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The Purchase of Alaska
Alaska had been the subject for dispute between Great Britain and Russia. Russia began to seek buyers and soon found Seward. In 1867 congress agreed to purchase Alaska for $7.2 million. -
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History-Alfred Thayer Mahan
This book written by US Navy Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan argues that a strong navy was crucial to a country's ambitions of securing foreign markets and becoming a world power. This book was widely read by prominent american citizens and political leaders in Europe and Japan. -
Overthrow of Hawaii monarch
The Pacific islands of Hawaii had been settled by american entrepreneurs and missionaries before the war. US expansionists had long coveted the islands. In 1893 american settlers aided in the overthrow of the Hawaii monarch. -
Cuban Revolt
Cuban nationalists had been fighting for ten years to overthrow Spanish colonial rule. They adopted the strategy of sabotaging or laying waste Cuban plantations to either force Spain's withdrawal or involve the United States -
Annexation of Hawaii
President Cleveland had opposed Republican efforts to annex Hawaii. The outbreak of war and the fight for the Philippines gave congress and President McKinley the pretext to complete the annexation of Hawaii. Became a US territory in 1900. -
Yellow Press
City newspapers with bold and lurid headlines of crime, disaster, and scandal actively promoting war fever in the United States. They printed exaggerated and false accounts of Spanish atrocities in Cuba. -
De Lome Letter
A story that caused a storm of outrage. It was a letter written by a Spanish Diplomat that was leaked to the press and printed on the front page of Hearst's New York Journal. IT was highly critical of President Mckinley and many saw it as an insult against US National honor. -
Sinking of the Maine
US battleship Maine was anchored in the Harbor of Havana when it suddenly exploded. Yellow press accused Spain of deliberately blowing up ship even though it was later discovered that it was probably an accident. -
McKinley's War Message
McKinley issued an ultimatum to Spain demanding that it agree to ceasefire in Cuba. The Spanish agreed, but US newspapers and congress kept clamoring for war. McKinley yielded to the public pressure by sending a war message to Congress. -
Teller Amendment
Declared that the United States had no intentions of taking political control of Cuba and once peace was restored the Cuban people would have control of their government -
Battle of Manila Bay
Shortly after war was declare, Commodore Dewey's fleet opens fire on Spanish ships in manila bay. Spanish fleet was pounded into submission by US naval guns. -
Calvary Charge Up San Juan Hill
Regiment of volunteers led by Theodore Roosevelt. Volunteers were aided in victory by veteran regiments of African Americans. -
US Navy destroys Spanish fleet
US navy destroyed spanish fleet at Santiago Bay on July 3. Without a navy, Spain realized it could not continue fighting. -
Spain cedes Philippines to US through Treaty of Paris
Spain ceded its longstanding Colony of the Philippines to the US through the Treaty of Paris. This lead to the Philippines people to be outraged that their hopes for independence from Spain were being denied. Emilio Aguinaldo lead guerrilla fighters in war against US control -
Open Door Policy
In the 1890s, Russia, Japan, Great Britain, France, and Germany had established the spheres of influence. This meant that they could dominate trade and investment within their sphere. To prevent the US from losing out on China trade, asked them to accept the open door policy for which all nations would have equal trading privileges in china -
Boxer Rebellion
Nationalism and xenophobia were on the rise in China. In 1900 a secret society of Chinese nationalists attacked foreign settlements and murdered dozens of christian missionaries. China was forced to pay hug indemnities that further weakened the imperial regime. -
Big Stick Diplomacy
Policy of carefully mediated negotiation ("speaking softly") supported by the unspoken threat of a powerful military ("big stick"). -
Theodore Roosevelt and his foreign policy
After McKinley was fatally shot, Roosevelt took office bringing about this "Big Stick" foreign policy. By acting boldly and decisively in numbers of situations he attempted to build the reputation of the US as a world power. -
Philippine American War Ends
The war was brutal on both sides. After 3 years and thousands of lives lost US troops ended the insurrection. -
Revolution in Panama
Roosevelt was eager to begin the construction of the canal. He was fustrated however that Columbia this isthmus and refused to agree to US terms. Roosevelt supported a revolt in Panama.The rebellion succeeded and the first act was to sign a treaty, -
Root–Takahira Agreement
Secretary of State Elihu Root and Japanese ambassador Takahira exchanged notes pledging there be mutual respect for each nations Pacific possessions and support for the Open Door Policy in China. -
Dollar Diplomacy
William Howard Taft's foreign policy that was mildly expansionist, but depended more on investor's dollars than navy battleships. One major obstacle was the growth of anti-imperialism in the United States and overseas. -
Panama Canal Completed
The building of the canal started in 1904 and was completed in 1914. Most Americans approved of Roosevelt's determination to build the canal, but some were unhappy with the tactics used to secure the canal zone. -
Tampico Incident
To aid in revolutionary faction that was fighting Huerta, Wilson asked for an arms embargo against Mexican government and sent a fleet to blockade the port of Vera Cruz. Several seamen went ashore where they were arrested and soon released. First dispute in the Americas to be settled by joint mediation. -
Pancho Villa and the US Expeditionary Force
Hoping to destabilize opponent's government Villa led raids against the US-Mexican border and murdered a number of people in Texas and New Mexico. President Wilson ordered General Pershing to pursue Villa in Mexico. This expeditionary force was in Northern Mexico without being able to capture Villa. -
Zimmerman Telegram
Intercepted by British intelligence, a telegram to Mexico from Germany proposed that Mexico Ally itself with Germany in return for Germany to help Mexico recover its lost territories. -
Submarine Warfare
Most important in the US decision for war was a sudden change in Germany military strategy. German high command had decided in early January to resume unrestricted submarine warfare. -
Selective Service Act
The system of selective service was devise by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker as a democratic method for ensuring all groups in the population would be called into service. 2.8 million men were eventually called by lottery. -
Fourteen Points
Woodrow Wilson never lost sight of his ambition to shape the peace settlement when the war ended. He said that the united states would insist on "peace without victory." This was his detailed list of war aims to congress -
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Allied offensive along the Meuse River and Argonne forest succeeded in driving German Army backward toward German borders. The Germans signed an armistice in which they agreed to surrender their arms. -
American Expeditionary Force
Was commanded by General Pershing. The first US troops to see action were used to plug weaknesses in the French and British lines. AEF assumed independent responsibility for one segment of the Western Front. -
Red Scare
There was a widespread unhappiness with the peace process and growing fears of socialism fueled by the Communist takeover in Russia and labor unrest at home. The anti-German hysteria of the war years suddenly turned into anti-communist hysteria. -
Treaty of Versailles
Brought World War 1 to an end. It stated that Germany should be disarmed and stripped of its colonies. It also introduced the League of Nations that would stand ready to protect the independence and territorial integrity of other nations. -
Hawaii becomes a state
Hawaii became a state following a referendum in Hawaii in which more than 93% of the voters approved the proposition that the territory should be admitted as a state. There were many Hawaiian petitions for statehood during the first half of the 20th century. In 1959 it became the fiftieth state.
