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America's acquisition of Alaska
William Seward - Secretary of state, arranged for the US to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Many people believed that this was a waste of money and called this purchase, “Seward's Icebox.” Later the purchase of Alaska allowed us to obtain many natural resources that we still use today -
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America's aquisition of Hawaii
In 1867 the United States occupied the midway islands and slowly took control of Hawaii. The US Marines later took over control of the Queen of Hawaii and set up a government leaded by, Sanford B. Dole. In 1898 William McKinley persuaded the government into annexing Hawaii into a US territory. In 1959, Hawaii finally became the 50th state in the United States. -
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America Desires Military Strength
Alfred T. Mahan urges the US government officials to build american naval power and compete with other nations. Result the US built 9 steel-hulled cruisers between 1883 and 1890 -
The building of the Naval Base on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
The US in 1887 built a Naval Base on Pearl Harbor and many Hawaii natives were not happy of this. -
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Thirst for new markets
Late 19th century - The US advanced in technology so much that American farms and factories produced far more than American citizens could consume. -
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Belief in Cultural Superiority
Americans started combining Social Darwinism and with racial superiority. THe US argued that they had the right to spread Christianity to the worlds inferior people -
The Second War for Independence
Jose Marti launched a rebellion against the Cuban resistance on Spain to anger the United States into going to war with Spain. This rebellion destroyed many plantations owned by US citizens. -
De Lome Letter
The De Lome Letter - a letter sent and intercepted in February 1898. This letter was published by a journalist and states that this letter calls President McKinley a loser and idiot. -
Journalist Influence on the Spainish-American war
Many US journalists wrote and persuaded many US citizens to want war with Spain to free the Cubans and help them gain independence from Spain. This helps persuade the US government to go to war with Spain in 1898. -
Roosevelt and the End of the Cuban War
Roosevelt volunteers as a Rough Rider. The Rough RIder’s area group of troops ranging from athletes to Texas Rangers. Teddy Roosevelt becomes a national hero for the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. This war ends the Spanish-American war -
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Spanish-American war timespan
The Spanish American war lasts from April to August 1898 -
The USS Maine Explodes
On February 15, 1898, the ship blew up in the harbor of Havana. More than 260 men were killed. This ship helped evacuate many US citizens to leave Cuba since tensions were growing between Cuba and Spain -
The Treaty of Paris
The US and Spain meet in Paris to formulate the Treaty of Paris. Spain frees Cuba and gives US the islands of Guam and much more. The US continues to fight in the Philippines against rebels lead by Emilio Aquinaldo. -
Philippine-American War
Philippine–American War In February 1899, the Filipinos, led by Aguinaldo, rose in revolt against the US -
The Open Door Notes
U.S. Secretary of State John Hay issued, in 1899 the Open Door notes. The Open Door notes asked for permission to allow the United States to trade and make deals with China. China in return accepted these notes and allowed their doors to open. -
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Foraker Act
Foraker Act - ended the military rule in Puerto RIco and set up a Social Government for their citizens. In 1901 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution did not apply to people in acquired territories. In 1917 Congress granted Puerto Ricans the right to elect both houses of their legislature. -
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Luis Munoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera was one of the most vocal advocates of Puerto Rican self-rule. 1900-1916 Munoz worked to gain independence from the US for Puerto Rican independence. In 1916 the US House of Representatives allowed Luis Munoz Rivera to speak about the future of Puerto Rician independence. -
Teddy Roosevelt becomes President
President McKinley is shot in 1901 and Teddy Roosevelt becomes President -
Platt Amendment
Platt Amendment - in 1900 the Cuban government wrote a constitution for their independence. In 1901 the US government helped Cuba improve their constitution to help them become a better government. -
Panama Canal and Panama Independence
In 1903, President Teddy Roosevelt and Congress decided to use the panama route and agreed to buy the French route for $40 million. Before beginning the Panama canal the US had to persuade Panama to gain independence from Colombia. Bunau-Varilla helped Panama gain their independence. -
Panama Canal Construstion
On November 3 1903 The United States accompanied Panama with dozens of warships for the declaration of their independence. 15 days after their independence the US and Panama signed an agreement which the US pays $10 million and an anual rent of $250,000 to rent the area across the Panama Canal. These payments started in 1913 -
Intervention in Mexico
In April 1914, a small group of Americans were arrested in Tampico, Mexico. Mexico quickly apologized but PResident Woodrow Wilson used this as an excuse to intervene and send Marines into Veracruz. Eighteen Americans and at least 200 Mexicans died during the invasion. This invasion almost brought America and Mexico into war with each other. -
The Panama Canal is Open
The construction of the Panama canal started in 1903 and ended in 1914. The Panama canal employed more than 43,000 employees and more than 5,600 employees died during the construction. On August 15, 1914 the Panama canal opened for business. During the first year more than 1,000 ships crossed the panama canal for business. -
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President Wilson and Mexico tensions
In June 1916, President Wilson ordered General John J. Pershing aadn 15,000 soldiers into Mexico to capture Francisco “Pancho” Villa. The Mexican government demanded a withdrawl of the US troops and in 1917 President Wilson ordered his troops to retreat out of Mexico -
Results of the War
Under American rule, the Philippines moved gradually toward independence and finally became an independent republic on July 4, 1946.