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Period: to
Becoming a World Power
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Purchase of Alaska
In 1867, Congress purchased Alaska from Russia. Thanks to Secretary of State William Seward, as well as appreciation for Russia’s help during the Civil War, Congress took Russia’s offer for Alaska. However, many Americans saw no value in the purchase referring to the state as “Seward’s Icebox.” -
Pan-American Conference
In efforts by James G. Blaine to grow closer to our southern neighbors, the Pan-American conference was created in 1889. This conference was used to for world leaders to discuss international trade and and various other issues. This meeting is still seen today’s part of the Organization of American States, created in 1948. -
Annexation of Hawaii
Since the mid-1800s, American missionaries and entrepreneurs settled in the Pacific islands of Hawaii. It was coveted by expansionists and in 1893, American settlers aided in an overthrow of the Hawaiian monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. In July of 1898, the United States annexed Hawaii, and in 1959, Hawaii became the 50 state. -
Boxer Rebellion
In 1900, a society of Chinese nationalists killed many Christian missionaries. In response, the United States participated in an international force that marched into Beijing and crushed the rebellion. -
Cuba and the Platt Amendment
After involving ourselves in the Spanish-American War, U.S. troops remained in Cuba from 1898 to 1901. In 1901, the U.S. and Cuba signed the Platt Amendment which required that Cuba never sign a treaty which would in danger their independence, they must allow the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs, and they must allow the U.S. to maintain naval bases in Cuba, including Guantanamo Bay. -
The Panama Canal
As a result of the Spanish-American War, the new American empire stretched from Puerto Rico to the Philippines. In order to maintain hold on these far islands, the U.S. desired a canal in a Central America to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific. The canal was started in 1904 and completed in 1914. -
Railroads in China
President Taft tested his policy in China in 1911. Wanting the U.S. bankers to be included in a British, French and German plan to invest in Chinese railroads, Taft succeeded in securing the U.S. a spot in an agreement signed in 1911.