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Purchase of Alaska
William Seward, Secretary of State, arranged for the purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Persuading the House of Representatives was difficult because they didn't see any benefit in the purchase, but eventually the treaty was approved. This was an important step in extending US territory to build an American Empire. Also the opposer's doubts about Alaska's potential were proven wrong by the discovery of an abundance of raw materials such as timber, minerals and oil. -
NWSA & Susan B. Anthony
The National American Woman Suffrage Association was started by Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to push for an amendment in the US constitution for the right for women to vote.
It's important because it was a movement into a woman's future involvement in the government and politics by pushing the allowment of women to vote. -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was a naval base that the US pressured Hawaii to let us build. It was Hawaii's best port, and served as a fueling station for American ships.
The building of the naval base is important because expanded american trade in western hemisphere. Also it made advancements in global ties. -
U.S.S. Maine Explodes
The U.S.S. Maine was a ship sent by President McKinely to bring home American citizens in danger from the fighting and to protect American property. It was blown up by an unknown cause.
This is important because it was the last straw causing the US to go to war with Spain, but also it was just a greater excuse to gain Cuban territory to build an empire. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was the treaty that ended the Spanish-American War. In the treaty Spain freed Cuba and turned over the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico to the US, and also sold the US the Philippines for $20 million.
It's important because it helped us further our empire with Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. It also gave the US the ability to open new markets to sell our goods. -
Coal Strike
The 1902 Coal Strike occured in Pennsylvania when 140,000 coal miners went on strike for 20% raise, 9 hour workdays, and the right to organize a union. President Theodore Roosevelt felt it was necessary to intervene and called both sides to the White House to settle disputes.
This is important because Roosevelt used it to pave the way for a modern presidency, and went beyond what the constitution states to get involved in public matters. -
Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair was a muckraker who became greatly known by the publication of his book The Jungle. He exposed the awful, unsanitary conditions of the meatpacking industry.
Upton Sinclair and the book The Jungle were important because it exposed companies views of profits being more important than the consumer. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip who was a part of the Serbian nationalistic Black Hand.
It is important because it is the event that finally sparked WWI. Tension in Europe had already been building with Militarism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and the aliance system. It caused great corruption, and drew everyone's allies into the war making it about more things than just the assassination. They saw this as an opportunity to add to their empires. -
Panama Canal- Opening date
We persuaded Colombia to allow us to build a canal across the southern tip of Panama to reduce shipping costs and travel time for commercial and military ships traveling from opposite US coasts. Panama wasn't happy with Columbia’s rule in their country, so the US helped them overthrow it to get the Panama Canal in return. It's important because we helped the Panamanians free themselves from Colombia so we could use some of their land to build the canal and to gain economic power for our empire. -
US Enters WWI
The United States is pushed to become involved in the war by several events including the German U-boat attacks, the Zimmerman Note, and the Russian monarch stepping down.
It's important because it's a step into becoming a World power and a member of "The Club". -
Selective Service Act
This Act required men to register with the government in order to be randomly selected for military service.
It's important because without it the US would have had a hard time building an army. It was also the beginning of the American citizen's involvement in the war. -
Espionage and Sedition Acts
The Espionage Act was passed 6/15/17. It's extension, the Sedition Act, was passed 5/16/18. They stated that a person could be fined up to $10,000 and sentenced to 20 years in jail for saying unamerican things about the government or war effort. They are important because they violated the 1st Amendment to the constituion and put restrictions on our freedom of speech. They showed how the government was taking control of the country while we were at war. -
Prohibition
Prohibition was a movement to ban alcoholic beverages, that would lead to moral improvement in American society.
I believe it's important because Prohibition improved home life for women and children. It also prevented crime, violence, and danger in society. Most of the crimes commited were caused by a large amount of alcohol consumption, and men would go home and beat their wives and children. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was the treaty that ended WWI and was created by the "Big Four" Wilson, George, Orlando, and Clemenceau. The only countries not invited to the Peace Talks were Germany and Russia. It was important because it defined the futures of European countries, and it solely blamed Germany for the war, causing them to want vengence. The treaty only stirred things up causing more trouble and eventually lead to WWII. -
Nineteenth Amendment
Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote. It was greatly pushed after women were so greatly involved in the war effort of WWI.
This is important because without it women wouldn't have any say in the government. Also american culture wouldn't have made so much improvement on gender equality without it, and women wouldn't get their rights of independence.
