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The Purchase of Alaska
The United States knew that to be a big player in the world of trade they had to have an even strong presence on the Pacific with the addition of the Alaskan territory. “Russia offered to sell Alaska to the United States in 1859, believing the United States would off-set the designs of Russia’s greatest rival in the Pacific, Great Britain.”( Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs) The size of Alaska was also appetizing due to it would increase the size of the United States by almost -
First transcontinental railroad is completed
The United States reached a breakthrough with the connection of eastern railways to the west. Now west would be able to quickly transport goods to the east but people were more able to move out west. Before this not many would travel from the east to west due to the time it took, but now it became more accessible. “A 3,000-mile journey that had previously taken months to complete could now take only days by rail.”( The History Channel website) No other country had the land mass or capabilit -
Invention of the Telephone
On April 6th, 1875 Alexander Graham Bell received letters granting him patent number 161,739 that would soon lead him to building the first telephone. The verbiage used in the patent states, " a method of, and apparatus for, transmitting two or more telegraphic signals simultaneously along a single wire by the employment of transmitting instruments, each of which occasions a succession of electrical impulses differing in rate from the others."(Alexander Graham Bell, 1875) After this patent was -
Thomas Edison invents the Electric Light Bulb
The world was used to lighting their homes and streets with candles or gas lanterns, but they would soon be able to do that with Thomas Edison’s new electric light bulbs. It was stated in his patent, number 223,898, “The object of this invention is to produce electric lamps giving light by incandescence, which lamps shall have high resistance, so as to allow of the practical subdivision of the electric light.” (Thomas Edison, 1880) The patent was submitted on November 4, 1879 and stated that n -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The United States was the land of opportunity that many would flock to due to they were unhappy with where they came from or were looking for new opportunities. On May 6, 1882, Chester A. Arthur signed the law that put in place significant restrictions on free immigration of Chinese laborers. “The 1882 exclusion act also placed new requirements on Chinese who had already entered the country. If they left the United States, they had to obtain certifications to re-enter.”(ourdocuments.gov) The -
United States builds a naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
Competition of the seas grew amongst many nations and the islands of Hawaii were a high valued spot in this as both France and Britain had eagerness of being able to put their mark in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The United States understood that they could not wait any longer and made the move to set up a base on the island of Honolulu. “The acquisition of Pearl Harbor met with criticism from Britain and France, who had signed a compact in 1843, agreeing not compete over the islands. Thes -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890
The United States knew that they had to be able to police their own economy for it become sustainable. In the act it is stated, “Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal."( Sherman Antitrust Act, 1890) The Trust was taking over and the United States wanted to ensure that restrictions would want to be put in place. -
Spanish-American War
In April of 1898, the United States declared war on Spain due to the actions they took on sinking the US battleship Maine. The United States was not going to tolerate Spain’s military force in the Caribbean. The war only lasts 113 days, after which America came out victorious and it caused Spain to lose control of the over islands within this area. “The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.” (Library of Congress) A few of the islands that Spain did have thei -
Annexation of Hawaii
Pearl Harbor was the beginning of the United States expansion in the Pacific Ocean and the annexation of Hawaii continued these efforts. At the time, President Grover Cleveland was opposed to this and wanted to help restore the Queen until Samuel Dole agreed that Hawaii would act as an independent republic. “President McKinley, in 1897, sent in a second treaty, which was passed by Congress in June and July, 1898, and the sovereignty was transferred to the United States on Aug. 12, 1898.” (Paul -
Three Nations strive for control over Samoan islands
Many nations were expanding their empires and Samoan Islands where being fought over between Germany, Great Britain and the United States. The United States succeed in gaining this region after resolution was found at the end of the Second Samoan Civil War at the Tripartite Convention. Although Britain did not find success in acquiring any of the islands, Germany was able to retain control over four of the islands. The United States was not looking to build a large empire, but showing the res -
Philippine-American War
As one war ended another one is right around the corner. “On February 4, 1899, just two days before the U.S. Senate ratified the treaty, fighting broke out between American forces and Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who sought independence rather than a change in colonial rulers.” (Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs) There were many parties on both sides of whether this could be a good move for the annexation of the islands. This was a new thing for the United Sta -
Boxer Rebellion
Britian, France, Germany, & Japan join forces in the Chinese capital to put down the Boxer Rebellion. “The rebels, referred to by Westerners as Boxers because they performed physical exercises they believed would make them able to withstand bullets, killed foreigners and Chinese Christians and destroyed foreign property.” (History.com) The secret society was also known as the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists. This was a huge effort of many nations joining together to put an end t -
Open Door Notes
The United States was looking to make some big moves on trade and China was very appetizing for the many possibilities that could be created with this bridge. Secretary of State John Hay developed the “Open Door Notes” which was a series of letters that he wrote to the leaders of the imperialist nations to share trading rights. These letters were sent out to Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Japan who already had a large presence in China. America was at China’s doorstep and wanted t -
Foraker Act
Previous conflicts with Spain, led the United States to invade Puerto Rico, but instead of annexing the region the United States passed the Foraker Act on April 12, 1900. “An American-appointed governor was to be the executive officer of the island and he was to be advised by a two-house legislature. The lower house was to be popularly elected, but the upper chamber was to be selected in the United States.”(U-S-History.com) This was another instance of instead of completing controlling an area -
Philippine Organic Act
Following the end of the Philippine-American War, Congressman Henry A. Cooper created the Philippine Organic Act or the Philippine Bill of 1902. Within this bill it established a bill of rights for the citizens of the Philippines, the appointment of two nonvoting Resident Commissioners to sit in the United States Congress, and establishing the Philippine Assembly that would be voted on by citizens of the Philippines. “This was the first fundamental law created and enacted by the United States -
Platt Amendment
Cuba was looking for its independence as so many small islands were being fought over by large empires. On May 22, 1903, the approval of the Platt Amendment would give Cuba its freedoms as stated, “hereby disclaims any disposition of intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island except for pacification thereof, and asserts its determination, when that is accomplished, to leave the government and control of the island to its people."(ourdocuments.gov) The amendmen -
Creation of the Ford Motor Company
Henry Ford was a visionary that knew that the United States was destined to change society as everyone knew it. At the time the company was started there were currently 87 other companies producing cars but they were only meant for the super wealthy. “Ford's great stroke of genius was recognizing that with the right techniques, cars could be made affordable for the general public—and that the general public would want them.”(Ford.com) The United States was progressing as an industrial countr -
Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty
This was the first steps in the United States building the Panama Canal. Previously France was trying creating this canal but did not find success. The United States that this would be a big step in the trade routes for boats to get from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean or get imports from California to Florida. There was a previous attempt by the United States to get this negotiating this land from Columbia but no agreement was met. Within this treaty, Panama was granted it independe -
First flight of the Wright Flyer I
In December of 1903, the Wright Brothers made the first successful flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This very first flight may have only lasted twelve seconds and only went a distance of thirty six meters. Throughout the day they continued to best themselves with the great distance of two hundred and fifty five meters that lasted fifty nine seconds. This was a momentous feet that again put the United States on the map that they were an country that was innovating and now being able to ge -
Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
This was Theodore Roosevelt’s big stand to tell the all of Europe that you need to stay out of Latin American affairs. This is where Roosevelt’s catch phrase can into play of “walk softly, but carry a big stick.” (ourdocuments.gov) He tied this corollary onto the Monroe Doctrine due to he believed that the United States should be able to stand up for other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Theodore Roosevelt knew the how big the impact would be in pushing his corollary which would come int -
Treaty of Portsmouth
The United States was making its mark of going to other countries to end the violence and the Treaty of Portsmouth was no different as Theodore Roosevelt understood that getting in the middle of Russia and Japan was very important due to Russia had the largest military in the world and Japan was pushing forward to become industrialized to be able to market them in international trade. The citizens of both countries were not in support of this war, but the heads of government continued to push. -
Dollar Diplomacy
President William Howard Taft aligned with Secretary of State Philander C. Knox to the establishment of “Dollar Diplomacy.” The United States wanted make sure they were not only able to be world power but be an economic force. “The goal of diplomacy was to create stability and order abroad that would best promote American commercial interests.” (Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs) Knox was not only acting in the best interest of the United States, but the private investors for -
Ford introduces the Assembly Line
Henry Ford did not stop his innovation at building cars for the general public, but continued with the introduction of the assembly line. The assembly line was first used in his automobile factory and it showed great results. “His innovation reduced the time it took to build a car from more than twelve hours to two hours and thirty minutes.”(The History Channel website) The assembly line changed the entire manufacturing industry as companies were able to produce higher numbers of goods and at -
The start of World War I
War had broken out and the United States took a stance of being neutral in this even though they had provided stronger economic means to the Allies versus what they were sending to the Central Powers. The United States could have joined in this war but, President Woodrow Wilson at the time thought it would be best to stand steady on the sidelines and not join in just yet. He was supported by majority of the American public in this decision. Throughout the war there were many casualties to inn -
Completion of the Panama Canal
The Americas are large mass of land that up until this point no one had made such a strive as President Theodore Roosevelt did in the creation of the first trans-isthmian canal. There were efforts prior to the United States, but they were faltered by economics and man power. This was a very collaborative effort as United States started with supporting the Panamanian rebellion fight against Columbia; aid Panama in their independence and creation of a stable government. The canal built on “a 10 -
Jones Act of 1916
On August 29, 1916, the Philippines received their official and formally written announcement of independence. This act would replace the Philippine Organic Act of 1902 as the United States wanted to move forward with the countries interest in establishing themselves as a new nation. This proved that the United States was not collecting countries or territories, but assist making sure they would have the stability to govern themselves. “The law provides that the grant of independence would come -
Zimmermann Telegram
While the British continue to fight Germany in war across Europe they were able to crack the code on some of the messages that Germany was sending to its allies. “In January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause.”( Alexander, Mary and Marilyn Childres, 1981) The discovery was possibly the greatest find f -
United States Declares War on Germany
The discovery and publishing of the Zimmerman Telegram spread like wild fire throughout the United States that they had no choice but to join the war. “At 8:30 on the evening of April 2, 1917, President Wilson appeared before a joint session of Congress and asked for a declaration of war against Germany in order to "make the world safe for democracy." On April 4, Congress granted Wilson's request.”(EyeWitness to History) Germany promised that Mexico would be able to gain back some of the terri -
Fourteen Points
Woodrow Wilson developed a plan that he titled the Fourteen Points as way to bring some peace to the end of World War I. He wanted to find a way to stop the war due to the large impact it had on so many nations. Just like in many of instance in our history we wanted to find solutions where peace could be met. Some of the significant points in the document are the ending of secret treaties, free trade with neighbor countries, freedom of the seas and the formation of the League of Nations. “Wi -
The Treaty of Versailles
The war was coming into an end and Germany had been pushed into a corner with no choice but to wave their white surrender flag. "The treaty was signed at the vast Versailles Palace near Paris - hence its title - between Germany and the Allies. The three most important politicians there were David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau and Woodrow Wilson.”(HistoryLearningSite.co.uk) This treaty even more emphasized Presidents Wilson’s vision of the League of Nations that he talked about in his Fourte
