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Japan
Commodore Mathew Perry of the U.S. Navy pushed his way into China with the U.S. Navy and forced the Japanese to sign a treaty that would open their ports to American ships. This allowed the U.S. to trade with Japan. Because Japan had no Naval forces, they could not protect themselves and had to give in to U.S. demands. This is called "gunboat diplomacy" - when one country uses military force to intimidate another into giving them what they want. -
Hawaii Revolution
The United States Marines and U.S. diplomats helped to overthrow Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii and set up a new government. They wanted to make Hawaii part of the United States so that sugar planters on the island could make more money. If Hawaii was part of the U.S. sugar growers would not have to pay a tax to trade their sugar. -
Spanish-American War
Wanting more territory, the U.S. entered into the Spanish-American War with the Spanish to gain territory in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Yellow journalism played a big factor in our decision to go to war after newspapers fabricated stories about the U.S.S. Maine battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor. After the U.S. defeated the Spanish we acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/spanish-american-war -
Annexation of Hawaii
The United States finally agreed to annex Hawaii - make it part of the U.S. territories - because they needed to use Pearl Harbor military base to help win the Spanish-American War. -
Open Door Policy
The United States Secretary of State, John Hay, created the Open Door Policy to make trading more fair in China - this would ensure that America would have fair trading opportunities in China. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/hay-and-china -
Philippine-American War
Before the Philippines became part of American territory, Filipino revolutionaries led by Emilio Aguinaldo were already fighting with Spain for their independence. Then they started fighting with the U.S. But the U.S. military forces were much better and the revolution didn't last long. -
Spheres of Influence
Throughout the 1800s America had difficulties trading with China because other countries had control of trade in specific areas of China and no one else was allowed to trade there. These were called Spheres of Influence. -
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Philippine-American War - Guerrilla Warfare
After the resistance of Emilio Aguinaldo was crushed, the Filipinos began attacking U.S. forces with guerrilla warfare - small groups of armed forces would sneak attack and sabotage. But this didn't work either. Finally, President Theodore Roosevelt declared the war over and that the U.S. had won. -
Boxer Rebellion
A patriotic Chinese society wanted to remove all foreigners from the country so they revolted against their leaders, the Qing Dynasty, and all the Western powers that were in China. The Western countries sent troops and stopped the Boxer Rebellion. -
Panama Canal
The United States wanted to expand trade options and control over the oceans. To do this they needed to have quick access between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They needed to build a shortcut through the country of Panama. But Panama belonged to Columbia and they didn't want the canal. The United States encouraged Panama to revolt against Columbia. Once Panama became its own country the United States was able to negotiate a contract that allowed them to build the Panama Canal. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Monroe Doctrine states that the American continents will no longer be colonized by European powers. Roosevelt added that if Europe did interfere it was the duty of the United States to act as a "police force" to protect its interests. This meant that we would protect Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, economically weak countries, from falling under European rule. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/roosevelt-and-monroe-doctrine -
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Dollar Diplomacy
President Taft decided that in order to keep order in Latin America and other territories of interest the United States should make investments in those countries. This helped us to become more active in foreign affairs. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/dollar-diplo -
Good Neighbor Policy
President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that instead of using military force to protect and keep order in our territories of interest we should emphasize trade and cooperation. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/good-neighbor
