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U.S. Acquires Alaska
William Seward was an early supporter of American expansion. He proposed for the U.S. to purchase Alaska, a land rich in timber, minerals, and oil, from the Russians for about $7.2 million. The acquirence of Alaska was the first act of American Imperialism that later fueled the urge of the U.S. to extend its power. -
Woman Suffrage
Woman suffrage, by definition, is the right for women to vote. Throught the history of the U.S. women have been the underdogs in society. Things finally took a turn during the progressive era. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, two strong proponents for women rights, founded the NWSA which later became the NAWSA. Woman Suffrage was important during the progressive movement because it was one of the many examples that brought women to a more distinguished role in society. -
The U.S. Maine Explodes
The U.S.S. Maine was ordered to Havana to bring home American citizens in danger from the fighting. Mysteriously, it exploded in the harbor of Havana, killing 260 men. No one really knows why the ship exploded, but the U.S. still blamed Spain. This was a significant point of U.S. imperialism because it sparked our drive and was the last straw to go to war with Spain in an attempt to take Cuba for our desires and thirst for new markets. -
Philippine-American War
The Philippine-American War was sparked by American imperialism. The Filipinos, who were led by Emilio Aguinaldo, rose in revolt. When Aguinaldo used guerilla tactics, the U.S. forced Filipinos to live in designated zones, where poor sanitation, starvation, and disease killed thousands which was the same practice that we condemned Spain for using. The war symbolized American imperialism because we imposed our militarism authority on a colony fighting for freedom. -
Open Door Notes
The Open Door Notes were a series of policy statements issued to the leaders of imperialist nations proposing that the nations share their trading rights, specifically in China, with the United States. They were created by John Hay becuase the U.S. began to fear that China would be carved into colonies and American traders would be shut out. The Open Door Notes was another example for the U.S. to expand their economic and political power, in this case, to protect and invest in trading. -
1902 Coal Strike
The Coal Strike of 1902 began when about 140,000 workers went on strike that demanded a 20% raise, a 9-hour workday, and the right to organize a union. It finally ended on October 23, 1902 because of Roosevelts actions. This strike was important to the progressive era because it was the first time a president acted on something that was not part of the constitution. His actions demonstrated a new principle that the federal government could interven when a strike threatened public welfare. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment was a series of provisions that the U.S. wanted to add to the newly formed Cuban constitution. It stated that Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any part of territory, the U.S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba, Cuba was not to go into debt, and the U.S. could buy or lease land on the island. It signified another U.S. attempt to expand their rule and become a greater threat for global competion. -
Conservation
Conservation is a technique used for preservation, protection, or restoration of a natural environment. It meant that some wilderness areas would be preserved while others would be developed for the common good. Conservation became a key concept during the Progressive era because society has never really thought about conserving things until it became a concern. It was a new idea that changed views becuase most Americans view our resources as endless and never really thought about extintion. -
Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair was a famous muckraker during the Progressive era. Upton began research for a novel (The Jungle) in 1904 which focused on the human condition in the stockyards of Chicago. I considered him one of my 15 because he revealed the contrast between companies and their workers and how businesses exploit the labor of men and women for profits. He was important during the progressive movement because, through his actions, he helped the common citizen for a change in the workforce. -
Federal Reserve System
The Federal Reserve System was President Wilson's solution to establish an independent self-running private banking system under federal control. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 divided the nation into 12 districts and established a regional central bank in each district. This was significant for the Progressive Era because our nation needed a change to strengthen the ways in which banks are run and a way to quickly adjust the amount of money in circulation. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was an influencial individual that was heir to the Austrian throne after Franz Joseph. In the summer months of 1914, he visited the country of Bosnia. As he was on his tour of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, Serbian nationalist and member of the Black Hand, Gavrilo Princip stepped from the crowd and shot him and his wife. I consider this important to WWI because it was the major event that finally sparked the differences of nations to declare war. -
Trench Warfare
Trench Warfare was a way in which armies fought in mere YARDS of ground and often occured by stalemates. This technique began when the allies were unable to save Belgium and retreated to the Marne River in France where they halted the german advance in September of 1914. After struggling to outflank each others armies, both sides dug trenches and introduced this method. It was important during WWI because it was the main style of fighting. Front line, support, and reserve trenches. -
Convoy System
German U-boat attacks were a constant threat during WWI. The solution was the convoy system. The convoy system was a tactic used in which a heavy guarding of destroyers escort merchant ships across the Atlantic in groups. This effect was suppose to intimidate German submarines and possibly prevent them from attacking. The convoy system was distinguished during WWI for the protection and safety of civilians. It was also an important stradegy because shipping losses had been cut in half. -
Battle of Cantigny
The Battle of Cantigny was the 1st battle of the AEF. A regiment of the American 1st Division (about 4,000 troops) captured the village of Cantigny from the German offensive. Total devastation was brought to the village. American losses were around 1,067, but they captured about 100 prisoners. This battle was the most important to me because it tested the ability of the AEF and it was the first battle where U.S. troops filled gaps between French and British lines during the German offensive. -
The Armistice
The collapse of Germany was marked when Austira-Hungary surrendered, German sailors mutinied against gov. authority, and groups of soldiers and workers organized revolutionary councils. Kaiser gave up the thrown when socialist leaders established a German republic. Although the Germans surrendered through the Armistice. The Armistice was important because it was the event that ended the war which in return stopped the fighting, catastrophe, and devestation across Europe.
