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Spanish American War
Before the war even got underway, McKinley was hesitant to start conflict but soon the pressure of the public forced him into a war the would make the United States an international power. What kicked off the war was an explosion that sank the U.S.S. Maine and killed 260 American sailors. The US believed that it was a Spain mine and war was declared feet 10 days of debate by Congress. -
annexation of Hawii
After a long debate, congress finally decided to agree on the annexation of Hawii once they realized how much of an asset it would be to have it as a navy port during the Spanish-American war. Two years later it became an official territory and in 1959 the first state that is not connected to North America. -
open door policy
Several foreign policy statements were made by John Hay who was in the Secretary of State. The goal he had in mind when creating these statements was the prevention of foreign colonization of China. Preventing colonization would allow the US to keep their own access to Chinese markets. Today, these statements are known as the Open Door Policy. -
Helping Panama overthrow Colombian rule
Ideas of a canal were present long before the actual construction. A piece of land the US wanted to lease for the Panama Canal was part of Colombia and their govnt refused the offer. In 1903, the US encouraged a revolt in Panama against Colombia. In the success of the revolt, the US immediately recognized Panama as an independent nation. -
Roosevelt Corollary + Dominican Republic
The Roosevelt Corollary was announced in response to keeping Germany out of the Western Hemisphere with the promise of taking care of an unpaid loan. Recent developments caused Roosevelt to declare the US as the policeman of the Caribbean and Central America. -
almost war with Mexico
In 1914, Wilson sent troops to Veracruz to keep weapons from from reaching Huerta’s government army. In the street battle, about 90 Americans and around 300 Mexicans were killed or wounded. Prior, much to Wilson’s surprise, most Mexicans opposed the US action and it caused Wilson to withdraw. -
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914 after 10 years of construction. It improved international trade and was essential to the Unites States for 85 years until they voluntarily gave up control to the canal. It is considered one of America’s biggest engineering achievement beside the development of atomic bombs and man landing on the moon. -
intervention in Haiti
Prior to the killing of Haiti’s 7th president in 7 years, president Wilson, was afraid that Germany would occupy Haiti+threaten the sea route to the Panama Canal. In result, Wilson sent over naval resources to restore order. Americans settled disputes, and ran military courts, etc. Mulattoes, which were individuals with white and black ancestry, replaced the all black govnt.In the end, one incident where American forces fired into a crowd of protesters which ended their occupation in 1929. -
Puerto Rico = U.S. territory
Following the Spanish-American war, the U. S. sent over a military government that began developing Puerto Rico’s infrastructure. Over the time, the United States stayed present in Puerto Rico influencing their political culture and resident became frustrated. They were neither U.S. citizens nor an independent nation. Finally in 1917, President Wilson made Puerto Rico a U. S. territory which resulted in Puerto Rican’s becoming citizens. -
Philippines fight for independence
It all began when during the Spanish American war, the Philippines were captured with the help of the Filipino leader, Emilio Aguinaldo. However, after the war, Aguinaldo made a call for independence due to the false promise of independence for the islands from the US. Fighting broke out in 1899 and different tactics of fighting were explored. In the end, the Philippines were granted their independence on July 4, 1946.
