1. Expanding Role of America
Prior to World War One a desire for world
markets and belief in the supremacy of Anglo-
Saxon culture led the United States to assert
itself as a world power.
Imperialism is the
economic and political
domination of a strong
nation over weaker ones.

2. Causes of American Imperialism
• The belief in the
superiority of
American Culture
• The belief that then
nation needed a
large navy for
security with bases
overseas
• The belief that the
economy needed
more overseas
markets (especially
Japan and China)

3. The Spanish American War
Effects
Causes Cuba gains
independence
U.S support
of the Cuban
Rebellion War with Spain
in Cuba and U.S gains
the Philippines overseas empire:
The sinking of Annexes Guam
the USS Maine and Puerto Rico
in Havana
Harbor
U.S extends
power through
military force in
the Philippines

4. Presidents Roosevelt and Taft continued to support a
policy of expanding United States influence in foreign
countries. The following examples represent the
imperialist policies of the United States during the turn of
the century.

5. The Panama Canal
Roosevelt and others believed a canal through
central America would save time and money for
military and commercial shipping. The canal
shortened the distance between the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans by 8,000 miles.

6. Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe
Doctrine
Stated that the United
States would intervene
in Latin American affairs
when it felt it was
necessary. This would
maintain economic and
political stability in the
Western Hemisphere.

7. Dollar Diplomacy
The idea that American businesses should
support Latin American development. This
would increase trade and profit form American
business and give Europeans fewer
opportunities to interfere in Latin America.

8. Big Stick Diplomacy
“Speak softly , and carry a big stick…” was president Roosevelt’s way of
saying that we should try to peacefully negotiate, but when that fails, we
shouldn’t be afraid to use our military might to frighten countries into
treaties or other agreements as we saw fit.

9. Philippines
The Spanish had held the Philippines as a strategic colonial hold in the Pacific since the
mid-16th century. The first fighting between the American and Spanish forces there was
at Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. The Philippines had been revolting against Spanish
colonial rule but had signed a treaty and were not fighting at the time American forces
came to their “aide”. Was this really a war in which we were helping the Philippines fight
for their Independence or was it an example of American Imperialism where the U.S.
was interested in Pacific strongholds?

10. Which of the following was not an outcome of the
Spanish American War?
b)Cuba gained its independence
c)The U.S gained Guam and Puerto Rico
d)Philippines willfully accepted American occupation
e)The United States acquired a overseas empire

11. During the late 1800s, the United States took an
expanded role in world affairs partially because
of the acquisition of territory -
a) In the Pacific
b) On the African Continent
c) In the Middle East
d) Along the Baltic Sea

12. What foreign policy is represented by this cartoon?
b)Dollar Diplomacy
c)Monroe Doctrine
d)Construction of the Panama Canal
e)Open Door Policy

13. Which of the following is not a reason
for American Imperialism?
a) Expand trade to foreign markets
b) Increase population
c) Belief in the supremacy of American culture
d) Overseas bases for a powerful navy

14. Use the excerpt and social studies knowledge to answer the
question below.
How long are the Spaniards to drench Cuba with the blood
and tears of her people? How long is the peasantry of Spain to be
drafted away to Cuba to die miserably in a hopeless war, that
Spanish nobles and Spanish officers may get medals and honors?
- New York World, 1897
The author of this article most likely believed that the U.S
involvement in the Spanish American War was necessary in order
to-
j)Prevent further casualties in Cuba
k)Protect U.S economic interests in Spain
l)Make Cuba a U.S colony

15. Analyze the cartoon above. President Roosevelt was known for using “big stick
diplomacy.” What does that mean and what were some examples of this style of
diplomacy.

16. Roosevelt Shrinks the World!
What is this headline referring to?
b)The building of the Panama Canal
c)The end of the Spanish American War
d)The annexation of Hawaii
e)The Monroe Doctrine