Download DBQ 1 - mrsaska

DBQ 1: United States Imperialism
The following question is based on the accompanying documents (A-J).
Prove the following: In the early 20th century, the United States became increasingly involved in
world affairs and imperialism influenced U.S. foreign policy.
Document A
“The World’s Constable”
Document B:
Declaration of War with Spain
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, First. That war be, and the same is hereby, declared to exist, and that war has existed since
the 21st day of April, A. D. 1898, including said day, between the United States of America and the
Kingdom of Spain.
Second. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, directed and empowered to use the
entire land and naval forces of the United States and to call into the actual service of the United States the
militia of the several States to such extent as may be necessary to carry this act into effect.
Approved, April 25, 1898.
Document C
Quote from William McKinley
I walked the floor of the White House night after night until midnight; and I am not ashamed to tell you,
gentlemen, that I went down on my knees and prayed to Almighty God for light and guidance more than
one night. And one night late it came to me this way-I don't know how it was, but it came . . . That there
was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and
Christianize them and by God's grace do the very best we could by them, as our fellow men for whom
Christ also died.”
Document D
Quote from Teddy Roosevelt
“Speak softly, and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
Document E
Open Door Notes
Earnestly desirous to remove any cause of irritation and to insure at the same time to the commerce of all
nations in China... [the United States urges all nations claiming a sphere of influence in China to declare]
that [all nations] shall enjoy perfect equality of treatment for their commerce and navigation within such
spheres.... Within its respective sphere [a nation]... ?
First. Will in no way interfere with any treaty or port or any vested interest [of another nation] within [its
own] sphere [of influence]... in China.
Second. That the Chinese [tariff]... shall apply to all merchandise landed or shipped to all such ports...
within said sphere [of influence]... no matter what nationality it may belong, and that duties so leviable
shall be collected by the Chinese government.
Third. That [a nation] will levy no higher harbor dues on vessels of another nationality frequenting any
port in such sphere that shall be levied on vessels of its own nationality, and no higher railroad charges
over lines... within its sphere on merchandise belonging to citizens or subjects of other nationalities,
transported through such sphere than shall be levied on similar merchandise belonging to its own
nationals transported over equal distances....
[The United States seeks] the adoption of measures insuring the benefits of equality of treatment of all
foreign trade throughout China....
Document F
Quote from Queen Liliuokalani, Jan 17, 1893
I Liliuokalani…Queen, do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against myself and the
Constitutional Government of the Hawaiian Kingdom by certain persons claiming to have established a
Provisional Government of and for this Kingdom.
Now to avoid any collision of armed forces, and perhaps the loss of life, I do this under protest and
impelled by said force yield my authority until such time as the Government of the United States shall,
upon facts being presented to it, undo the action of its representatives and reinstate me in the authority
which I claim as the Constitutional Sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands. —
Document G
Platt Amendment, Article III
The Government of Cuba consents that the United States may exercise the right to intervene for the
preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life,
property, and individual liberty, and for discharging the obligations with respect to Cuba imposed by the
Treaty of Paris on the United States, now to be assumed and undertaken by the Government of Cuba. . .
Document H
U.S. Intervention around the world, map
Document I
Excerpt, the Roosevelt Corollary, 1904
“It must be understood that under no circumstances will the United States use the Monroe Doctrine as a
cloak for territorial aggression. We desire peace with all the world, but perhaps most of all with the other
peoples of the American Continent. There are, of course, limits to the wrongs which any self-respecting
nation can endure. It is always possible that wrong actions toward this Nation, or toward citizens of this
Nation, in some State unable to keep order among its own people, unable to secure justice from outsiders,
and unwilling to do justice to those outsiders who treat it well, may result in our having take action to
protect our rights…”
Document J
Except, Wilson’s Speech to Congress, 1917
“The world must be made safe for democracy.”
Name: ______________________________________________
Document Title
Author/Source/Date What
paragraph
would this
document fit
into?
Period: _____
Write how you will incorporate this
source in your paragraph (pay
attention to the citation methods!)