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Acquirement of Alaska
William Seward, Secretary of State under the president Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, makes the US buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. It was called "Seward's icebox" and "Seward's folly" because it seemed useless to the nation. Later it was discovered the presence of timber, minerals and oil. -
take over of the Midway Islands
These islands were 1300 miles North of Hawaii -
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Cubans' rebellion against Spain
Cuba gets American sympathies -
US determine Hawaiian sugar-free duty
Inhabitants of the islands had a great production of sugar and US wanted a privilege on other nations -
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Reasons American Imperialism started
- desire for military strength: admiral Alfred T. Mahan of the US Navy did a big part to reach this goal, also thanks to the new battleships Maine and Oregon. The US became the third largest naval power
- thirst of new markets: it's the solution to American overproduction and related problem such as unemployment and economic depression
- belief in cultural superiority: Social Darwinism, racial superiority of Anglo-Saxon and Christianity were considered the civilization that had to be spreader
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Period: to
building of nine steel-pulled cruisers
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Construction of Pearl Harbour base
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McKinley Tariff
No more duty free sugar to make Hawaii get into a crisis and cry for annexation to the US -
Jose Marti's revolution
The 2nd war for Cuba's independence begins -
arrival of the Spanish general Valeriano Weyler
He was sent to restore order. To accomplish this mission Cubans were sent in concentration camps. -
Acquirement of Hawaii
Queen Liliuokalani get overthrown so Sanford B. Dole (American) takes control of Hawaii. The islands officially become American territory -
Teller Amendment
US declares they won't take over Cuba -
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American-Spanish war
After McKinley receives the accusation of being "weak" and "a bider for admiration of the crowd" from the Spanish governor De Lome and the USS Maine explosion, America and Spain start a war for Cuba's independence. -
Treaty of Paris
The US gained many victories and reach a deal with Spain:
- Cuba gets its independence
- Spain has to give Guam and Puerto Rico to the US
- Philippines are bought by the US for $20 million -
Beginning of Filipinos revolt
Filipinos start a revolt against the US. The leader is Emilio Aguinaldo who uses guerrilla tactics.
The US respond by forcing Filipinos to live in bad conditions like Spain did in Cuba.
This war lasted 3 years and it costed 20 times the purchase of the Philippines.
In the end the US president had the power to decide Filipinos' governor and their upper house while they could vote for the lower house, like in Puerto Rico -
John Hay's open door notes
France, Germany, Britain, Japan, and Russia have settlements in China and the US want to trade in Asia too so John Hay writes these letters to "defend" China from European power. The US acted like a leader and obtained a place in this commerce area. -
Foraker Act
At first in Puerto Rico there's US' military rule. With this Act it's replaced by a civil government.
- the US president decides Puerto Rico's governor and the. members of the upper house
- Puerto Ricans elect only members of the lower house -
Platt Amendment
- No country can control any part of Cuba
- US can intervene in Cuba
- No debts if not affordable by the government
- US can buy or lease for naval and refueling station
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Boxer rebellion
The boxers are Chines who wanted to revolt against other nations' settlements.
Afterwards America "bodyguards" Asia -
McKinley becomes US president
He is a republican and imperialist -
US decides constitution does not apply to conquered territories
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Anti-Imperialist League
The election of McKinley brought some people to protest against imperialism, including famous people like the novelist Mark Twain -
Roosevelt becomes US president
McKinley is assassinated and his vice takes his place -
Hay Pauneefote Treaty
During Roosevelt's presidency, America desired to connect the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans for commerce.
The best way is to build a canal in Panama.
At first (1850) the Canal was owned by both US and Britain, while with this treaty US obtains the full control -
Cuba becomes US protectorate
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Beginning of Russian-Japan war
The reason of this war is the shared desire to have the control of Korea -
Roosevelt corollary
The US declares they would use force to protect their economy from Latin America -
Canal opened for business
Despite all the difficulties, including yellow fever and malaria, the Canal is opened for business. To let this happen the US had to pay $10 million and $250,000 for annual rent to the independent state of Panama -
Treaty of Portsmouth
This treaty was proposed by Teddy Roosevelt and ended the war between Russia and Japan. Thanks to this he gains the title of peacemaker -
Teddy wins Nobel Peace Prize
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Woodrow Wilson's missionary diplomacy
During his presidency he declares that the US had to deny recognition to any Latin American government considered oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to the US. Since any government controls a nation, the US considered all of them dangerous -
Wilson intervens in Mexico
He stands by Mexicans to get rid of Vittoriano Huerta -
Venustiano Carranza becomes national leader
Huerta's regime collapses and Carranza, approved by the US, becomes the new leader of Mexico.
Francisco "Pancho" Villa and Emilio Zapata begin a rebellion against him, so Wilson orders Brigadier General John J Pershing to capture Villa, retained a threat to both nations.
However Mexican are unhappy about this initiative because they don't want US troops in their territory -
Puerto Ricans obtain US citizenship and the right to vote both houses
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Philippines' independence