APUSH Period 7- Quick Tip #apush

A NOTE and a BOAT caused America to enter not one but TWO major wars in Period 7.

First is the Spanish-American War. The NOTE was the De Lome Letter, written by a Spanish Ambassador calling President McKinley weak. Americans were outraged at a letter that openly criticized their president, increasing Anti-Spanish sentiments. And The BOAT was the USS Maine- Yellow Journalists had a field day reporting on this one. They convinced Ammericans that a Spanish mine blew up the ship, and war was declared just 2 months later.

You probably won’t be asked about battles of the Spanish American War, but remember, American victory in this war caused controversy, especially after acquiring new territories like the Philippines.

Second is World War I. The BOAT was the Lusitania. While this was actually a British passenger ship, 128 Americans onboard were killed when it was attacked by a German U-boat. The attack fueled anti-German feelings and was part of the strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare that eventually brought America into war. the primary motivation behind Wilson's decision to lead the US into World War I after having run on an anti-war platform.

And The NOTE was the Zimmerman Telegram: This note was sent from a German Foreign Secretary to Mexico proposing an alliance which promised to help Mexico gain back the territory lost in the Mexican-American War.

Remember, in Period 7 we are witnessing a CHANGE in American foreign policy. From the Spanish American War to the founding of the United Nations, America gradually abandoned its tradition of isolationism.

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