Imperialism and World War I

Just as progressives hoped to change America, Imperialists hoped to change the world. In 1900, America's frontier had moved beyond the West and began to include territory over which she did not have control. But in places like Cuba, Panama, Hawaii and the Philippines, America felt her national interest was best served by having influence over these places. In both a economic and military sense, many Americans, fueled by Yellow Journalism, redefined America's new Manifest Destiny: Leader of the World. Despite the problems it caused, capitalism, and the wealth it permitted, had made America very confident. That would only be confirmed when America enters The Great War and heads Over There to save the world for democracy and elevate herself to international prominence.


Proud of her progressive accomplishments, America was ready to continue the manifest destiny of the 19th century to the rest of the world, ridding it of tyranny, intolerance and superstition.	But that was the romantic view of imperialism. In reality, Uncle Sam needed to physically expand to feed the industrial monster.	The first opportunity to do both came right in America's backyard, Cuba. Spanish brutality on the island and the destruction of the USS Maine prompted "a splendid little war."

Theodore Roosevelt, prior to his presidency, took center stage, as the Rough Riders, an embodiment of the American view of itself, took San Juan Hill and the Spanish-American War.	But more than a dozen years later, a far more different conflict was taking place in Europe. This one was not splendid, nor little, and would rage for three years as America tilted on the brink. Images from the trenches of death kept the nation at a distance.	One event that moved America closer to war was the sinking of the Lusitania. The ship was torpedoed by a German sub and 1,200 people, 128 of them Americans, were drowned. Following the release of the Zimmermann Telegram two years later and the Russian Revolution one monthe after that, there was no turning back.

Preparedness hit full stride at home. Above, Red Cross nurses fill baskets with peach pits, which were ground into filter material for gas masks.	Propaganda also hit full stride. A firm Uncle Sam, far different from the jolly figure of the previous century, urges young men to enlist.	Following victories at Bellou Wood, Chateux Thierry and Cantigny, hopes for last peace rested with Wilson's 14 Points. But a revenge-minded Europe chose the a much harsher path, the Treaty of Versailles.

Chapter 18.1	Chapter 18.2
God and Greed - roots of Imperialism	Role of Weyler and Yellow Journalism
Continuation of Manifest Destiny - How? Why?	The Maine and war - describe
Role of Hawaii	Outcome - What is won, what is lost?
Chapter 18.3	Chapter 18.4
U.S. role in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines	Define/describe - Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy
Define/describe Open Door policy	...Taft's __________ Diplomacy
How did that effect China?	...and Wilson's _________ Diplomacy (aka Moral Diplomacy)
Chapter 19.1	Chapter 19.2
MAIN causes...plus the assassination..	Mobilization
...and the trenches - How does the US react?	Blockade systems and convoys
Lusitania + Zimmermann Telegram + Russ. Rev. = War	Describe the warfare the doughboys encountered
Chapter 19.3	Chapter 19.4
Home front...economically, what changed?	Wilson's 14 Points...
Socially, what changed? (Gender/racial changes)	...does not play well with vengeful European leaders
In terms of personal liberties, what changed?	The League of Nations > doomed to fail. Why?