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The Growth of American Imperialism
By 1880, many Americans and Political leaders became convinced that America should join the European nations in establishing colonies overseas. The drive behind American imperialism was ultimately the desire to expand America's economy. -
The Alaskan Purchase
Secretary of State William Seward arranged for the purchase of Alaska From Russia for 7.2 Million dollars.
While many believed the purchase of Alaska was such a big mistake that they called it, "Seward's folly", Alaska turned out to be rich with natural resources such as timber, minerals, and oil. -
Occupation of Hawaii
American owned sugar plantations in Hawaii were highly profitable for America at the time. However the McKinley Tariff of 1890 revoked the duty free status of Hawaiian sugar causing the sugar plantations to have to pay the heavy tariff
The farmers soon called for the annexation of Hawaii into the US so the would not have to pay the tariff
plantation owners with the help of marines overthrew Queen Liliuokalani and established their own government and Hawaii became America's 50th state in 1959 -
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Spanish-American War
The Spanish America war was started after the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in 1898, due to the American people believing that Spain was responsible for the ship's destruction.
War also broke put due to the treatment of Cubans during their revolt for independence. The American people felt strongly for the Cubans and support the war in gaining independence on behalf of the Cubans.
The war ended with Cuba gaining independence from Spain and America gaining military prowess in Cuba's borders. -
America and China
The United states feared that since china was the "sick man of Asia" and very weak after war, that they would be divided into colonies and America would be shut out. Secretary of state John Hay issued series of policies called the open door notes, which gave trading rights to the United states in China and made it so no single nation would have a monopoly on trade with China. -
America and Puerto Rico
During the Spanish American war, America occupied the island of Puerto Rico as a strategic point.
After the war ended, Congress passed the Foraker Act, which ended military rule of the island and set up a civil government. the act gave the president of the united states the power to elect Puerto Rico's governor, and members of its upper house legislature, eventually giving Puerto Ricans the right to elect both houses of their legislature -
America and Cuba
After Cuba Gained its independence, American troops still occupied the country. America would not agree to leave Cuba until the newly independent Cuban government agreed to add the Platt Amendment to its constitution, which stated some powers America had over Cuba. the Amendment became a part of a treaty between the two nations in 1903, and Cuba became a U.S. protectorate. -
America and the Philippines
Filipino citizens were outrage by the treaty of Paris, which called for the American annexation of the Philippines. The Filipinos revolted under Emilio Aguinaldo towards the United States. After suppressing the rebellion, The United States set up a government for the Philippines similar to the one in Puerto Rico, and the Philippines slowly moved towards independence under American rule and eventually gained it in 1946. -
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Theodore Roosevelt
President Roosevelt became president in 1901 after president McKinley's Assassination. Roosevelt was determined to make America the dominate power in the Caribbean and central America. he reminded the European nations making business with Latin America of the Monroe doctrine, and made his own addition to it called the Roosevelt corollary.
He warned that disorder in Latin America might force the United States to the exercise of an international police power in the region -
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Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson was elected president in 1913. According to Wilson’s missionary diplomacy the United States had a moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government it viewed as oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile American interests