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The Purchase of Alaska, Pg 410
For decades, Russia and Great Britain both claimed the vast territory of Alaska. Russia finally gained control and established a small colony for seal hunting. But, the territory soon became an economic burden because of the threat of a British takeover. Seeking buyers, Russia found William H. Seward who wanted this area. As a result of Seward’s influence on this topic, and also in appreciation of Russian support during the Civil War, Congress agreed to buy Alaska for $7.2 million. -
Blaine and the Pan-American Conference, Pg 412
The Pan-American Conference, which was a meeting between representatives of some or all of the independent states of the Western Hemisphere, allowed for the United States to create a permanent organization for international cooperation on trade and other issues with other nations in the Western Hemisphere. Although the reduction in tariffs was not achieved, the larger goal of hemispheric cooperation on both economic and political issues was achieved. This conference still continues to this day. -
Naval Power, Pg 411
U.S. Navy Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History in 1890. This book argued that a strong navy was crucial to a country’s ambitions of securing foreign markets and becoming a world power. Due to the widespread reading of the book in America, U.S. naval strategists persuaded Congress to finance the construction of steel ships and encouraged the acquisition of overseas islands. Ultimately, by 1900, the U.S. has the third largest navy in the world. -
Cleveland, Olney, and the Monroe Doctrine, Pg 412
In 1895 and 1896, President Cleveland and Secretary of State Richard Olney insisted that Great Britain agree to a settlement about the boundary dispute between Venezuela and the British colony of Guinea. The U.S. applied the Monroe Doctrine to this situation and said that if Britain didn’t reach a settlement, U.S would come with its military. Reluctantly, the British agreed to a settlement. After this settlement, the U.S. and Britain reached a friendship that helped both nations in the future. -
The Spanish American War/Sinking of the Maine, Pgs 412-413
Due to the U.S desire of imperialism in the Caribbean islands, the Spanish-American War and the sinking of the Maine took place. The Spanish-American War, a conflict between the United States and Spain, ended Spanish rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. But, before this took place, an event had to bring the U.S. in. On Feb. 15, 1898, the U.S. battleship Maine was exploded while docking in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. -
Theodore’s Roosevelt’s Big-Stick Policy, Pg 417
Theodore Roosevelt, an expansionist and hero of the Spanish-American War, was inaugurated president in 1901 after the death of McKinley. He began a foreign policy which the press titled ”big stick.” Roosevelt believed that in order to increase American economic & political stature in the world, the U.S. would need to be militarily strong & ready to fight if needed. Theodore ultimately managed to build the Panama Canal and build the reputation of the U.S as a world power. -
Panama Canal (Completion of it), Pg 418
After the Spanish-American War, the United States desired a canal through Central America because this canal would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This canal would facilitate world trade and allow the U.S. to quickly merge its Atlantic & Pacific naval fleets in an emergency. Also, when opened in 1914, the Panama Canal gave the USA a huge economic advantage in the Western Hemisphere and allowed for trade to be distributed more quickly and easily to other world nations/countries.
