Study GuideU.S. History II–The United States as a World Power1.Foreign Policy in the Progressive EraAfter theSpanish-American War (1898), the United States became one of the world’s imperialpowers. America gained overseas territories stretching across the globe—fromPuerto Rico in theCaribbeanto thePhilippines in the Pacific.Leading up toWorld War I, the U.S. tried to maintain influence inAsia through diplomacywhilefollowing a more aggressive approach in theWestern Hemisphere. The United States generallystayed out of European conflicts untilAugust 1914, when World War I began. Even then, the U.S.remainedneutral for almost three years. When American troops joined the war in1917, they playeda key role in theAllied victoryand gave PresidentWoodrow Wilsona chance to influence thepeace settlement. However, theSenaterefused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, signaling a shifttowardisolationism.1.1The Panama CanalTheSpanish-American Warshowed the need for acanal connecting the Atlantic and PacificOceans. The French had tried to build one in the 1880s but failed. The U.S. took over the project.•TheHay-Herran Treaty (1903)gave the U.S. a 99-year lease on a six-mile-wide strip of landin Panama for$10 million plus annual payments.•WhenColumbia refused to approve the treaty, Panamanians revolted withU.S. support.•TheHay-Bunau-Varilla Treatygave the U.S.full control of the Canal Zone, andconstruction began in1904. The first ship passed through the canal in1914.The project was an engineering marvel. It also led to majormedical advances, such as controllingyellow fever, malaria, and other tropical diseases.1.2American Intervention in the Caribbean and Central AmericaDuring the Progressive Era and into the 1920s, the U.S.intervened frequentlyin nearby countries.•Cuba: ThePlatt Amendment (1901)allowed the U.S. to intervene to maintain stability. It alsogave the U.S. a naval base atGuantanamo Bay, prevented Cuba from making foreigntreaties that threatened its sovereignty, and limited Cuba’s ability to take on debt. U.S. troopswere sent to Cuba in1906, 1912, and 1917.Preview Mode
This document has 8 pages. Sign in to access the full document!