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Purchase of Alaska
Initially, Alaska was owned by both Russia and Great Britain; however, when Russia eventually gained control of the the entire stretch of land, they were under constant threat of British takeover. This then prompted them to seek potential buyers, to which the U.S. was eager to buy more territory. This displayed another form of foreign involvement from the U.S. due to its desire to expand their influence and industry. This then presents a similar ideal of seeking of imperialism during WWI. -
Spanish-American War: Cuban Revolt
In an attempt to escape Spanish power and gain independence, Cuba revolted against Spain and have the United States be their ally. Out of outrage, Spain responded by sending General Weyler, who would go on to crush this revolt, and send its participants to a camp where many of them would go on to die of starvation or disease. This then showed the causes of U.S. imperialism, and show how the rise of power that the United States had to build, considering they were unable to help many Cubans. -
Hawaii: Reciprocity Treaty
Before the official annexation of Hawaii, both Hawaii and the United States came to an agreement that the U.S. could safety and respectfully have their ships on Hawaiian ports for trading purposes. This then would give the United States the power to establish close ties with Hawaii and eventually establish businesses that would overthrow the Hawaiian government. -
Alfred Thayer Mahan: The Influence of Sea Power
After being a naval officer during the Civil War, Mahan would eventually go on to lecture and write at Newport War College; many of his beliefs and ideas would eventually go on to make him a major spokesperson for imperialism during World War I. Rather than focusing on the philosophical side of events, his works swayed more towards the political realities involving overseas activities, which allowed for greater insight on the harsh realities of war. -
Hawaii: Overthrowing of Hawaiian Government
After establishing trading ports and a strong relationship with Hawaii, the United States was able to conspire with a small group of Hawaiians and American businessmen in an attempt to overthrow the Queen of Hawaii. The U.S. did so in order to potentially annex this territory and have it own it as the 50th state of the United States, to which they were successful. This, however, would go on to stir controversy among the Pacific islands and lead to the U.S. getting involved in more conflict. -
Spanish-American War: Yellow Press
As a Latin American war was on the rise, a practice reporting these war events named yellow journalism arose in the United States. Many of the events that were reported were dramatized and often false, however they managed to get Americans to urge for U.S. interference in Cuban affairs. -
Spanish-American War: De Lome Letter
After the release of this Spanish minister's critical note of President McKinley, there was increase outrage and tension shown towards the Spanish community. Many Americans viewed this letter as an insult to their nation, and was an attack against the honor of the entire United States. This showed the growing conflict between Spain and the United States, and hinted towards the future powers that the U.S. would need to apply. -
Spanish-American War: Sinking of the Maine
Almost immediately after De Lome's critical letter was released, a U.S. navy ship called The Maine suddenly exploded on the coast of Havana, Cuba. Due to the growing suspicions of Spanish activities, those who participated in yellow journalism often blamed them for this spontaneous explosion. Thus launching the active interference of military and political powers from the U.S. which would support their imperialistic powers. -
Spanish-American War: McKinley's War Message
Shortly after the sinking of The Maine, President McKinley demanded that Spain stop fighting with Cuba. To which Spain eventually complied, thus demonstrating the power that the United States had established over a worldwide spectrum, which they would go on to expand in the future. -
Spanish-American War: Teller Amendment
After McKinley's demand for Spain to ceasefire in Cuba, the Teller Amendment was established. This was intended to establish that the U.S. would not interfere with Cuban affairs after they gained independence from Spain. This would then show how the U.S. was willing to put their imperialistic intentions on hold in order to have another country gain independence and establish their own government. -
Spanish-American War: Invasion of Cuba
Through the United States' effort to support Cuba during its time of need, they proved to be efficiently to do so due to the diseases in South America. However, they were eventually able to defeat the poorly led Spanish army with the help of Cuban forces, which allowed the U.S. to establish a strong relationship with a foreign country, which would be beneficial when they were in need of resources or partnerships. -
Annexation of Hawaii
After overthrowing the queen of Hawaii and establishing their own government, the United States had become successful in yet another expansionist movement. However, President Cleveland, whom was not fond of imperialism within the United States, attempted to block this annexation. This the caused a war within the Philippines and eventually led later President McKinley to officially have Hawaii as part of the United States, making it the 50th state within this country. -
Spanish-American War: The Philippines
After assuming what naval power the Spanish had in the Pacific Ocean, secretary of state Theodore Roosevelt commanded navy troops to the Philippines, which had been under Spanish control for a while. This move best displayed military power and an attempt American dominance within foreign matters. -
Philippine-American War: Battle of Manila
This war between the Philippines and the United States served as a continuation of Filipinos rebelling against Spain, whom had had control over them for a long period of time. The Philippines hoped to gain independence after the United States attempted to annex this territory and occupy the city of Manila. This battle would be the first major bloody fight between the United States and the Philippines. -
Hay's Second Round of Notes
Hay was afraid that there would be an outside force that would interfere with the success and independence of China. This then prompted him to write a second note as to imperialistic powers; wherein, he requested that the United States maintain respectful foreign trade and respect China's territory. This "Open Door Policy" would go on to impact the relations that the United States developed with Japan -
Boxer Rebellion
Towards the end of the 1800's, nationalism and a fear of foreigners swept across China. Then, in 1900, a secret society of Chinese nationalists, or Boxers, attacked several Christian missionaries within China; thus, the United States sent troops to China in order to protect American citizens who were residing that country. These troops were then able to crush the Boxer Rebellion, and China was forced to pay a large amount of money due to this controversy; this caused a weakening of imperialism. -
Philippine-American War: Pursuit of Aguinaldo
Throughout the first part of the Philippine-American, General Aguinaldo dominated the war scene, however his capture by rival troops put this to a halt, and guerrilla warfare replaced it. This prompted the United States to call for a national emergency, and fight back with full force. -
Panama Canal: Revolution in Panama
As an eager advocate for the construction of a canal in the terrain of Panama, President Roosevelt had become increasingly frustrated Columbia's control of this area. Columbia had begun to refuse the United States' request to dig in this area, this then prompted Roosevelt to orchestrate a rebellion in Panama. This would then allow Panama to gain independence and give the United States the power to create a canal in this area of the world; this rebellion would prove to be successful. -
Russo-Japanese War
In 1904, Russia and Japan, two imperialistic powers, fought this war that Japan had been winning. It was not until President Roosevelt requested that the two rival powers hold a conference in New Hampshire. Although both nations agreed to do so, Japan blamed the United States' imperialistic acts as a way of stripping away Japan's victory within this war. -
Panama Canal: Building
Through the effort to establish a canal within Panama, several workers would go on to lose their lives through this attempt. The completion of the Panama Canal can be credited towards George Goethals and Dr. William Gorgas, who both attempted to eliminated any mosquitoes possibly transmitting yellow fever onto the laborers. The construction of this structure further implemented United States power and allowed them to better expand their resources. -
Big Stick Diplomacy: Great White Fleet
In an attempt to display, or "show off", United States naval power to Japan, President Roosevelt managed to sent a fleet of white navy ships in an around the world cruise. This then displayed the kind of power that the United States had, and intentionally displayed to other nations that the U.S. had gained much power and support since their beginnings. -
Big Stick Diplomacy: Gentlemen's Agreement
President Roosevelt, upon accepting the position as POTUS, advocated to "speak softly and carry a big stick." This then was reflected in is eagerness to strengthen foreign relationships and extend United States imperialism throughout the world. He did so by creating a "gentlemen's agreement" with Japan; wherein, Japan would restrict the emigration of Japanese immigrants to the U.S. if Roosevelt could request for the state of California to restrict their discriminatory laws against the Japanese. -
Dollar Diplomacy
During President Taft's term in office, this was intended to further the United States' economic investment in foreign countries. This investment was mainly within countries within Latin America and Asia, this practice was an attempt to protect foreign trade with these countries and further implemented an extended, imperialistic power. -
Mexico: Tampico Incident
In an attempt to assist revolutionaries in Mexico, President Wilson called for an attack on the Mexican government and block a port at Vera Cruz. As events went on to escalate, South America's ABC powers came into the picture; wherein, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile offered to come interfere so that a peaceful agreement could come into place. This then represented multiple worldly powers uniting once again in order to ensure the well being of another country. -
WWI: Germany U.S. Enters the War
After Germany had entered uncharted European territories with their submarines, the U.S. was prompted to enter WWI and eventually defeat Germany. This would show the United States' alliances with other European nations, and its willingness to protect countries that were not theirs. -
Mexico: Pancho Villa and the U.S. Expeditionary Force
After General Huerta of Mexico had fallen from power in 1914, a new "replacement" government led by rebels loyal to Pancho Villa. This group led raids across the United States in an attempt to eliminate any of their potential opponents. This prompted President Wilson to unleash American forces upon rebels in Northern Mexico, however, when this proved to potentially lead the U.S. into WWI conflicts, Wilson chose to withdraw these forces. -
WWI: Ties With Germany
Following the rise of conflict between Germany and other countries within Europe, the United States would go on to cut ties with Germany. This would then lead to an outrage from Germany, and the two would eventually declare war on one another. -
WWI: Zimmerman Telegram
This message served as an attempt for Germany to ally with Mexico in the event that this European country was to go to war with the United States. In return, Germany promised Mexico that they would receive the "lost promises" that they were never granted. This then created an intensified rivalry between the United States and Germany, and furthered the conflict between the two. -
WWI: Battle of Cantigny
Through this battle during World War I, the United States went on to win this battle, therefore making it the first fight that was won through an independent American operation. -
WWI: Paris Peace Conference
This conference established how World War I would end, and what the allied powers would do with the mess that they have found themselves in. Wherein, the United States played a large part in this meeting. -
WWI: Treaty of Guarantee
In an attempt to gain the support of France, the United States agreed to sign the Treaty of Guarantee, claiming that they would defend France if they ever would be in a conflict with Germany. -
Red Scare
After the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union broke out, the Red Scare was an epidemic within the U.S, wherein a nationwide scare of communists, socials, and anarchists was manifested. The U.S saw a threat among this group of people, and the government reacted by extensively analyzing federal employees, in order to prove their loyalty to the country. This later would effect the trust shown towards immigrants, and other citizens within the United States. -
WWI: Treaty of Versailles
Following World War I, the United States and other international superpowers created a document blaming Germany for the war and requesting that they pay for the expenses of war. This would go on to prove that the United States had earned its right to be part of such an elite group of individual countries, and allowed them greater opportunities to spread their imperialism. -
WWI: American Contributions
As the war went on, the United States continued to be an active supply source for certain European countries. They would do so through the providing of troops, and naval power; thus displaying a kind confidence in their abilities, and allowed them to better spread their imperialistic powers.
