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The Purchase of Alaska
Territory had been a major dispute between European powers, but ended up being an economic burden on Russia, who tried to give it to Sweden (who represented U.S.). This made for good resources and power over Britain. -
Alfred Thayer Mahan
Wrote the novel, 'The Importance of Sea Power Upon History', the novel argued that a strong navy was crucial in securing world markets and becoming a world superpower. Persuaded Congress to finance the production of steel ships and acquisition of islands for resources. -
Cause of Spanish-American War
Due to the overwhelming support of war against Spanish because of jingoism, an intense form of nationalism, that led to aggressive foreign policies. United States was practically begging to become a world power. -
Yellow Press During Spanish-American War
Prompted war fever with bold headlines and made false accusations against the Spanish atrocities in Cuba. Which urges Americans to intervene in Cuba to stop atrocities and suffering. -
Overthrow of Hawaii
American settlers aided the overthrown of the Hawaiian Monarchy. however, Cleveland opposed Republican efforts to annex Hawaii. -
Cuban Revolt During Spanish-American War
Over many years, various Cuban nationalists fought to over throw Spanish rule and attempted to force the Spanish to withdraw and help the United States fight against them. Response of the Spanish was to send thousands of troops to suppress the revolt. -
War Outbreak Over Hawaii and Philippines
The fight for the Philippines gave McKinley and Congress the pretext to finish the annexation. -
Treaty of Paris
'Treaty of Peace,' that recognized Cuban independence and the U.S. purchase of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. -
Results of Spanish-American War
Imperialism was a major issue, even after the ratification of the Treaty of Paris. Anti-Imperialist League, led by William Jennings Bryan, opposed the expansion into the Pacific -
U.S. becomes World Power
U.S. victory brought pride to all Americans, and make Southern states more attached to the Union. France, GB, and other European powers recognized the U.S. as a first-class power with a strong navy and the willingness to take active roles in international affairs. -
Start of Philippine-American War
Controversy over the Treaty of Paris, the Filipinos thought that the U.S. was violating their own Declaration of Independence, because annexing the Philippines would ultimately deprive them of, 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' and create political conflict in Asia. -
Hawaii Territory
Hawaiian islands became U.S. territory and overtime progressed as a state. This helped the United States in expansion of land and gave them more power. -
Election of 1900
Republican candidate was McKinley, because he was a 'war hero,' while the Democratic candidate was William Jennings Bryan, who attacked the growth of American imperialism. -
Boxer Rebellion
Ending of the 19th century, started the rise in nationalism and xenophobia in China. Chinese nationalists, the Society of Harmonious Fists (or Boxers), attacked foreign settlements and killed plenty of Christian missionaries. To keep American lives and property safe, U.S. troops invaded and forced the Boxer rebellion down. -
Big Stick Diplomacy
McKinley was fatally shot and VP, Theodore Roosevelt, was succeeded into office. He believed in this foreign policy, where his motto was, "speak softly and carry a big stick." -
Russo-Japanese War
Imperialist rivalry between Russia and Japan led to war. To end the war. Roosevelt arranged for a diplomatic conference between the representatives of each nation. While both nations signed the Treaty of Portsmouth, Japan blamed U.S. for not getting all they wanted from China. -
Cuba and the Platt Amendment
Although resented by Cuban nationalists, this Amendment required Cuba to never sign a treaty with a foreign power that ceased its independence, to not build high debt, to allow U.S. to intervene in Cuba's affairs to keep its independence and maintain law and order, and allow U.S. to keep its naval bases. -
Insular Cases
Philippines questioned whether the U.S. constitution applied to the territories that were under U.S. control. Anti-Imperialist argued they did, but Imperialists argued they did no, and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Imperialists. Rights were not automatically given to territories, but were decided to be given by Congress. -
Panama Revolution
Roosevelt was eager to start the development of a canal through the terrain pot the isthmus of Panama. He supported a revolt in Panama, where the U.S. backed, which caused the rebellion succeeding immediately with little bloodshed. -
Panama Canal
A result of the Spanish-American War, the new American empire reached from Puerto Rico in the Caribbean to the Philippines in the Pacific. -
Dollar Diplomacy in Latin American and East Asia
Taft believed that private American financial investment in China and nations of Central American would lead to greater stability, while also promoting U.S. business interests. -
William Howard Taft and Dollar Diplomacy
Taft adopted a foreign policy that was mildly expansionist but depended more on investors' money than on navy's battleships. -
China Railroads
William Taft first tested his policy in China. Taft wanted U.S. bankers to be included in a British, French, and German plan to invest in railroads in China. This was accomplished from him securing American participation in a signed agreement. -
Mexico Conflict
Wilson's moral approach to foreign affairs was tested by war in Mexico. Wanting democracy to triumph, Wilson refused ro recognize military dictatorship of General Huerta, who had seized power in Mexico by arranging the assassination of democratic presidential candidate. -
Spark of World War I
With the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the government of Austria-Hungary delivered an ultimatum to Serbia. Who was invaded four days later. -
Tampico Incident
To aid a revolutionary faction that was fighting Huerta, Wilson wanted an arms embargo against the Mexican government. A fleet of American soldiers were arrested on the Tampico shore by Mexican authorities, but were soon released. Although demanded by U.S. naval officer to apologize, Huerta refused causing Wilson to retaliate. War seemed to be the only option until it was averted by South American A.B.C. powers, who offered to meditate the dispute. -
Sinking of Lusitania
U.S. remained neutral during the first few years of WWI, but then a German U-boat shoots a torpedo at U.S. passenger ship. This marks the end of U.S. neutrality. -
Zimmerman Telegram
Germany sent a telegram to Mexico asking to work together, but was intercepted by Britain. Wilson believed the act showed that Germany wanted U.S. to join war. -
Loans and Taxes
Wilson's war government managed to raise billions of dollars by using loans and taxes to help fund war. Congress imposed excise tax to help fund the government. -
Russian Revolution
Russian revolutionists overthrow the Czar of Russia and create a republic, which later developed into a Communist government. -
The Fourteen Points
Wilson drafted the fourteen points as a way to achieve war aims. Most of the points relate to territorial questions regarding France, but the overall point was a world peace organization. -
Treaty of Versailles
A peace treaty created by the 'Big Four' (U.S., France, Britain, Italy) and all Allied forces. The treaty resulted in Germany paying for all the damages done in the war and the creation of the League of Nations. -
Red Scare
After the war, Russia became a communist country and all of the anti-German hysteria turned into an anti-communist hysteria.
