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Seward's Folly
Secretary of State William Seward negotiated and signed a treaty with Russia that resulted in the United States purchasing Alaska for $7.2 million. Many opposed the deal, leading to the name "Seward's Folly." This criticism ended with the Klondike Gold Strike in 1896. The purchase was a stepping stone in the quest to become a world power for the United States. -
Alfred Mahan's "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History"
Alfred Mahan's writing describes the role that naval power played in the rise of the British Empire. He uses this as evidence for the belief that America should also increase the power of its navy. After this poem was written, the United States gets involved in the Spanish-American War, which heavily involved naval actions. Roosevelt took these words to heart and created his Big Stick Policy that involved the Great White Fleet. -
De Lôme Letter
Spanish war with America was becoming more likely. The Spanish ambassador to the United States, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, wrote a letter that criticized American President William McKinley. The criticism was that McKinley was a weak President whose only concern was popularity. This further strained tensions between Spain and America, leading into the Spanish-American War. -
USS Maine Explosion
The United States battleship blew up while sailing down the Havana Harbor at night on February 15, 1898. The explosion killed 260 officers and men aboard the USS Maine. Although no sure explanation could be found for the explosion, many Americans blamed Spain for the explosion, furthering tensions and becoming a rallying cry for Americans to declare war on Spain. This was arguably the tipping point that began the Spanish-American War. -
Teller Amendment
The Teller Amendment was created by Senator Henry M. Teller that amended the declaration of war against Spain. The agreement in the Amendment was that America would make sure Cuba remained independent after the conclusion of the war and the United States would not try to establish control over the territory. This later continued into the Platt Amendment. -
Rough Riders Organized
1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, the only volunteer cavalry to see action in the Spanish-American War. The group was led by Theodore Roosevelt and consisted of men from all over the country who were interested in fighting for America in the war. The Rough Riders saw action in the war beginning in Las Guásimas. Roosevelt used his action in the war to launch into a position of fame and popularity. -
Anti-Imperialists League
This group was established to fight against the American annexation of the Philippines, which were called "insular areas," during the Spanish-American War. They cited economic, moral, and legal issues as an argument against the annexation. The League dissolved in 1920. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
Decisive battle during the Spanish-American War. The US Navy blockaded the Spanish troops' harbor entrance, which allowed ground troops to attack the Spanish. Theodore Roosevelt led Rough Riders played a key part in the attack and this allowed Roosevelt to become popular in America. Shortly after the battle, Spain surrendered Cuba to American forces. -
Annexation of Hawaii
Hawaii was used to grow pineapple and cane sugar while under the rule of Queen Liliuokalani. Planters from the United States overthrew the Queen to avoid devastating tariffs on their products. The islands interested the United States because it allowed a passageway into the Pacific, allowing the United States to become a true world superpower. Hawaii was annexed during a time of nationalism in the Spanish-American War under the supervision of President William McKinley. -
US defeats Spanish in Philippines
The United States dominated the Spanish Navy in Manila Bay, leading to ships of other countries entering the Bay to defend their interests or claim new territories. The United States forced Germany to back down and again fought Spanish forces in Manila, this time on the ground. This became an American victory and allowed the United States to control the Philippines until an unsuccessful attempt at revolt in 1899. The country housed a US naval base that was important in the western theater. -
Treaty of Paris 1898
After the United States defeated the Spanish in the Spanish-American War, a treaty was signed, giving the United States control over previously Spanish-owned territories. Agreements in the treaty included America receiving Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Cuba became independent, with the United States controlling its right to maintain independence from any foreign countries. The treaty was another step towards the United States becoming a world superpower. -
"The White Man's Burden"
Rudyard Kipling wrote this poem to appeal to the United States' desire to continue imperializing the Philippines. Kipling believes whites have superior culture and are more civilized than countries that were not colonized or under rule of white man. Imperialists used this poem as evidence for the necessity to continue civilizing areas of the world that had not been colonized. This ideology was common during the period of American imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. -
Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy was an idea established by John Hay that's primary goal was to give equal rights to all countries when trading with China. The policy was sent to European and Asian superpowers for their acceptance. After America had gained Cuba, the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico, it had its sights set on China and did not want to allow another country to gain access to the entirety of its resources. -
Foraker Act
In the Spanish-American War, the United States established control over Puerto Rico. The Foraker Act was established to create a limited government of civilians in the newly acquired territory. The new government was shaped similarly to the United States' model. Puerto Rico also adopted all United States' federal laws. The image shows the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. -
Insular Cases
The Insular Cases were a series of Supreme Court ruling on the statuses of newly acquired territories from the Spanish-American War. One of the opinions found by the Supreme Court was that not Constitutional rights are to be had by citizens of territories of the United States. The ruling stated that citizens in Hawaii and Alaska had full Constitutional rights, while those in territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines do not. -
Platt Amendment
Amendment to the relationship between Cuba and USA after the Spanish-American War. The treaty says that Cuba could not make a treaty with another country that could weaken its independence, no foreign power could claim territory in Cuba, Cuba had to let the United States lease naval stations in Cuba, and the United States had the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence. -
Boxer Rebellion
After the creation of the Open Door Policy between the United States and China, many Chinese revolted against foreign influence. Churches were burned and foreigners were threatened or killed. Thousands died, leading to American intervention in 1900 and end to the Open Door Policy. Many Chinese were punished for their involvement in the rebellion. -
McKinley Assassinated
President William McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist while shaking hands with the public at the Pan American Expedition in New York. This allowed Theodore Roosevelt to become President. Roosevelt was a very Progressive President. Also, Roosevelt was determined to increase the size of the navy and build the Panama Canal. -
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
This treaty modified the original Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 with England that created an agreement between the United States and England regarding a canal. The new treaty gave the United States the right to fortify the construction of a canal. This treaty led to the Hay-Buneau-Varilla Treaty that allowed the construction of the Panama Canal. Also, Roosevelt wanted to build the canal, and later used this treaty as reasoning to support Panama's independence. -
US Recognizes the Newly Independent Panama
Panama had been separate from Spain since 1821, but Colombia claimed that it still controlled the area. Because the United States wanted to build a canal in Panama, it made an agreement with Panama that it would recognize the land as an independent country. In return, Panama would allow the United States to build a canal through the narrowest part of the country. This intervention by Roosevelt directly led to the Hay-Buneau-Varilla Treaty. -
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty
Treaty between the United States and Panama that allows the US to build a canal through the narrow part of Panama. The treaty involved the United States sending $10 million to Panama after recognizing the independence of the nation. This treaty occurred after the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty paved the path for it. The Panama Canal was finished in 1914. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine that was provided by President Theodore Roosevelt during the 1904 State of the Union Address after the Venezuela Crisis. Roosevelt reiterated that America would take care of issues in Latin America and European powers were not welcome to bring military forces into the area. He stated that the United States would use force to keep European countries from entering Latin America, a step up from the statements from the Monroe Doctrine. -
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese war was fought by the Japanese and Russians, as the name suggests. The Japanese defeated the Russians in a somewhat large war over the control of certain territories by the two countries. The Japanese used President Roosevelt to create a negotiation between the two sides. Roosevelt wanted to still have a chance to control Chinese territory. This caused the President to offer peace terms that did not give either side an unbalanced share of rewards, to leave competition. -
The Great White Fleet
Roosevelt wanted to implement his "Big Stick Policy," which involved creating a large Navy intended to enforce United States' policies. This fleet consisted of 16 battleships which sailed around the world as a show of dominance. The creation of the Great White Fleet came after the Roosevelt Corollary, in which Roosevelt stated that the United States would have a good deal of power. After those statements, Roosevelt began asserting dominance through his policies and actions. -
Dollar Diplomacy
President William Taft followed in President Roosevelt's footsteps in the belief that the United States needed to protect its assets and use them to become a world superpower. The Dollar Diplomacy was implemented to promote the United States economy. JP Morgan's banks were implemented into regions controlled by the United States and a railroad was constructed. However, revolutionary ideas were too strong for Taft's ideas and the actions of the President could not hold off revolutions. -
Panama Canal Completed
After the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty and the Hay Buneau Treaty, the Panama Canal was constructed. It was a key for trade to be done between countries in the Pacific Ocean and those on the Atlantic coast. The canal is 48 miles long and was completed thanks to the persistence of President Theodore Roosevelt. It is now an important part of transporting materials from one side of the Americas to the other.
