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Commodore Perry Sets Sail for Japan
Commodore Matthew Perry and a squadron sailed into Tokyo Harbor--intending to force the end of Japan's 220-year-old isolation policy. Perry sought to open ports/trade with Japan. Considering Japan has no navy at the time, Commodore Perry knew that his small naval fleet would ensure that Japan would agree to the demands. They did agree and this caused Russia, Britain, France, and Holland to follow Perry's example and use intimidation (fleets) to force Japan into trade treaties. -
The Possession of Midway Island
Captain William Reynolds of the USS Lackawanna formally took possession of Midway Island for the United States. Although it was not originally named Midway, the name changed to "Midway" sometime after this. This possession (the Unincorrperated Island of Midway) was the first Pacific island annexed by the United States and began a chain of annexations in the Pacific. -
Suex Canal Opens
This canal is the first example of a country (Egyppt) digging a canal across its land to further trade and it links the Red Sea to the Mediteraniena.the canal soon grew into the one of the world’s most heavily traveled shipping lanes. MAYBE DELETE BC NO AMERICA -
American Treaty with Samoa
The 1878 treaty negotiated with Samoa allowed the United States to establish a naval station at Pago Pago (though the annexation of the islands would come later). This treaty also allowed America to maintain a coaling station on Tutuila, furthering trade and production of materials within the Pacific sphere. -
McKinley Tariff
The McKinley Tariff was a disastrous trade tariff enacted by Congress which ended Hawaii's favorable position in the sugar market. By allowing all countries to ship duty-free to the U. S. and giving sugar producers in America a two-cent subsidy per pound, it eliminated any advantage they had. This tariff caused sugar prices to drop overall, and the Hawaiian economy, which heavily relied on sugar, suffered greatly. -
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Spanish-American War
Although the U.S. declaration of war issued on April 25th, it was made retroactive to April 21 and thus began the war. This war was essentially U.S. intervention into Cuba's War for independence with Spain. This war would eventually end in an American Victory through the 1898 Treaty of Paris and Cuba's independence. -
Spanish-American War Begins
The Spanish-American War began partially because the Spanish minister to the U.S. stated that President McKinley was “weak, and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.” But it was the destruction of the USS Maine, a warship sent by the U.S. to protect Cuba, that pushed the start of the war. Since Congress declared that Cuba had a right to independence (directly contradicting Spain's view), Spain declared war on the United States. A day later, the U.S. followed suit and war began. -
Annexation of Hawaii
Leading up to annexation, America was worried that Hawaii might become a part of Europe's empire. Additionally, Hawaiian planters feared that Queen Liliuokalani would impose a devastating tariff on their sugar. Thusly, the annexation of Hawaii was necessary. It not only extended U.S. territory further into the Pacific but economically integrated the islands into the economy (and thusly, extended U.S. power in the Pacific), led to U.S. naval bases, and Hawaii's eventual statehood. -
Annexation of the Philippines
Preceding the annexation of the Philippines, many Americans questioned whether or not it was right to annex. However, American businessmen thought the islands would be a key trading post for the U.S. in Asia. Additionally, it provided a spot for trading ships to refuel. Furthermore, it was believed that it would bring democracy to the islands and that it was necessary to keep Eaurpeopn nations away. For all of these reasons, the Philippines were annexed on February 2nd, 1899. -
Tripartite Convention of 1899
This successfully ended the Second Samoan Civil War by dividing the Samoan islands into "spheres of influence". Germany was to control the western islands whereas the United States took hold of the East (specifically Tutuila). This allowed America to establish authority over the Samoan Islands and, through the establishment of a proper naval base, provide the islands with the necessary protection. Additionally, it added America to the Pacific Sphere of influence and trade. -
Dollar Diplomacy
Dollar diplomacy was one of President William Taft's foreign policies that dealt with influencing Latin American affairs by "encouraging the investment of U.S. capital in foreign countries." This was seen as a way to uphold democracy and economic stability in these places through diplomacy rather than force. By trading bullets for dollars, he successfully coerced countries in Latin America into deals that favored the United States. -
Panama Canal Completed
The opening of the Panama Canal was one of the most influential events of the 1900s. When looking at it from a shipping standpoint, the canal saved nearly 8,000 miles, a great deal of time, and many resources when things were shipped from New York to LA. But even more than that, the canal opened the world to trade. For the first time, the east and west (Atlantic and Pacific) spheres of trade were feasibly united. Thusly, the canal increased worldwide economics and expedited trade.
