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XYZ Affair
When American diplomats arrived at France for negotiations they were met by men demanding bribes before they would bring them to the negotiations. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson purchases the Louisiana territory from Napolean. The amount of land gained effectively tripled the size of the nation. -
Embargo Act of 1807
In response to the seizing of American ships and violations of US neutrality, Jefferson halted all trade between the United States and France and Britain. Though well-intentioned, America did not have the economic weight to force the two sides to a comprimise. Subsequently, the act was a disaster and ruined the American economy, particularly in New England which relied especially on the shipping and trading industries. -
The War of 1812
By 1812, relations between the US and Britain had deteriorated because of the imressment of American Sailors into the British Navy, British support of the frequent Indian raids on American settlements, and the trade restrictions that Britain had imposed on the US because of her relationship with France, with whom Britain was at war. -
The Treaty of Ghent
The treaty that officially ended the War of 1812, the actual conflict resulted in no net change of territory from the pre-war boundaries. It should be noted that this treaty had no effect until ratified in Cangress later in early 1815. -
Monroe Doctrine
The doctrine stated that there can be no more European colonization in the Americas. The United States would not interfere with pre-existing colonies. -
The Mexican American War
This war erupted over the boundaries of Texas. Texas had previously rebelled from Mexico in 1836, but Mexico continued to recognize Texas as its territory. When Polk annexed Texas in 1845, Mexico then claimed the border to be the Nueces River instead of the now-recognized Rio Grande. The War was a rout for the US, with Generals Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor trumping Mexican General/President Antonio López de Santa Anna. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Threaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican American War and called for the United States to pay $15 million to Mexico and pay off the claims of American citizens against Mexico up to $3.25 million. It also boundary for Texas to the Rio Grande, and gave the U.S. ownership of California, as well as a large area comprising New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado. -
Joseph Pulitzer Founds New York World
Joseph Pulitzer ran this paper from 1860 to 1931, it was a democratic newspaper and it was also a pioneer in yellow journalism, which ended up exaggerating foreign situations and curving the Public's opinions in an attempt to gain an audience. -
Reciprocity Treaty of 1875
This treaty gave Americans duty free Hawaiian sugar. -
The US Aquires Rights to Pearl Harbor
The United States annexed Pearl Harbor, and it served as a significant pressence for the United States Pacific operations -
The Influence of Sea Power upon History
Alfred Thayer Mahan saying that America needed to have a strong navy if it was to assert its intersts in world politics. -
Queen Lili'uokalani is overthrown
Queen Lili'uokalani was overthrown and replaced by a provisional government until July 4th 1894 -
Hearst founds New York Journal
In 1895, William Randolf Hearst bought a failing paper and hired writers like Stephen Crane to wage a publication war against competitor Joseph Pulitzer. This competition led the 2 papers to publish sensationalist headlines in an effort to gain readers. -
McKinley annexes Hawaii
After existing as the Republic of Hawaii for 4 years since Lili'ukalani was overthrown, William McKinley annexed Hawaii after Cleveland refused to. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty officially ends the Spanish-American War and, in exchange for $20 Million, the US obtained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Phillipines. This shocked many anti-imperialists, and the occupation of the Phillipines actually led to rebellion later. -
Philippine Insurrection
The people of the Phillippines were not happy about the results of the Treaty of Paris, which, to them, simply replaced one imperialist ruler with another. Because of this, the First Philippine Republic (led by Emilio Aguinaldo) officially declared war against the United States on June 2, 1899. -
Open Door Policy
McKinley issued this policy due to concerns that China would eventually trade exclusively with Europe, thus losing America a place to sell their goods. McKinley proclaimed that every nation should have a chance to trade with China, and that "spheres of influence" weren't fair. -
Boxer Rebellion
Tired of European and other foreign influence, the Chinese rose up and attempted to expel all foreign "aliens" from the country. In the first ever gathering of troops from all white nations, the rebellion was put down quickly and announced America's military influence in the Imperial world. -
Panama Canal
America started construction after Pres. Theodore Roosevelt negotiated a deal for a small strip of land in the thinnest section of Panama. In order to get the best price, Roosevelt negotiated a gentleman's agreement with Panamanian Aristocrat Phillipe Bunau-Varilla to assist the Panamanian Rebellion in eschange for a discounted rate. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Theodoe Roosevelt declared that the United States had the power to police American interests in the Western Hemispher. -
Santo Domingo Crisis
When the Dominican Republic went deeply into debt in 1903, the US declared that it would collect the $32 million that the Dominicans owed to the citizens France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the United States because it didn't want foreign warships prowling the Caribbean. This was the 1st time that Roosevelt would exercise his "Roosevelt Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine. -
Roosevelt Oversees the resolution of the Russo-Japanese War
From June until September, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt brokered a peace deal between Russia and Japan, known as the Treaty of Portsmouth, and won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for his actions. -
Roosevelt's Gentleman's Agreement
IAlready familiar with the Japanese from his mediation during the Russo-Japanese War, Theodore Roosevelt met with the Japanese in 1907 to discuss a solution regarding Japanese presence on the West Coast. The Japanese were unhappy about their immigrants' schoolchildren being segregated, and America was concerned about the increasing concentration of Japanese and other Asian immigrants. Roosevelt and Japan reached an agreement where schools would be integrated to Asians, and Japan would restrict t -
Panama Canal Finished
Theodore Roosevelt's project of building a canal to connect the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic finally came to fruition on August 15, 1914, symbolizing America's emergence as a world power. -
Wilson's Fourteen Points
Speech given by Woodrow Wilson to congress to present Americas new foreign policy. It did not pass. -
League of Nations Rejected
39 senators rejected the proposed League of Nations. -
Washington Arms Conference
A military conference called by Warren G. Harding, held between the United States, Japan, and Europe. Resulted in three major treaties: the Four Power Treaty, the Five Power Treaty, and the Nine Power Treaty. Britain and America promised not to fortify the far east. There was a ten year holiday on building ships. -
Dawes Plan
An attempt to resolve Germany's reperation problems. America gave money to Germany, so that Germany could pay off its debt to Britain, Britain then gave America money because America had supplied Britain before and during the war. -
US intervention in Nicaragua
US marines intervene in Nicaragua to forcibly end aggresion in the nation. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact
Renounced use of war globally to aim for a peaceful future for the world to live in. Promoted peaceful settlement of disputes and called for collective force to prevent aggression. -
Good Neighbor Policy
President Franklin Roosevelt stated that The United States would no longer interfere with Latin American Nations. The U.S.A. withdrew all of its soldiers and garrisons from any nations that were occupied in Latin America. This pointed towards American isolationism. -
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Neutrality acts
A series of acts that resulted from Hostility in both Europe and Asia which eventually become World War II. Further steps taken by the American Government to push towards isolationism and non-interventionalism. Started with a ban on trade, loans, and credit to any belligerent nation. As time went on the and war in Europe and Asia progressed, the acts became less strict and and more trade was allowed. -
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Events leading to WWII
Quarantine Speech: Roosevelt gave a speech saying that the conflicts in Europe should be kept in Europe. America would not be involved.
Cash and Carry: 1939, America agreed to supply belligerent nations so long as they would pay for it in advance and carry it on their own ships.
Lend-Lease: 1941 America would send weapons to nations vital to the American cause so long as they were returned later. -
Pictures of Events Leading up to WWII
The bearded man is labeled: "Neutrality Acts", and the ship is labeled: "Aid that will win" -
The Munich Agreement (Appeasement)
"Appeasement Junction": "I assure you, Sam, that the train turns off right here!" -
Pictures for Events Leading to WWII
(Tree labeled Britain) After that tree falls, he'll surely get tired! -
Pictures of Events Leading up to WWII
The woman with the book (the book is labeled: "Adolf the Wolf" is labeled: "America 1st" and she is saying, "...and the wolf chewed up the children and spat out their bones, but those were FOREIGN CHILDREN and it really didn't matter." -
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Events leading to World War II part II
Destroyers for bases: America would exchange warships for British Naval Bases. Informal alliance.
Atlantic Charter: American and British agreement for post-war world. No change in territory, self-determination. Stated that during the war any German ships seen in American waters would be shot on sight. More formal alliance with Britain. -
Iron Curtain Speech
Upset by Stalin's creation of puppett states surrounding th Soviet Union, Winston Churchill delivers the Iron Curtain speech in 1946. In the speech, he warns of a divide between democratic Western Europe and the communist East. -
The Long Telegram
George Kennan outlined the US' Cold War strategy in the late 1940's. The Containment strategy would represent America's stance for the next 40 years. -
Truman Doctrine
Doctrine signed by US which stated that if Turkey or Greece were attacked by another nation, namely the USSR, then America would send economic and military aid. -
The Marshall Plan
America sends supplies and money to Europe to help repair damages caused by WWII. Was done in part to spread American influence and decrease the Soviet's -
Berlin Blockade Begins
The blockade lasted until May 12, 1949. Upset with the allignment of West Germany with the democratic powers of Western Europe, Stalin cut off Berlin from the rest of West Germany. The successful airlifting of supplies to citezens was a significant success for the US and Britain. -
Formation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded. All nations who are part of it will come to the other's aid if one is attacked. -
Soviets Explode First Atomic Bomb
Another phase in the Arms Race. -
The Fall of China
A communist revolution lead by chairman Mao Zedong succeeds and overthrows US-supported Chiang Kai-Shek, who is exiled to Taiwan. This event directly leads to the downfall of President Truman and changes the game by further expanding communist influence in the East. -
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Korean War
The first proxy war of the US-Soviet conflict, Communist backed North Korea led by Kim Il-Sung attacked US backed South Korea (Rhee Syng-Manin 1950). There was no net territorial gain during the war and the participation of China led to increased tensions for years to come. -
Election of Dwight Eisenhower
"Ike" defeated Adlai Stevenson in 1952 on the Republican ticket. Eisenhower promised to be "tough on communism" and vowed to assert America's place in foreign affairs after the Fall of China under Truman -
Warsaw Pact Formed
The response to NATO, the Soviet Union bound its sattelite states together in a protective alliance. -
Hungarian Revolution of 1956
Eisenhower backed Hungarian rebels in their attempt to overthrow Soviet-inposed policiesissued under the Warsaw Pact. Eisenhower didn't send in troops because he didn't want another war so soon after what had happened in Korea. -
The Suez Canal Chrisis
After Egypt seized control of the Suez Canal, France, Britain, and Israel sent in armed response to free the canal. After some fighting and bombing America stepped in and attempted to bring an end to the conflict. By march of the following year, all attacking and occupying forces were withdrawn and the canal was freed. -
Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro, Raul Castro, Che Guevara, and others successfuly instigate a rebelllion and take control of Cuba. Relationships with the US quickly turned frosty and led to Castro alligning himself with the USSR. -
U-2 Incident
A humiliation to the US, the USSR shot down a sophisticated spy plane that was billed as a weather plane after the incident, however, the USSR was able to obtain both the plane and the live pilot, thus proving that the US was spying over Soviet territory. -
Bay of Pigs
Another embarassment to the US, Kennedy went against his military advisors and supported an insurrection in Cuba against Fidel Castro. Fearful of evidence of US involvement, Kennedy withdrew air support and doomed the invasion. -
Test-Ban Treaty
Treaty between America and the USSR agreeing that all nuclear tests will be performed underground and not in the atmosphere. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Tensions in Vietnam erupted when NVA ships attacked American vessels in he Gulf of Tonkin. Preident Lyndon B. Johnson successfully appealed to Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, and later a full-fledged war, to pursue action "to deter further aggression." -
My Lai
US troops kill what they think is hundreds of Vietcong; however, the village turns out to harbor no Vietcong. -
Détente
Nixons strategic method of reducing tensions with th USSR and China -
Apollo 11
The pinnacle of the Space Race, the US emerged victorious after a long, expensive competition to send a man to the moon. -
Vietnamization
Replacing US troops with Vietnamese troops. -
Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty.
Restricts US and Soviet testing and deployment of defensive systems. -
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty I
The Soviet Union and the US aggreed not to expand nuclear armory for five years. -
Paris Accords
Ended hostilities between America and North Vietnam -
Oil Embargo
OPEC put an oil embargo on the United States after the US had supported Israel in the Yom Kippur war. -
Threshold Test Ban Treaty
Establishes limits on size of underground tests. -
Camp Davids Accords
Led to Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, and Egypt recognizing Israel as a Nation. -
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II
Limits strategic launch vehicles and delivery craft and restricts the development of new missiles. -
Funding of Contras
CIA funds contra war against Nicaragua's Sandanistas. -
Strategic Arms Reduction Talks
Sought a 5o percent reduction in US and Soviet strategic nuclear weapons. -
Iran-contra scandal
The US managed to fund the Contras through giving weapons to Israel, who then sells old weapons to Iran, and the money is then send to the Contras. -
Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces
Commits th US and Soviet Union to withdraw their intermediate-range nuclear missiles from Eastern and Western Europe and to destroy them. -
START Treaty
Provides for a 25 percent cut in US and Soviet strategic nuclear weapons. -
Somali Civil War
The US sends troops to Somalia to help the starving people; it backfuies however, when rebels shoot down a US helicopter. -
North American Free Trade Agreement
Mexican imports will not hav tariffs in the US or in Canada. -
Oslo Accords
An attempt in 1993 to set up a framework that would lead to the resolution of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict -
Dayton Accords
Ended the three and a half year long Bosnian War. -
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
Bans all nuclear tests and explosions; 179 nations have ratified the Treaty. President Clinton signed it, but the Senate rejected it in 1999. -
Kosovo War
The US sends forces to intervene ib the ongoing war between the Kosovo Liberation Army, and the Federak Republic of Yugoslavia. -
Taliban Regime
US and allied forces overthrow the Taliban Regime in Afghanistan. -
Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reduction.
Requires deep cuts in number of US and Soviet warheads by 2012. -
Irag War
US and coalition forces invade Iraq. -
Nuclear Power in India
The US sells India nuclear fuel and reactor parts. -
Iraq War continued
President Bush sends more troops to Iraq, violence declines as a result -
Iraq War continued
The United States and Iraq set timetable for US troop withdrawals.
