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Monroe Doctrine reflects special US interests in Americas
In 1823, President James Monroe issued a document called the Monroe Doctrine. It stated that European countries were not allowed to even consider the Americas as areas for future colonization. This was due to the fact that both the United States and the Latin American nations feared that the European countries would attempt to take over the newly built republics again. However, the U.S. did very little to impose this new Doctrine. -
China and Britain clash in the Opium War
For a long time, China was self-sufficient and isolated from the rest of the world. They would not trade with any other countries and continued to block any attempts from European nations. However, the British began to smuggle opium into China, causing 20 million people over time in China to get addicted. So, China and Britain went to war and due to Britain's hightly advanced technology, the British won and signed a treaty with China that allowed them to trade with and in China. -
Commodore Perry enters Tokyo Harbor
President Fillmore had asked Japan in a letter very kindly on whether America can open a few ports in Japan. However, this letter was delivered with a threat. When the letter came, it came with Commodore Perry on a steam ship and that they would come back in a year for a reply with even more steam ships and advanced technology. The Japanese were threatened and frightened so they allowed America to open up ports, thus eventually allowing other countries to come in and open ports. -
US wins Spanish American War.
Journalists like William Hearst and William Pulitzer believed that since Spain had become such a weak country, the U.S. could go to war against them and win and take over many Spanish colonies. So, they fueled anger in Americans and exploited conditions to provoke a war in the newspapers. Finally, the U.S. went to war against the Spanish and won many of the Spanish colonies like the Phillipines, Puerto Rico, Guam and Cuba. -
Mexican Revolution begins
Francisco Madero, a liberal from a wealthy land-owning family, began the revolution in Mexico. Ironically, Madero was a strong liberal who believed in democracy and how it should be a bigger part of Mexico. Madero eventually ran for president, but Porfirio Díaz, a powerful caudillo who ruled through his military, did not tolerate having Madero run for president, so Francisco Madero was assassinated. Slowly, more liberal leaders in Mexico arose and fueled the Mexican Revolution. -
Panama Canal Opens
Initially, the French tried to build a canal in Panama but soon gave up due to the dangerous conditions and insects tht spread malaria. So, the U.S. decided to take up the project and asked Colombia, who owned the area of Panama at the time, whether they could build a canal and give them money in order to build the canal. However, Colombia continuously asked for more money and so, the U.S. helped Panama become independent from Colombia. Panama, in return, allowed the U.S. to build the canal.
