Expansionism

  • King dies

    His sister Liliuokalani becomes queen. Proposed a new constitution that would return power to the monarchy.
  • Queen is overthrown

    Hawaii's monarch was overthrown by a group of business men and planters and forced the queen to abdicate.
  • Queen is arrested

    The queen was placed under house arrest and charged with treason. She agreed to sign a formal abdication in late January in exchange for the pardon of the supporters who had led a revolt to get her throne back.
  • President Mckinley

    President William Mckinley becomes the 25th president of the United States.
  • Protest against the U.S

    Hawaiian loyalists gathered by the thousands to protest the expected annexation to the United States.
  • U.S.S Maine

    The U.S. Battleship Maine was sent to Havana Harbor to protect U.S. citizens and property.
  • Unable to annex Hawaii

    The head count showed that the senate was not able to pass the annexation of Hawaii.
  • U.S.S Maine Explodes

    A massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship U.S.S. Maine in Cuba's Havana harbor, killing most of the American crew members aboard.
  • An ultimatum to the Spanish

    The U.S. government issued an ultimatum to the Spanish Government to terminate its presence in Cuba. Spain did reply but did not accept the ultimatum on April 1, 1898.
  • Request to congress

    The U.S. President William McKinley requested authorization from the U.S. Congress to intervene with the Spanish, with the object of putting an end to the war in Cuba.
  • Congress agrees to request

    The U.S. Congress agreed to President McKinley's request for intervention in Cuba, but without recognition of the Cuban Government.
  • War declared of Spain

    The United States declares war on Spain after the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor that February.
  • Portuguese declares itself neutral

    The Portuguese government declared itself neutral in the conflict between Spain and the United States.
  • First Battle of the war

    Only days after war was declared, United states Commodore Dewey and his Asiatic defeated the Spanish military fleet at Manila Bay.
  • Period: to

    U.S. in Cuba

    U.S. troops land in Cuba, defeat the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Heights, destroy the Spanish Fleet off Santiago Bay, Cuba, then the Spanish surrender at Santiago.
  • Annexation of Hawaii

    After overthrowing the queen of Hawaii, the island was taken over by american armed forces. Grover Cleveland attempted to withdraw the annexation but the american public favored the annexation.
  • Call for peace

    The U.S. and Spain sign the Protocol of Peace, ending hostilities between the two. This does not put an official stop to the war.
  • Treaty of Paris is signed

    The treaty is ratified by the U.S. senate on February 6, 1899. Under the treaty, the U.S. acquires control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.
  • Canal through central america

    The United States is given extensive rights by Great Britain for building a canal through Central America.
  • U.S. chooses Panama

    United States Senate votes in favor of Panama as the canal site. US support for a $40 million purchase is based on congressional acceptance for a canal in Panama and the acquisition of land to serve as a canal zone.
  • Panama is independent

    Panama declares its independence from Colombia. An American warship offshore prevented Colombia from quelling the revolt. President Theodore Roosevelt recognizes the new republic three days later.
  • U.S. buys canal zone

    United States acquires control of the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million from Panama and buys equipment and infrastructure from France for $40 million.
  • President leaves the U.S.

    President Theodore Roosevelt takes a trip to Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming the first president to make an official visit outside of the U.S.
  • George Washington Goethals is chief engineer

    George Washington Goethals, US Major General and engineer, is appointed to succeed Stevens as Chief Engineer by the president. He becomes the first governor of the Canal Zone.
  • Canal Built

    The United States agreed to guarantee the independence of Panama. The Panama Canal symbolized U.S. technological prowess and economic power.