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Queen Liliuokalani overthrown in Hawaii
Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown in part due to the help of Sandford Dole (pineapple guy) to establish Hawaii and independent and able to be acquired by the US as a territory and later, a state. -
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Spanish-American War
This war was fought between the United States and Spain over Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The US easily defeated the poorly outfitted Spanish troops. -
U.S.S. Maine Sunk in Havana Harbor, Cuba
The USS Maine blew up on this date in Havana Harbor resulting in the writing of an article declaring the Cubans as a nation that was hostile towards the US. In th 1960s, forensics proved the explosion was caused by a careless cigarette of a sailor. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty ending the Spanish American War resulted in the acquisition of the Philippines, part of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam. -
McKinley is assassinated, Roosevelt becomes President
McKinley is shot in the abdomen and dies of gangrene eight days later, making Teddy Roosevelt president of the United States. -
Howard Taft is elected President
Taft will serve as president until 1912, when Roosevelt's run will prevent him from winning office again (splitting the vote). He introduced the "Open Door Policy" with China (making the US China's primary trading partner) and "Dollar Diplomacy" (US would intervene to protect financial assets). -
Woodrow Wilson Becomes President
Wilson is elected president not because he was greatly popular, but rather, because Republican support for Taft and Roosevelt split their vote preventing a majority. Wilson will be America's president during World War One. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot and killed in Sarajevo marking start of WWI
Sergio Princip, an embattled young man with a Serbian terror group shoots Franz Ferdinand on his ride through the Serbian city. The result is that Austria threatens to attack Serbia which is then defended by Russia which then forces Germany to side with Austria. The French condemn the act and declare war so Germany invades Belgium to get to France which leads to England being embroiled in the war and it becomes a major disaster for mankind as a whole in Europe. -
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World War One (Europe)
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Panama Canal Opens
The Panama Canal opens in 1914 leading to the rapid movement of ships between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, effectively bridging the world's commercial and military worlds. -
Lusitania Sunk
The Lusitania is sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German U-Boat (submarine) costing the lives of numerous civilians crossing the Atlantic to and from America. The ship was civilian (not of military purpose) but research has shown she carried ammunition in her cargo destined for the front technically violating the rules of war that the US will then accuse the Germans of violating from this attack. Germany will apologize, but later in 1917 will renew attacks against civilian ships. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telgram was a proposal from Germany to Mexico to get Mexico to allow German troops and Mexican troops to attack the US in exchange for lands lost in the 1840s in the Mexican-American War. -
America Enters World War One
America declares war on Germany and enters the war on the side of the Allies. The war will not last long beyond the American entrance because fresh American soldiers will continue to pound German troops into submission. -
Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Battle of the Argonne Forest)
American troops launched a major all-out assault that will ultimately break the backs of the German Army and win the war. -
Armistice Agreed To
The cease fire was called on the "11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month" of 1918 and the fighting of World War One came to an unofficial close. The costs were high: Nearly 1 million dead for England, over 1.5 million for France, 3 million for Russia, just over 100,000 for the US, 2.5 million for Germany, and 1.5 million for Austria. An entire generation would be nearly wiped out. -
Treaty of Versailles
The war officially ends with the Treaty of Versailles. American President Woodrow Wilson proposes that the US and her allies create a League of Nations aimed at settling Europe's future problems while England and France demand damages to be paid back from Germany. The result is that Germany will be driven into a depression that will destroy Europe and the world.
