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Opening of Japan
On July 8, 1853 Matthew Perry, an American Commodore, sent his four ships to Tokyo Bay in attempts to rebuild the trade between Japan and West. This would also open up ports to trade with China along the Pacific Ocean aswell. Perry delivered the Kanagawa treaty to the Emperor of Japan. The treaty was signed by both U.S. and Japan on March 31, 1854. This was a huge step to help the economics of the U.S. -
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U.S. Imperialism
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Purchase of Alaska
On March 30, 1867 William Seward, the secretary of state at the time, purchased Alaska from the Russian minister for $7.2 million. On October 18, 1867 Alaska was formally transfered to the U.S. Alaska proved to be useful when a large gold deposit was found in the Klondike Gold Fields. Alaska was very useful during World War II and was officially named a state on January 3, 1959. Alaska proved to be an econmical success. -
Spanish American War
The American victory in the Spanish American War forced Spain out of Cuba and removed the threat of a Spanish attack on the U.S. Cuban revolutions fought against Spain for three years in attepts to gain their fredom. Spain treated Cubans horrible. They were kept in camps and tortured and many Cubans died. The U.S. attacked Spain for Moral and Economical reasons. Many U.S. factories were in Cuba and needed to b protected from Spanish forces. -
Annexation of Hawaii
July 7, 1898 U.S. annexed Hawaii. When the U.S. annexed Hawaii, this ended the forced treaties from France and Great Britian and a Treaty of Friendship was signed between these nations. This was a solution to the economical problem of Hawaii falling to a European countries hands. -
U.S. annexes the Philippines
After the Spanish American War, the U.S. was intersted in the Philippines becasue they were rich in resources. This was a poor economical decision and the U.S. lost money by annexing the philippines. The annexation was cruel and went against all morals of the U.S. government. -
Open Door Policy with China
In 1899 the Secretery of State, John Hay sent European Powers such as France, Britian, and Russia, and Japan "Open Door Notes." These notes requested agreement on three subjects. The first subject was that each Power would repect the trading rights of other nations within that power's influential area. Second was that the officials in China would accept import duties. The last term to these notes is that no nation would discriminate any other nation with harbor duties or rates of railroads. -
Boxer Rebellion
In 1898 a secret society of boxers called I-ho ch'üan (Righteous and Harmonious Fists) banned together. Their original goal was to end the Ch'ing dynasty and clear out all foreign influence from China out of fear of that ruining Chinese culture. They later changed their goals after the Empress Dowagger supported them. 2,100 American, British, Russian, French, Italian, and Japanese soldiers were sent to end the rebellion due to trade interests. On August 14, 1900 the rebellion was put to an end. -
Panama Canal
In 1902 the U.S. senate voted in favor of building the Panama Canal. John Hay, Secretary of State signed a treaty with Colombian Minister, Tomás Herrán to build the Panama Canal. Colombia rejected the treaty due to financial terms. U.S. sent warships to support Panama to seperate from Colombia. After Panama became it's own nation, Hay and the new Minister of Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty which gave the U.S. a 10 mile wide strip of land through the country for $10 million dollars -
Panama Canal (Continued)
and an annual fee of $250,000. This was a great economical decision to help trade faster and more effecient. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment was an agreement to remove U.S. troops from Cuba and let the Cuban government take control. Cuba agreed to the list of terms that was in the Platt Amendment to gain their freedom. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary was also known as the "Big Stick" poliicy. It was used mainly torwards Latin America and the Caribbean. It was used to prevent European powers from influencing these countries and that if they tried we would act as the "regional police." The Roosevelt Corollary kept the influence of Latin America and the Caribbean which was a benifit to our economy.
