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Alaska Purchase
William Seward, former Secretary of State, proposed that America should buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. It turned out to be a great investment due to the minerals and oil found there. Alaska later became a state in 1959. -
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Reasons for American Imperialism
Four Factors:
1. Economic competition.
2. Political and military competition.
3. Foreign trade.
3. Racial and cultural superiority. -
America's acquisition of Hawaii
White American sugar plantation owners took up the majority of Hawaii. The McKinley Tariff of 1890 took away the free-duty importation of Hawaiin sugar. The white planters called for annexation so they wouldn't have to pay. Sanford B. Dole overthrew Queen Liliuokalani and Hawaii became American territory. -
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The Spanish American War Extended
Cuba wanted their own independence so bad that they went to a second war for independence with Spain. American opinions were split because investors wanted to keep their investments in Cuba while others wanted Cuba to have their own independence. The De Lome Letter insulted our president and put Americans on edge but wasn't the only thing that influenced war with Spain. -
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The Spanish American War Events
A few days following the letter, the U.S.S Maine exploded and America blams it on Spain. On April 21, 1898, America declares war with Spain. War was in the Philippines, the Caribbean Islands, and Cuba. The Treaty of Paris w created and signed on December 10, 1898. Spain freed Cuba and turned over the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies to the United States. Spain also sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. -
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The Spanish American War
In 1854, diplomats recommended to the government that we buy Cuba from Spain. A few years later, Cuba revolts against Spain but is unsuccessful. After Cuba's own Emancipation for slaves was released, Americans began investing in sugar plantations there. -
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The Spanish American War Results
There was a great dispute over The Treaty of Paris. Some believed that America didn't have the right to annex the new countries and others thought America was becoming too much of an imperialist country. Though in February 1899, America decided to approve the treaty, and now Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines were all a part of the United States. -
America and Cuba
Although Cuba was independent at first, there were still American troops occupied in Cuba. America ultimately helped Cuba in big ways providing food and shelter as well as organized schools. In 1900, Cuba created their own constitution but failed to adopt certain aspects so America created the Platt Amendment. Cuba would have to adopt this amendment for American troops to withdraw. -
America and China
America saw China as a great potential market. The Open Door Notes allowed China to trade with America. The Boxer Rebellion was formed by the Chinese to stop European domination in their major cities. We interfered so European powers would stop and we could keep our foreign markets open. -
Roosevelt and Foreign Policy
Roosevelt created good ties with Japan after helping them solve their disputes with Russia. Roosevelt also helped create a canal between the Atlantic and Pacific to allow for more trade. The Panama Canal was created and declared its independence in 1903. The construction was very dangerous with 5,600 deaths and expensive costing around $380 million dollars. Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary and dollar diplomacy to the Monroe Doctrine to keep European powers away from Latin America. -
Wilson and Foreign Policy
Wilson believed in moral/missionary diplomacy. Mexico was having disputes that called for American intervention. This brought America and Mexico close to war. Wilson withdrew the troops and formally recognized the Carranza government. Later though, Carranza's troops killed Americans causing us to look for a man named "Pancho" Villa. They demanded we withdraw our troops but Wilson disagreed. 1917, Wilson ordered Pershing to return home and Carranza made their own constitution and government. -
America and Puerto Rico
Puerto Ricans feared that Americans wouldn't give the self-rule they had before. We assured them that we were there to protect and to serve them. Therefore, Puerto Rico was under military control for the time being. The Foraker Act was passed in 1900 which set up a civil government and would only allow Puerto Ricans to elect memebers of the legislatures lower house. In 1917, Puerto Ricans were given the right to citizenship and allowed them to elect members in both of their houses. -
America and the Philippines
The Filipinos wanted their own freedom just as the other newly acquired lands wanted. In 1899, The Filipinos revolted against the United States. As a result, America put them into designated zones with poor conditions that killed thousands of Filipinos. It took almost 3 years to put an end to this rebellion. After the end of this war, America set up a government for them just as they did for the other countries and the Philipines became an independent republic on July 4, 1946.
