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Opening of the Suez Canal
The Suez Canal was built by the French in collaboration with the Egyptian government in Egyptian soil. The Canal helped pass ships through the Asian and African continent. Helping cut travel times immensely towards Europe and avoiding the original route going around the African continent -
Treaty of Berlin
The Treaty of Berlin was a meeting to split Africa between colonial powers. -
The first Boer War
The First Boer War (Afrikaans: Eerste Vryheidsoorlog, literally "First Freedom War"), was fought from 16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881 between the United Kingdom and Boers of the Transvaal (as the South African Republic was known while under British administration).[1] The war resulted in a Boer victory and eventual independence of the South African Republic. The war is also known as the First Anglo–Boer War, the Transvaal War or the Transvaal Rebellion. -
The Treaty of Shimonoseki
Under the terms of the treaty, China lost suzerainty over Korea; ceded sovereignty of the Penghu (Pescadores) Islands, Taiwan (Formosa) and the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan; agreed to pay substantial war indemnities to Japan; and opened China to Japanese foreign trade. The peace conference took place from March 20 to April 17, 1895. This treaty followed and superseded the Sino-Japanese Friendship and Trade Treaty of 1871.[1][2] -
Jameson Raid
The Jameson Raid, led by Leander Starr Jameson for Cecil Rhodes, aimed to incite British workers in the Transvaal against President Paul Kruger but failed, leading to Rhodes's downfall and strengthening Boer control over the region, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Second Boer War. -
Kruger Telegram
The Kruger Telegram was a message from German Kaiser Wilhelm II to President Paul Kruger of the South African Republic in 1896, congratulating him for repelling the Jameson Raid and offering German support against British aggression. -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War, which took place in 1898, was a major conflict between Spain and the United States, primarily triggered by Cuba's struggle for independence from Spanish rule. This war had far-reaching consequences, marking the emergence of the United States as a global power and resulting in the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines by the United States. -
Fashoda Incident
The Fashoda Incident of 1898 involved a standoff between French and British forces in Sudan over territorial claims in Africa. Led by Captain Jean-Baptiste Marchand and General Horatio Kitchener respectively, both sides sought control over the strategically vital region. Diplomatic negotiations resolved the dispute, with France conceding to British authority in Fashoda in exchange for compensation elsewhere in Africa. -
The Second Boer War
The Second Boer War, fought from 1899 to 1902, was a significant conflict between the British Empire and the Boer republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State in South Africa. It arose primarily from tensions over British imperial ambitions and Boer resistance to British influence. The war resulted in British victory but also significant casualties and scorched-earth tactics, leading to profound changes in South Africa's political landscape. -
US helps put down Boxer Rebellion in China
U.S. marines played a key role in defending the legations during the siege and also joined the multinational force that crushed the Boxers. -
The Gold Standard Act
The Gold Standard Act, signed by President McKinley on March 14, 1900, defined the US dollar by gold weight and required the Treasury to redeem paper currency in gold coin on demand. -
The Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment, passed on March 2, 1901, as part of the 1901 Army Appropriations Bill, outlined eight conditions for the withdrawal of US troops from Cuba after the Spanish–American War, including a treaty requiring Cuba's acceptance of the conditions. -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
The Anglo-Japanese Alliance was formed in 1902 to promote mutual respect and bolster strategic relations between Britain and Japan, primarily aimed at ensuring military dominance in the Far East and securing naval supremacy against potential threats, particularly from Russia. This alliance emerged within the context of the late 19th-century imperialist movements, with conflicts sometimes seeing cooperation between Japan and Britain. -
The Ruso-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War occurred from 1904 to 1905 and was fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over territorial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea. The conflict resulted in a significant victory for Japan, marking the first time an Asian power had defeated a European power in modern warfare, and it led to the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth, brokered by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, which granted Japan control over Korea and certain territories in Manchuria. -
Treaty of Portsmouth
The Treaty of Portsmouth, signed on September 5, 1905, ended the Russo-Japanese War and was mediated by US President Theodore Roosevelt, resulting in territorial concessions for Russia and recognition of Japan's dominance in Korea. -
Algeciras Conference
The Algeciras Conference, held in 1906, aimed to resolve the First Moroccan Crisis and involved European powers discussing Morocco's future, ultimately affirming its independence under French influence but with international oversight, reducing German influence in the region. -
Outbreak of World War 1
World War I began on July 28, 1914, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, escalating due to a complex web of alliances and long-standing tensions among European powers, resulting in a devastating global conflict that lasted until November 11, 1918. -
Opening of Panama Canal
The Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, revolutionizing global trade by providing a crucial shortcut for ships traveling between the two oceans. -
US enters first World War
The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, following a series of provocations including unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram, and mounting public sentiment for intervention. -
Fourteen Point Speech
The Fourteen Points speech was delivered by U.S. President Wilson in January 1918, outlining his vision for a just and lasting peace after World War I. In the speech, Wilson proposed principles such as open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, and self-determination for oppressed peoples, aiming to prevent future conflicts and promote international cooperation. The 14 Points significantly influenced the post-war settlement and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the League of Nations.