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Sewards Folly
The Seward's Folly was the purchase of Alaska from Russia. It was signed by the secretary of state, William H. Seward. Many thought that this purchase was a mistake but it turned out to be one of the biggest bargains in history. This is because it added more land and available resources to the United States. -
Alfred Mahan's "The Influence of Sea Power Upon Histroy"
This book was written by Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan. This writing argued that the control of the sea was what lead to world dominance. This book was in influence/motivation among the naval forces within different great powers. -
Annexation of Hawaii
The Annexation of Hawaii occurred because the United States wanted it for bigger and better business. The US was after the main resource, which was sugar. Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii opposed this offer and she was soon overthrown by Sanford. This then resulted in McKinley convincing congress to annex Hawaii in 1898 -
De Lome Letter
This is a letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States. It criticized the American president. The letter called McKinley weak and more concerned with gaining the peoples support than doing what was right. -
USS Maine Explosion
An American battleship that was quietly sailing through Havana Harbor suddenly exploded in Cuban territory. The explosion was caused by a mine. The bottom of the ship was blown out which caused the ship to sink. It killed a total of 260 Americans that were on board. This was a major spark for the Spanish-American war. -
Teller Amendment
This amendment was in reply to President McKinley's war message. Congress pledged that it did not intend to annex Cuba and that it would recognize Cuba's independence from Spain. This amendment placed a condition on the United States military's presence within Cuba. -
US defeats spanish in the phillipines
US fought against Filipino's resistance to American control over the Philippine Islands. Filipino guerrilla soldiers finally gave up when their leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, was captured. This was the struggle between the first Philippine republic and US about the annexation of the islands. -
Anti-imperialist league
Group that battled against American colonization within the Philippines. Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie were influential leaders within these groups. -
Rough Riders
A formed group of American volunteers that was created by Roosevelt. Included cowboys, ex-convicts, etc. The leader of the group was Colonel Leonard wood. These men came together to charge San Juan Hill yet when they arrived most of their horses were gone. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
This is one of the most important battles of the Spanish- American war. Roosevelt and Rough riders came together to defeat Spain. This gave America the advantage in the beginning but soon the ships were destroyed by the Spanish. Eventually the war ended with the signing of a treaty. -
Treaty of Paris
This was approved by the senate and was what led to the end of the Spanish American war. Spain was once a proud and powerful empire but this changed once the treaty was signed. The US took over many of Spain's overseas land holdings such as, Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. -
The White Mans Burden
This is a poem written by a British poet, Rudyard Kipling. His poem talks about American imperialism and how the US actions were justified. Refers to the Philippine American war. Whites felt as if they had to impose their civilization onto the blacks within their society. -
Open Door Policy
This policy was a statement of US foreign policy toward china. it was issued by the US secretary of state, John Hay. it stated that all countries should have equal access to any Chinese port open to trade. This policy was adopted by the US as a means of opening up to trade with china. -
Boxer Rebellion
This was a rebellion by Chinese against foreign influence. The Chinese had a secret society that they named the Boxers. They were angry with the foreign people and their institutions because they thought it contributed to the loss of the traditional Chinese way of life. Thousands died during this uprising, which lead to the American intervention and open door policy. -
Foraker Act
A United States federal law that established civilian government on the island of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Ricans were not given US citizenship, but the US president appointed the islands governor and governing council. This act was newly acquired by the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War. -
Insular Cases
These are a series of opinions by the US Supreme Court. It discusses the status of the US territory's gained from the Spanish American war. It determined that inhabitants of the United States territories has some but not all rights of a US citizens. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt amendment gave the United Sates extensive control over Cuban affairs. It stated that Cuba could not make any treaty with another nation that could weaken its independence, no foreign power can claim territory within Cuba, US was allowed to leave naval stations in Cuban territory, and the US had the right to intervene at any time to protect Cuba's independence. These provisions were later incorporated into the Cuban Constitution. -
Mckinley Assassination
McKinley was reelected in 1900 and was assassinated in 1901. He was killed by Leon Czolgosz at World Exposition in Buffalo. Mckinley was assassinated because Leon was angry about working conditions. After his death, Roosevelt became president and began to introduce the idea of progressivism. He was big on the idea of the military's power. Therefore, Roosevelt felt that the US had to use its military in hopes to make other nations reluctant to want to go to war with the US (big stick diplomacy) -
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
Great Britain recognized US sphere of influence over the Panama Canal. US gained full control over the construction and management of the canal. The British was to not be involved with the US and the construction of the canal. -
US recognizes the Panama
The Panama Canal was built to make a passage between Atlantic and the Pacific oceans easier and faster. The US saw this as an opportunity to benefit its country economically, politically, socially, and environmentally. -
Hay-Buneau-Varilla Treaty
Was ratified by the US senate. US guaranteed the independence of the newly created republic of the Panama. Agreement between the US and the revolutionary government of Panama granting America the right to build a canal. This would lead to a faster and easier trade route overseas. -
Roosevelt Corollary
This is an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. It states that the United States has the right to protect its economic interests in South and Central America by using military forces. The US used its military forces to restore internal stability to nations in the region. This also served as justification for the US intervention in Cuba. -
Russo-Japanese War
it began In 1904 when Russia and Japan were fighting over Korea and other lands. Neither side could gain a good advantage. Both sides reported to Portsmouth NH where president Roosevelt was mediating the treaty of NH. This helped to maintain minimal peace among the two nations. -
Great White Fleet
Roosevelt sent the navy on a world tour to show that the US naval power was strong. It also added pressure on Japan which finally pushed them into joining the Gentlemen's Agreement. -
Dollar Diplomacy
This was President William Howard Taft's policy. It is a term used to describe the efforts of the US to further its foreign policy through use of economic power by guaranteeing loans to foreign countries. He believed that this would benefit the US economy and promote stability abroad. -
Panama Canal Completed
This was a ship canal that cut across the isthmus of Panama. It was built by US engineers. It greatly shortened the sea voyage between the east and west coasts of North America. Although the US built the canal it was turned over to Panama control in 2000.
