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Purchase of Alaska for $7.2 Million
Secretary of State William H. Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. At the time, critics thought Seward was crazy and called the deal "Seward's folly." -
Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between the United States and the Samoan Islands
The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Samoan Islands, being desirous of concluding a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce. The said Plenipotentiaries having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon the seven articles. -
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
A history of naval warfare published by Alfred Thayer Mahan. Scholars considered it the single most influential book in naval strategy, arguing for the paramount importance of sea power in national historical supremacy -
Hawaii annexed to U.S.
The last monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili'uokalani, was overthrown by party of businessmen, who then imposed a provisional government. -
USS Maine Explosion
The United States battleship Maine, riding quietly at anchor in Havana harbor, was suddenly blown up, apparently by a mine, in an explosion which tore her bottom out and sank her, killing 260 officers and men on board. -
The U.S. declare war on Spain
The United States declared war on Spain following the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor -
Battle of Manila Bay
At Manila Bay in the Philippines, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet in the first major battle of the Spanish-American War -
Anti-Imperialist League
Was founded in opposition of the acquisition of the Philippines, which happened anyway. The anti-imperialists opposed the expansion because they believed imperialism violated the credo of republicanism, especially the need for "consent of the governed." -
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
A naval battle in which the United States Navy decisively defeated Spanish forces, sealing American victory in the Spanish–American War. -
Treaty of Paris
In France, the Treaty of Paris is signed, formally ending the Spanish-American War and granting the United States its first overseas empire. This included Puerto Rico, The Philippines,and Guam. -
Open Door Policy
A statement of principles initiated by the United States for the protection of equal privileges among countries trading with China and in support of Chinese territorial and administrative integrity. -
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxers called themselves "I Ho Ch'uan," and their goal was the removal of foreign influence from China, the Boxers began to attack and kill foreigners throughout China. -
Theodore Roosevelt
He became the 26th President of the United States upon the assassination and death of President William McKinley. -
Philippine–American War
Fighting broke out between American forces and Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who sought independence rather than a change in colonial rulers. -
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty
President Theodore Roosevelt therefore supported the cause of Panamanian independence with the Canal in mind. His support paid off, and on November 18, 1903, the United States signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, establishing permanent U.S. rights to a Panama Canal Zone that stretched across the isthmus. -
Russo-Japanese War
The negotiations took place in August in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and were brokered in part by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt -
Gentlemen's Agreement
The Gentlemen's Agreement between the United States and Japan represented an effort by President Theodore Roosevelt to calm growing tension between the two countries over the immigration of Japanese workers -
Woodrow Wilson
The 28th U.S. president, served in office, and led America through World War I. An advocate for democracy and world peace, Wilson is often ranked by historians as one of the nation’s greatest presidents. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
An event that is widely acknowledged to have sparked the outbreak of World War I, was shot to death along with his wife by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia. -
Panama Canal Opens
The Panama Canal was opened to traffic. The canal permits shippers of commercial goods, ranging from automobiles to grain, to save time and money by transporting cargo more quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans