Unit 6 Review Sheets Foreign Policies: Imperialism ...cmatute.weebly.com/uploads/2/8/2/3/28238845/review_sheet.pdf · Unit 6 Review Sheets Foreign Policies: Imperialism – Isolationism

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“Speak softly & carry a big stick; you will go far” “Work or fight”

-Theodore Roosevelt -National War Labor Board

Unit 6 Review Sheets

Foreign Policies: Imperialism – Isolationism (Spanish-American War – Great Depression) _____________________________________________________________________________________

In the late 1800’s, the United States changed from a policy of isolationism to one of expansion. During this period, the United States

purchased Alaska from Russia, annexed Hawaii, and opened up Japan to foreign trade. In 1898, the Spanish-American War made the United States a

world power. It gained lands in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Some Americans opposed expansion. Many supported. After the Spanish-American

War, the United States built the Panama Canal. To protect the canal, the United States became involved in the affairs of Latin American nations.

President Wilson tried to keep the United States neutral. But the United States was drawn into the war. When the United States entered the

war, the Allies were in a desperate position. American troops helped stop the final German offensive and turn the tide in favor of the Allies. In 1919,

President Wilson attended the Paris Peace Conference. Wilson wanted a peace treaty based on his Fourteen Points. But other Allies had their own

goals. In the end, the Senate rejected the Versailles Treaty.

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1. How did U.S. economic prosperity lead it to pursue a policy of imperialism?

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2. Explain the arguments against imperialism.

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Summing Up: Early American Foreign Policy For most of their first century as a nation, Americans followed the advice of George Washington to avoid involvement in European alliances and

wars. The Spanish- American War marked an important change in U.S. foreign policy. In just over 100 years, the United States was transformed

from being a colony itself into a nation with its own overseas empire

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1. How did yellow journalism affect American attitudes toward the Cuban revolt?

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2. What event increased the conflict between the United States and Spain? __________________________________________________________________________________________

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3. How prepared were U.S. troops?

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4.What were the justifications used by the Americans to annex the Philippines?

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5. How did the United States maintain political control over Cuba?

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6. Why did John Hay propose an Open Door policy in China?

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7. Why did the United States want a canal through the Isthmus of Panama?

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8. How were big stick policy diplomacy and dollar diplomacy alike?

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Summing Up: America Builds a Colonial Empire By the early 1900’s, the United States had interests and possessions in the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.

American oversea expansion led to some hostility against the U.S., especially in the Philippines, China and

Latin America. Eventually, the U.S. changed its policies to help bring about better relations, particularly with

its Latin American neighbors.

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1. Why did the United States tend to favor Britain and France?

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2. How did the German U-boat campaign affect U.S. public opinion and actions?

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3. What event finally prompted Wilson to ask for a declaration of war? __________________________________________________________________________________________

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4. How did the United States raise an army for the war?

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5. What four steps did the U.S. government take to build a naval fleet quickly?

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6.What effects did the War Industries Board (WIB) have on the economy?

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7.What was the original purpose of the Espionage and Sedition Acts?

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8. Summarize Wilson’s Fourteen Points

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9. Why did many senators oppose the Treaty of Versailles?

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Summing Up: United State Returns to Isolation/Normalcy The refusal of the United States to join the League of Nations marked the return of the American policy of

isolationism (refusing to become involved in the affairs of other countries). Many Americans favored this

policy because they were unhappy with the huge costs of the war and the small benefits that the United States

had obtained from its involvement. They felt protected by the oceans and did not want to get involved in

European conflicts again.

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“So first of all let me assert my firm belief that

the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

-Roosevelt in his 1st Inaugural Address

Unit 6: Part II

On May 20, 1927, Captain Charles A. Lindbergh set out on a bold adventure. He planned to fly his single engine airplane, The Spirit of St. Louis, alone from New York to Paris, France. Lindbergh piloted the tiny plane through the fog, rain and sleet over the stormy Atlantic. Finally, he reached the

coast of France and landed outside Paris.

“I circled around into the winder and landed,” he wrote later. Thousands of people raced toward the plane. “When parts of the ship began to crack

form the pressure of the [crowd]. I decided to come out the cockpit in order to draw the crowd away.” The cheering French pulled Lindbergh from the

plane and carried him like hero across the field. Back home in America, headlines announced LINDY DOES IT-TO PARIS IN 33 ½ HOURS. Overnight, Lindbergh won the hearts of

Americans. Huge crowds welcomed him when he returned home. A popular song “Lucky Lindy,” celebrated his flight. The Lindy hope became a

new dance.

Why did Lindbergh become such a hero? In the 1920s, people needed a hero. World War 1 and the years after the war brought great changes to

America. Many people welcomed the changes. To them, Lindbergh’s flight pointed to a new age. Many others looked back to the past with longings. To

them, Lindbergh was a confident, courageous hero like those of the past.

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A RETURN TO ISOLATIONISM

In World War I, ten million people had been killed and twenty million wounded. Some of these casualties were

Americans. By 1920, Americans felt let down by the results of the war. Although the United States had been on

the winning side, the world was not "safe for democracy," as President Wilson had promised. In the 1920s, the

United States returned to its traditional policy of isolationism - keeping away from involvement in Europe's

troubles. Americans focused more on events at home, feeling safe behind the oceans that separated them

from Europe and Asia. This was one major reason why the United States never joined the League of Nations.

There were some exceptions to this trend towards isolationism. In 1921, the United States hosted the

Washington Naval Conference, in which European and Asian powers agreed to limit the number of naval

weapons and the size of their navies. In 1928, the United States also promoted the Kellogg-Briand Pact, in

which 62 countries said they would give up war and settle their disputes by peaceful means only. But

Americans were reluctant to become any more involved than this, and were especially opposed to being caught

up in any future wars in Europe.

REASONS FOR THE PROSPERITY OF THE 1920’s For many Americans, the 1920s were good times. Wages rose and job opportunities increased, while business

profits and production soared. There were many factors underlying this prosperity.

THE RISE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

Probably the single most important factor in creating prosperity was that the automobile came into widespread

use. In the 1920s, ownership of cars jumped from 7 million to 23 million. This enormous growth in automobile

ownership greatly affected many aspects of American life. Automobile production helped stimulate other

industries, since cars required vast amounts of steel, glass, and rubber. By 1929, one out of every nine workers

in America was employed in an auto-related industry.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER NEW INDUSTRIES

Besides automobiles, other new industries emerged, largely based on new uses of electricity. Household

appliances, like the vacuum cleaner, refrigerator, and toaster, were introduced. Radio and motion pictures

became widespread. These new industries created new jobs and changed the ways Americans lived.

MORE EFFICIENT PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

The assembly line, the use of standardized parts, and other labor-saving devices made American industry more

efficient and productive. Some of these improved production techniques were developed for wartime production

during World War I.

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THE AGE OF MASS CONSUMPTION The 1920s witnessed new patterns of consumption, creating larger mass markets for goods. Advertising

stimulated demand, while workers with higher wages and more leisure time had greater purchasing power.

Retailers developed programs for installment purchases and buying on credit.

SPECULATION BOOM

The emergence of new industries, improved production techniques, and mass markets helped fuel a speculative boom on

the stock market, where millions of people invested in the hope of striking it rich.

POLICIES FAVORING BUSINESS

In general, Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover followed policies favorable to American business. They supported

laissez-faire policies, with minimal interference in business activities.

THE NEW YORK STOCK MARKET CRASH

In 1929, the prices of stocks on the New York Stock Exchange turned sharply downward. On

October 29th, the market "crashed" as prices went into free fall. Everyone wanted to sell stocks

but nobody wanted to buy them. Within a few days the total market value of stocks fell by more

than 30 billion dollars. The New York Stock Market Crash marked the beginning of the Great

Depression. Corporations found it hard to raise money, and many went out of business. As a

result, people lost their jobs. Unemployed people had very little money to spend, so more

companies went out of business. People went hungry. Millions depended on soup kitchens and

bread

CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION The crash of the stock market in 1929 set off a chain reaction that toppled the American economy and became a

national nightmare. Soon the Great Depression spread to Europe, showing that conditions in one part of the

world are affected by conditions in another part. This connection is known as global interdependence.

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FACTORS LEADING TO THE GREAT DEPRESSION In addition to the New York Stock Market Crash, many underlying factors helped cause the Great Depression:

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT AND THE NEW DEAL

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the greatest challenge facing Americans was widespread

unemployment. The Governor of New York, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was nominated as the Democratic

candidate in the Presidential election of 1932. Roosevelt promised Americans a "New Deal" to put them back to

work. Roosevelt easily defeated Hoover in a landslide election.

ROOSEVELT INTRODUCES THE NEW DEAL

The New Deal was a major turning point in American history. It established that the federal government bears

the chief responsibility for ensuring the smooth running of the American economy.

ROOSEVELT'S NEW DEAL PHILOSOPHY

President Roosevelt saw the depression as a national emergency. He believed the President's task was to find a

way back to prosperity. The New Deal marked an end to the view that government and the economy should be

separated. Under Roosevelt, the New Deal permanently increased the size and power of the federal government,

making it primarily responsible for managing the national economy.

ROOSEVELT'S STYLE

Roosevelt brought a new style to the Presidency. He assembled a group of very talented people, known as the

"Brain Trust," to serve under him. Roosevelt was an excellent communicator. In radio addresses to millions of

listeners, known as "fireside chats," he explained his policies in simple conversational terms. His cheerful optimism

helped to restore public confidence.

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NEW DEAL LEGISLATION: RELIEF, RECOVERY, AND REFORM As soon as President Roosevelt took office, he called Congress into special session. Roosevelt then pushed

through legislation that would have been difficult to pass in less critical times. Roosevelt explained the New

Deal measures in terms of three R's Relief, Recovery, and Reform.

*To limit judicial opposition to the New Deal programs, President Franklin attempted to add more justices (Court

Packing Plan) to the Supreme Court.

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