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The Purchase of Alaska
Russia controlled Alaska but saw it as a burden because of threat from the British and it had no economic value. So William H. Seward, the Secretary of State, influenced congress to buy Alaska for 7.2 million dollars. (Pg. 410) -
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Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was a short war in Cuba that lasted a couple of months. The US condemned Spain for violating the Monroe Doctrine and threatened Spain to leave or face the consequences. But mysteriously the USS Maine exploded in the Havana Harbor in Cuba, which ultimately lead the US to go to war with Spain anyway. Some would say that the United States went to Cuba with the purpose of annexing it and making a profit off of it. (Pg. 412) -
Annexation of Hawaii
Hawaii was targeted for annexation by the United States because it offered strategic economic and military opportunities. The United States found the region attractive due to its sugar plantations, which had enough capacity to produce products that would be used locally for both domestic and industrial purposes. (Pg. 414) -
Election of 1900
In 1900, President William McKinley was running for his second term and saw a large margin of victory because the public approved of American Imperialism because it caused new national economic prosperity and global power. (Pg. 416) -
Cuba and the Platt Amendment
Even after the end of the Spanish-American war, US troops stayed in Cuba till 1901. They only left when Cuba agreed to never sign a treaty with a foreign nation that challenged its independence, allow the US to intervene in Cuba’s affair to keep the peace and order, and finally allow the US to maintain naval bases in Cuba including the one in Guantanamo bay. (Pg. 416) -
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Great White Fleet
The fleet was an around-the-world cruise of 16 battleships to showcase American naval power. This astonishing event was coordinated by president Theodore Roosevelt. (Pg. 419) -
Panama Canal
America wanted a way move ships from the Atlantic to Pacific quickly. If they did that, they would control both oceans for economical and expansion purposes. Building lasted 10 years and hundreds of workers lost their lives. (Pg. 418)
