Period 7 Quiz #1

SAQ: You must answer all SAQs. Partial credit can be earned.

1. Answer A, B, & C:
a. Briefly explain ONE argument that supports the view that the Spanish-American War
was caused by humanitarian concerns.
b. Briefly explain ONE argument that supports the view that the Spanish-American War
was caused by imperialist motives.
c. Briefly explain ONE argument why the Spanish-American War could be considered the
beginning of a new era in American foreign policy.

Answer:

A) The Spanish-American War was caused by humanitarian concerns in the country of Cuba. The
American people and government were growing concerned about the mistreatment of the
Cuban people by the Spanish. For example, the Spanish had placed Cubans in concentration
camps which denied people of their rights and freedoms. These concerns were inflamed by
yellow journalism which embellished much of what was occurring.
B) The United States’ involvement in the Spanish American War was primarily caused by its
imperialist desires. The United States wanted to expand its political, economic, and social
influence to other parts of the world and the Spanish American War helped accomplish this. As a
result of the war, the global empire of the United States grew.
C) The Spanish American War served as a turning point in US foreign policy into a new era because
the United States had emerged as a world power. The Spanish American War had demonstrated
the military strength of the United States and the Treaty of Paris had led to the territorial
acquisitions which made the United States an imperial power. The combination of these two
events position the United States as a new face in main stage of international affairs.

2. Answer A, B, & C:
a. Briefly explain ONE example of why the U.S. Relationship with Great Britain improved
during the period from the 1890s to 1914.
b. Briefly explain ONE example of why the U.S relationship with Japan became more
difficult.
c. Briefly explain ONE example of why the U.S. relationship with Mexico became more
difficult.

A) The United States and Great Britain improved their relations as a result of the boundary dispute
between the British and Venezuela. The British agreed to the American request for arbitration
to settle the dispute. This marked a change for the two countries which had a rivalry dating back
to the American Revolution.
B) Relations between the United States and Japan worsened during the Age of Imperialism in the
United States. Tensions developed between the two due to the Open Door Policy with China
which challenged the Japanese goals with China. Another cause would be the United States’
involvement in helping negotiate the treaty which ended the Russo-Japanese War. This caused
issues because the Japanese felt that they had received a less than favorable deal because of US
involvement. These events accompanied by immigration issues and conflicting imperialist
motives led to the rising tension between the two nations.
C) During the Wilson Administration relations between the United States and Mexico became
more difficult primarily due to political and military issues. Tension began to rise when President
Wilson failed to recognize the Mexican government after the General Huerta took over as a
military dictator for the democratically elected president who had been assassinated. Issues
further developed when the United States occupied a Mexican port during the Tampico
incident. The situation further escalated when President Wilson allowed US military forces to
enter Mexico in search of Poncho Villa after his raids on the United States.

3. Answer A, B, & C:
a. Briefly explain the foreign policy of Theodore Roosevelt and how it was applied.
b. Briefly explain the foreign policy of William Howard Taft and how it was applied.
c. Briefly explain the foreign policy of Woodrow Wilson and how it was applied.

A) The foreign policy of Teddy Roosevelt was “Big Stick Diplomacy”. The focus of his foreign policy
was for the United States to be more active and influential in foreign affairs. The size and
strength of the US Navy allowed for the carrying out of this policy through the creation of the
Panama Canal and the Roosevelt Corollary.
B) President Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” sought to expand the economic interest of the United States
around the world. Under this policy, the United States would invest their money into the new
foreign markets which would in turn allow for large returns on investments. This would allow for
the US involvement in trade to grow.
C) Woodrow Wilson’s “Moral Policy” was in stark contrast to that of previous administrations.
Wilson believed that the United States should take the moral high ground when dealing with
relations in other countries. Wilson hoped that this would help spread the ideas of democracy in
other parts of the world and that it would right the wrongs of previous administrations.

4. Answer A, B, & C:
a. Briefly explain ONE reason the United States desired the building of a canal in Central
America.
b. Briefly explain ONE action the United States was involved in before the building of a
canal in Central America.
 c. Briefly explain how the building of a canal in Central America either supported or went
against American Imperialist views.

A) With the growth of the United States as an imperialist nation, there was a great need to shorten
travel between the Atlantic and Pacific. The building of a canal in Central America would greatly
shorten the time for US naval and merchant ships.
B) In an effort to have a canal built, President Roosevelt attempted to negotiate a deal with
Colombia to build a canal along the isthmus of Panama. When the Columbian government
refused support the United States, Roosevelt helped support the Panamanian Revolution which
led to the formation of the nation of Panama. As a result, the Panamanians agreed to a treaty
with the United States, the Panama Canal was built linking the two oceans.
C) The building of a canal in Central America clearly supported the imperialist views of the United
States. This enabled the US Navy to move from Atlantic to Pacific to police the Western
Hemisphere. It also allowed for the growth of trade between the US and foreign countries.
Lastly, the building of the canal also gave the United States greater influence in Central America.

Number 5 is on the back!

5. Answer A, B, & C:
a. Explain how this cartoon reflects the point of view of:
i. An Imperialist
ii. An Anti-Imperialist
b. Explain one specific historical event or concept which supports the point of view of the
cartoon.
c. Explain a second specific historical event or concept which supports the point of view of
the cartoon.

A) This cartoon clearly represents the viewpoints on an imperialist. The author of the cartoon
clearly demonstrates how the involvement of the United States greatly changed the lives of
people in the countries such as Cuba, Panama, and Hawaii for the better.
B) Hawaii, Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama Student Response May Vary