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William Seward was the Secretary of State under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. In 1867, Seward arranged for the U.S. to buy Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million. Seward had some trouble persuading the House of Representatives to approve funding for the
purchase. Some people thought it was a bad idea to buy what they called “Seward’s Icebox” or “Seward’s folly.” For about two cents an acre, the U.S. had acquired land rich in timber, minerals, and, as it turned out, oil. -
American leaders advised that the United States build up its
own military strength. The United States built nine
steel-hulled cruisers between 1883 and 1890. Imperialists
viewed foreign trade as the
the solution to American overproduction and the related
problems of unemployment
and economic depression. Citizens felt that they needed to spread Christianity to "inferior races". United States Citizens also believed they were better than other cultures. -
The Hawaiian Islands had been economically important to the United States for nearly a century. American-owned sugar plantations accounted for about three-quarters of the islands’ wealth. The United States forced Hawaii to amend
Hawaii’s constitution, effectively limiting voting rights to only wealthy landowners. In 1897, William McKinley, who
favored annexation and succeeded Cleveland as president.
On August 12, 1898, Congress proclaimed Hawaii an American territory. -
The United States had long held an interest in
Cuba. Tensions arose and Cubans rebelled against Spain. President McKinley had ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens in danger. U.S.S. Maine explodes. Journalists blame Spain. The U.S. declares war on Spain. The War was fought in the Caribbean and the Philippines. -
The United States recognized Cuba as an independent country. The Teller Amendment states that America has no intention of taking over Cuba.
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The United States and Spain met in Paris to agree on a treaty. Spain freed Cuba and turned over the
islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies to the United States. Spain also sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million dollars. -
The Filipinos, led by Aguinaldo, revolted against the United States. The United States forced Filipinos to live in designated zones where poor sanitation, starvation, and disease killed thousands. Americans in the Philipines treated the natives as inferiors. It took nearly three years to stop the rebellion. The war claimed 20,000 Filipinos and 4,000 American lives and cost $400 million. -
To protect American interests the U.S. Secretary of State issued policy statements in letters that went out to the other Imperialist Nations. These notes stated that should share their trading rights with the United States in regard to China. The other nations accepted.
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United States forces occupied the island until a government was set up. -
The act ended military rule and set up a civil government. The act also gave the president of the United States the power to appoint Puerto Rico’s governor and members of the upper house of its legislature. Puerto Ricans were only allowed to elect the legislature’s lower house members. -
Groups arose in rebellion against the new imperialist who came to set up colonies. The Boxers killed hundreds of missionaries and other foreigners. The imperialist countries marched soldiers down to China's capital to stop the rebellion. -
The Platt Amendment consisted of orders from the United States for Cuba to follow. Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any part of its territory. The United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba. Cuba was not to go into debt that its government could not repay. Last the United States could buy or lease land on the island for naval stations
and refueling stations. -
After the war broke out between Russia and Japan, Japan asked president Roosevelt to negotiate peace for the war. Roosevelt agreed and promised to negotiate peace. Several meetings between the countries occurred. Roosevelt and the countries created a deal but Russia refused to take the deal. Roosevelt convinced Japan to take half the deal. The war ended. Roosevelt went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize. -
The Canal took many years to get started and was not finished until the United States stepped in to finish the Canal. This helped the world with trade and lowered trading costs. -
Wilson adpoted a plan of watchful waiting. Mexico arrested several Americans and then quickly released them. This sparked tension in America. -
Congress granted citizenship to Puerto Ricans and gave them the right to vote on the members of their houses.
