then installed a pro-US Panamanian government who gave
the United States the right to build and control the Panama Canal.
13. Define the following terms:
 Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary said that the United States had the right to interfere in the economic
matters of nations in the Americans, and that the United states may use “police powers” involving
disputes in the Americas.
 Big Stick Diplomacy
Instituted by Theodore Roosevelt. Said that the United States had the right to police and interfere
in the affairs of Latin American countries anytime the United States felt its interests were
threatened or at risk.
 Dollar Diplomacy
Instituted by William Howard Taft. Said that the United States would only provide financial aid to
Latin American countries who actively supported US interests.
 Moral Diplomacy
Instituted by Woodrow Wilson. Said that the United States would only provide aid to countries
who’s moral beliefs are similar to that of the democratic US.