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Seward's Icebox
Secretary of State, William Seward, arranged the purchase of Alaska from the Russians in 1867. It is bought by the U.S. for 7.2 million dollars. -
Midway Islands Annexed
The US annexes the Midway Islands, an uninhabited island chain in the pacific. -
Pearl Harbor Acquired
The United States acquires exclusive access to Pearl Harbor. -
Queen Liliuokalani Becomes Queen of Hawaii
Queen Liliuokalani becomes queen of Hawaii. She is the last sovereign monarch of Hawaii. -
De Lome Letter Controversy
A letter from the Spanish diplomat, De Lome, is intercepted and published in the New York Times. The letter calls McKinley a weak president and angers many Americans. -
USS Maine Explodes
The American warship, USS Maine, explodes in Havana harbor. It is blamed on the Spanish by yellow journalists, but the real cause was probably a fire. 260 people die. -
Period: to
Spanish American War
The Spanish-American War was a war fought between Spain and the United States over the issue of Cuba's independence. The United States wanted to protect their business interests in Cuba, which were threatened by the Spanish, and as a result, this war broke out. The United States emerged victoriously and annexed Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. -
Battle of Manila Bay
George Dewey, an American Commodore, leads a successful naval attack on Manila Bay. His victory allows the US to annex the Philippines. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill was a major battle fought by the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War. Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders up the nearby Kettle Hill. -
Acquisition of Hawaii
President McKinley annexes Hawaii, even though the Hawaiians did not get to vote on it -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War. Cuba gained independence, and the US was given the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. -
Period: to
Philippine-American War
The Filipinos did not want American rule, so they rose up against the Americans in an insurrection. It was led by Emilio Aguinaldo. -
Open Door Notes
U.S. Secretary of State, John Hay, asked other Imperialist powers to share trading rights in China. -
Foraker Act
The Foraker Act established a civil government in Puerto Rico. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment is added to the newly independent Cuba's constitution. It said all treaties must be approved by the US. -
Teddy Roosevelt Becomes President
Teddy Roosevelt becomes president after William McKinley gets assassinated. -
Panama Gains Independence
The US aided Panama in gaining independence from Colombia, to buy the land to build the Panama Canal. -
Treaty of Portsmouth
Roosevelt mediates negotiations between Russia and Japan, ending the Russo-Japanese War. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary was added to the Monroe Doctrine. It stated that the US would intervene in Latin America to keep the peace. -
Wilson Becomes President
Woodrow Wilson is elected president. -
Marines Invade Veracruz
Woodrow Wilson sends Marines to the port of Veracruz. War almost breaks out between Mexico and America. -
Panama Canal Opens for Business
The Panama Canal officially opens for business. -
Philippine Independence
The Philippines finally gains independence. -
Alaska Becomes a State
Alaska officially becomes a state. -
Hawaii Becomes a State
Hawaii officially becomes a state
