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Difficulty: EasyImperialism and the Spanish-American War

Source: Theodore Roosevelt, speech titled "The Strenuous Life," delivered in Chicago, Illinois, April 10, 1899.

"If we stand idly by, if we seek merely swollen, slothful ease and ignoble peace, if we shrink from the hard contests where men must win at hazard of their lives and at the risk of all they hold dear, then the bolder and stronger peoples will pass us by, and will win for themselves the domination of the world."

Which of the following late-nineteenth-century foreign policy developments was most directly justified by the ideas expressed in the excerpt?

  1. The acquisition of overseas territories following the Spanish-American WarAnswer
  2. B
    The entry of the United States into World War I following the sinking of the Lusitania
  3. C
    The creation of military alliances to protect Latin American nations from European colonization
  4. D
    The complete withdrawal of the United States from international trade and diplomatic relations

Answer

The acquisition of overseas territories following the Spanish-American War
The correct answer is correct because Roosevelt's advocacy for active global involvement and expansion directly justified the acquisition of overseas territories like the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico in the treaty ending the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical context and argument of the stimulus.
Theodore Roosevelt's 1899 speech argues against isolationism ('ignoble peace') and calls for the United States to compete with other global powers to avoid being left behind.
Understanding the author's purpose is key to identifying what historical actions the ideas were meant to support.
2
Connect the argument to foreign policy actions in the late nineteenth century.
In 1898, the United States defeated Spain and acquired its colonies, sparking a debate between imperialists (who shared Roosevelt's view) and anti-imperialists.
This links the intellectual justification to the concrete actions of the period.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the correct application.
The acquisition of territories like the Philippines directly demonstrates the application of Roosevelt's expansionist philosophy.
This confirms the correct option based on historical causation and alignment of ideas.

Key Concept

Imperialism and the Spanish-American War
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Topics

Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

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