Age of Empire 1867-1920 — Practice Quiz
A US History cheat sheet for Age of Empire 1867-1920 — every key formula with its symbols defined — plus a medium-level practice quiz to test recall.
Formulas & key concepts
US bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million
Where: Known as "Seward's Folly" but proved valuable for resources
US annexed Hawaii after American planters overthrew Queen Liliuokalani
Where: Strategic location for naval base (Pearl Harbor)
Conflict between US and Spain; ended Spanish colonial rule in Americas
Where: Sparked by Cuban independence movement and yellow journalism
US battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor
Where: "Remember the Maine!" became a rallying cry for war
Sensationalist reporting used by newspapers (Hearst and Pulitzer) to influence public opinion
Where: Helped push US into war with Spain
Volunteer cavalry regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt during Spanish-American War
Where: Famous for charge up San Juan Hill
Ended Spanish-American War; US gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippines
Where: US became an imperial power
Conflict between US forces and Filipino revolutionaries led by Emilio Aguinaldo
Where: Resulted in US control of Philippines until 1946
US policy stating that all nations should have equal trade access to China
Where: Proposed by Secretary of State John Hay
Uprising in China against foreign influence
Where: Put down by international coalition including US
Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy: "Speak softly and carry a big stick"
Where: Relied on military strength (Great White Fleet)
Canal built by US across Panama to connect Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Where: US supported Panamanian independence from Colombia to get rights
Addition to Monroe Doctrine stating US would intervene in Latin American affairs to maintain stability
Where: US as "international police power"
Taft's policy of using US economic power to influence foreign countries
Where: Encouraged investment in Latin America and East Asia
Wilson's policy of condemning imperialism and promoting democracy
Where: Intervened in Mexico (Pancho Villa expedition)
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism
Where: Sparked by assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
British passenger liner sunk by German U-boat in 1915; killing 128 Americans
Where: Turned American public opinion against Germany
Telegram from Germany proposing alliance with Mexico against US
Where: Final straw leading to US entry into WWI
Law requiring men to register for military draft
Where: Raised a massive army for WWI
Government agency that coordinated industrial production during WWI
Where: Led by Bernard Baruch
Government agency created to influence public opinion to support WWI
Where: Used propaganda (posters, speeches)
Laws that made it illegal to criticize the government or war effort
Where: Upheld by Supreme Court in Schenck v. US ("clear and present danger")
Mass movement of African Americans from South to Northern cities during WWI
Where: Seeking jobs and escape from Jim Crow
Wilson's plan for world peace following WWI
Where: Included self-determination, freedom of seas, League of Nations
International organization proposed by Wilson to prevent future wars
Where: US Senate rejected membership due to isolationism
Treaty ending WWI; imposed harsh penalties on Germany (reparations)
Where: US did not ratify; signed separate peace
Fear of communism and anarchism in US following Russian Revolution
Where: Led to Palmer Raids and deportations
Series of raids by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer against suspected radicals
Where: Violated civil liberties
Italian anarchists convicted and executed for murder despite questionable evidence
Where: Symbols of anti-immigrant sentiment
Global outbreak of influenza that killed millions worldwide
Where: Killed more people than WWI combat
Practice quiz
The acquisition of Alaska in 1867, initially mocked as "Seward's Folly," proved valuable to the United States primarily due to what?
- Its strategic location for military bases.
- Its rich natural resources like oil and gold.
- Its fertile land for agricultural expansion.
- Its role as a gateway to Asian trade routes.
Answer: Its rich natural resources like oil and gold.
What event served as a major catalyst, fueling public support for the Spanish-American War in 1898?
- The annexation of Hawaii.
- The sinking of the USS Maine.
- The implementation of the Open Door Policy.
- The Boxer Rebellion.
Answer: The sinking of the USS Maine.
What term describes the sensationalist reporting style used by newspapers like those of William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, which helped sway public opinion towards war with Spain?
- Muckraking journalism.
- Objective reporting.
- Yellow journalism.
- Investigative journalism.
Answer: Yellow journalism.
The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1898, officially ended the Spanish-American War and resulted in the United States gaining control over which territories?
- Cuba, Mexico, and Hawaii.
- Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
- Panama, Alaska, and Samoa.
- Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua.
Answer: Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Who led the Filipino revolutionaries in their conflict against US forces during the Philippine-American War from 1899-1902?
- Queen Liliuokalani.
- Pancho Villa.
- Emilio Aguinaldo.
- John Hay.
Answer: Emilio Aguinaldo.
Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy, characterized by the phrase "Speak softly and carry a big stick," emphasized what approach to international relations?
- Relying solely on economic incentives.
- Using military strength to back up diplomatic efforts.
- Promoting democracy through peaceful negotiations only.
- Avoiding all foreign entanglements.
Answer: Using military strength to back up diplomatic efforts.
The United States supported Panamanian independence from Colombia primarily to achieve what strategic goal?
- To establish a new trade partner in Latin America.
- To gain rights to build and control the Panama Canal.
- To prevent European intervention in the region.
- To spread democratic ideals in Central America.
Answer: To gain rights to build and control the Panama Canal.
What was the significance of the Zimmerman Note during World War I?
- It outlined President Wilson's Fourteen Points for peace.
- It proposed a secret alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States.
- It announced Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare policy.
- It detailed the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Answer: It proposed a secret alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States.
During World War I, the Espionage and Sedition Acts were passed primarily to achieve what?
- To encourage public debate about the war.
- To protect civil liberties of anti-war protestors.
- To suppress dissent and criticism of the war effort.
- To fund the war through increased taxes.
Answer: To suppress dissent and criticism of the war effort.
Despite President Woodrow Wilson's strong advocacy, why did the United States ultimately refuse to join the League of Nations after World War I?
- The League's headquarters were located in Europe.
- The US Senate feared it would entangle the nation in future foreign conflicts.
- The League required member nations to adopt communism.
- The US already had its own international peace organization.
Answer: The US Senate feared it would entangle the nation in future foreign conflicts.
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