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Spheres of Influence 1880s-1918
A sphere of influence is when an outside power claims rights and privileges over an area or region. It is usually for trading and investment, but sometimes for military purposes as well. This often occurred in lands that bordered an already existing colony. Spheres of influence were most often established by a treaty. -
The DeLome Letter
Publication of the letter, which criticized President McKinley, intensified anti-Spanish feelings, offended many Americans, helped generate public support for a war with Spain over the issue of independence for the Spanish colony of Cuba. -
Sinking of USS Maine
Maine was a United States Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in April. -
Emilio Aguinaldo/Philippine Independence
He returned to Manila on May 19, 1898 and declared Philippine independence on June 12. -
Annexation of Hawaii
House Joint Resolution 259, 55th Congress, 2nd session, known as the "Newlands Resolution," passed Congress and was signed into law by President McKinley on July 7, 1898 — the Hawaiian islands were officially annexed by the United States. Sanford Dole became the first Governor of the Territory of Hawaii. -
Treaty of Paris
With the Treaty of Paris, the United States emerged as an imperial power. Under the treaty's terms, the U.S. gained possession of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and for $20 million, the Philippines. -
Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion officially supported peasant uprising of 1900 that attempted to drive all foreigners from China. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment outlined the role of the United States in Cuba and the Caribbean, limiting Cuba's right to make treaties with other nations and restricting Cuba in the conduct of foreign policy and commercial relations. -
Roosevelt's Correlary to the Monroe Doctrine
The corollary stated that not only were the nations of the Western Hemisphere not open to colonization by European powers, but that the United States had the responsibility to preserve order and protect life and property in those countries. -
Harlem Hellfighters
The Harlem Hellfighters were an African-American infantry unit in WWI that spent more time in combat than any other American unit. Despite their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to their country, they returned home to face racism and segregation from their fellow countrymen. -
Zimmerman Note (Telegram)
The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret diplomatic communication issued from the German Foreign Office in January 1917 that proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico if the United States entered World War I against Germany. With Germany's aid, Mexico would recover Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. -
Espionage Act
An Act to punish instances of interference with the foreign relations, and the foreign commerce of the United States, to punish espionage, and better to enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and for other purposes. -
14 Points
The Fourteen Points was Wilson's statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I. -
Sedition Act
The Sedition Act of 1918 curtailed the free speech rights of U.S. citizens during time of war. Passed on May 16, 1918, as an amendment to Title I of the Espionage Act of 1917, the act provided for further and expanded limitations on speech. -
League of Nations
The League of Nations was the first worldwide intergovernmental organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War.