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Thesis
Imperialism is used to obtain land through force. However, the U.S. was able to obtain land through purchases and treaties from negotiation, the slow build of friendships that allowed land to be given and used like the Louisiana purchase, and through defense when needed necessary, which eventually had the enemy fall back and leave land useable for Americans. Therefore, imperialism is nit always associated with force for land acquisition. -
British Victory
In India, British victory over Tipu Sultan in Third Anglo-Mysore War; cession of one half of Mysore to the British and their allies. -
Lousiana Purchase
The United States purchases a huge tract of land from the French government. They soon send explorers to the new territory. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
This treaty ceded Florida to the US(from spain) and also cemented the boundaries between New Spain and America. It was signed in 1819 but didn't become effective until 1821. -
Mexican War
Caused by the loss of approximately half of the land once owned, Mexico launched the start of the war in spite of reciprocating the loss they suffered by taking it back. The main reason was to seek revenge for their loss by the U.S. Since Mexico was unstable at this time, they were ill-prepared in their own game, thus losing the war. -
Oregon Treaty
To settle disputes with Britain a treaty is signed which gives land north of 49 degrees lattitude to Birtain and land south of 49 degrees lattitude to the United States. This set the borders between Canada and the United States, borders we stil use today (for the most part). -
Ostend Manifesto
U.S. ministers to Europe. The ministers write up a document that urges the U.S. to annex Cuba for the security of slavery, and that if Spain refuses to sell the island, it should be taken by force. -
Congress acts to authorize the U.S.
annexation of any small island that is unclaimed by other governments. In 1857, they will annex Jarvis Island and Bakerís Island, located in the mid-Pacific, and in 1858, Howardís Island. -
Great Britain signs a treaty
a treaty to give up its land in Central America. -
Acquisition Of Alaska
Secretary of State William Seward offered to buy the land that is now Alaska for 7.2 million dollars. -
Newlands Resolution
President William Mckinley signs Newlands Resolution which fully annexes the islands of Hawaii, but does not make it a state. -
Capture of Guam
The United States lead by Henry Glass conquer Guam from the Spanish. -
Roosevelt urges Russia and Japan,
they have been at war since February 1904, to negotiate for peace. Inviting the two powers to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the President uses a strong hand to help the belligerents reach resolution. Roosevelt will win the Nobel Peace prize for his mediation. Meanwhile, Secretary of War Taft is in Tokyo to negotiate the Taft-Katsura Agreement, which recognizes Japanís dominance over Korea in return for its promise not to invade the Philippines. -
American Samoa officially US territory
The US had a protectorate in place for years on Samoa until 1911 when they officially declared them a territory. -
The U.S. and the Panama Canal
The main goal was to cut the time needed to ship products through trade. Other goals were increased security and profit. The U.S. went back on their word with the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. Negotiations were made for a new agreement, but always ended in a stale mate. Franklin Roosevelt used military intervention to get his way, and obtained the canal. -
Treaty of the Danish West Indies
The US paid the Danish 25 million dollars to buy the Danish West Indies which were promptly renamed the US Virgin Islands. -
The War Industries Board is created
headed by Bernard Baruch, overseeing the production of all American factories. It launches the streamlining of production, allocates raw materials, sets prices and output. -
negotiating the Versailles Treaty
Covenant with the Senate, Wilson goes on a tour of the country to rouse public opinion in favor of the project. The President is already quite sick and proceeds against the advice of his doctors. He suffers a stroke later that month. He never fully recovers from the effects. Meantime, the Senate refuses to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, 55-39. -
Annexation of Midway Islands
The battle of Midway, which was fought on June 4 and 6 of 1942, was one of the most important battle in the Pacific campaign. The U.S. Navy defeated a Japanese force and gained control of the island. -
Northern Mariana Islands
In 1978 the US officially adds the Northern Mariana Islands to its list of commonwealths, ending Americas acquisition of land. While the US is contsantly trying to expand its power this marked the last major land that the US obtained.
