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Monroe Doctrine reflects special US interests in Americas
President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. The policy stated that North and South America were no longer allowed to be colonialized by European powers. Until 1998, the US did little to enforce the Monroe Doctrine. -
China and Britain clash in the Opium War
The Chinese had no interest in trading with the Europeans who were determined to find a product the Chinese would buy. The British started smuggling in opium and by 1835, over 12 million Chinese people were addicted to opium. The British refused to stop trading opium and war broke out. The battles between the Chinese and British were fought mostly at sea and because of Britain’s steam powered gunboats, they defeated the Chinese. -
Commodore Perry enters Tokyo Harbor
Commodore Perry took four ships into Tokyo Harbor which shocked the Japanese. The Tokugawa shogun realized they had to receive the letter from president Millard Fillmore that Perry brought, The letter asked the shogun to allow free trade between the US and Japan. Perry derived it with a threat and said he would come back with an even larger fleet in a year to receive Japan's reply. The reply was the Treaty of Kanagawa of 1854 which opened 2 ports where the US can trade. -
US wins Spanish American War
Cuba was one of Spain’s last colonies and fought a ten year war against Spain for independence. In the late 1800s the US had business holdings in Cuba. When the Spanish had forced Cubans into concentrations camps, the US joined the Cuban war for independence. This was known as the Spanish American war and lasted four months,. The US then the Philippines, another Spanish colony, and the Spanish weren't prepared and the US won and Cuba became independent in 1901. -
Mexican Revolution begins
In the 1840s and 50s, Juarex worked to start a liberal reform movement which he called La Reforma. Because of the gap between teh rich and poor, a civa war broke out and the liberals won and Juarez then became president. Then, Porfirio Diaz came to power. He used dictatorial skills and his motto was "order and power." After many different leaders Carranzea began a revision of Mexico's constitution which was adotpted in 1917. Then Obregon came to power and kept the new constitution. -
Panama Canal Opens
Roosevelt offered Columbia, who was then in charge of Panama, $10 million for a right to build a canal. The Columbian government asked for more money, so the US encouraged a revolution in Panama. With the help of the US, the gained independence and they then let them build the canal. The problem with building the canal was the mosquitoes and rats which carried disease. Thousands died during the build and it finally opened in 1914.
