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Monroe Doctrine reflects special US interests in Americas
Most Latin American colonies had gained their independence by the early 1800s. But many Latin Americans feared that European countries would try to reconquer the new republics. The US feared this as well. In 1823, President James Monroe issued what came to be called the Monroe Doctrine. This document stated that American continents are not to be considered subjects for colonization by any European powers. -
China and Britain clash in the Opium War
The growing supply of opium caused great problems for China. the Qing emperor was angry about the situation, so in 1839, one of his advisors wrote a letter to Queen Victoria about the issue. The pleas went unanswered, and Britain refused to stop trading opium. The result was an open clash between the British and the Chinese. The battles took place mostly at sea. China's outdated ships were no match for Britain's steam-powered gunboats. As a result, the Chinese suffered a humiliating defeat. -
Commodore Perry enters Tokyo Harbor
Beginning in the early 19th century, Westerners tried to convice the Japanese to open their ports to trade. Japan repeatedly refused to receive them. In 1853, US Commodore Matthew Perry took four ships into what is now Tokyo Harbor. The Tokugawa shogun realized he had no choice but to receive Perry and the letter Perry had brought from US preident Millard Fillmore. Fillmore's letter asked the shogun to allow free trade between the US and Japan. Perry threatened to come back with a larger fleet. -
US wins Spanish American War
The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. The United States acquired the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam as a result of this war. Gaining the Philippines touched off a debate in the United States over imperialism. -
Mexican Revolution begins
From exile in the US, Francisco Madero called for an armed revolution against Porfirio Diaz. Leaders arose in different parts of Mexico and gathered their own armies. Francisco "Pancho" Villa had a Robin Hood policy of taking money from the rich and giving it to the poor. Emiliano Zapata raised a powerful revolutionary army. He was determined to see that land was returned to peasants and small farmers. By the spring of 1911, Diaz agreed to step down. He called for new elections. -
Panama Canal Opens
The United States had been thinking about a canal since the early 19th century. Despite France's failed attempt at building a canal, Americans remained enthusiastic about the canal. President Roosevelt offered Colombia $10 million plus a yearly payment for the right to build a canal. When the Colombian government demanded more money, the US encouraged a revolution in Panama. In gratitude, Panama gave the US a zone in which to build the canal. The Panama Canal finally opened in 1914.
