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The issuance of the Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was put into effect by James Monroe and states that "The American continents... are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers." This was never tested until 1898 America joined Cuba in there fight for independence. -
The U.S. annexed Texas
When the U.S. annexed Texas Mexico considered this an act of aggression. -
Treaty of Kanagawa
After Mathew Perry intimidated the japanese with their steamships and cannons the Treaty was signed. The treaty allowed two ports to be open for U.S. ships to trade. After this treaty many other foriegn nations began taking advantage of japan. -
Napolean invades Mexico
After an 18 month struggle Napoleans forces seized Mexico. Benito Juarez and others rebeled against French rule and after 5 years Napolean withdrew his forces from Mexico. Juarez was Reelected president and began reforms he attempted 10 years earlier. -
Beginning of Meiji era
Mutsuhito figured the only way to combat western influences is to modernize. He sent diplomats to europe and north america to study their societys. He chose certain aspects from them and applied them to japan. By the 20th century Japan had a modernized military and an extensive railroad system. -
Porfirio Diaz comes to power
Diaz rose to power through the military. After the role he played in Frances defeat he expected a government position, he was denied. Angry he ousted the president and took control of Mexico. He then became a dictator terrorizing those who refused to support him. -
Belgium signs treatys with african tribes
King leopold II began signing treaties with the tribal chiefs in the congo river valley giving him control of these lands. Leopold then hired companies that enslaved the africans and forced them to collect rubber from the trees. The brutal extortion of the africans resulted in the death of 10 million congolese. -
Berlin conference
The berlin conference was the european division of africa. 14 European nations met at berlin and decided how africa should be divided among europe. No africans were invited to this conference and their opinions were not considered -
Invention of the Maxim Machine gun
The Maxim Machine gun was the tide turner during the european colonization of africa. Before the invention of the Maxim Machine gun european soldiers engaged in melee combat and were decimated by the fierce african warriors, But when the Maxim entered the battlefield Europeans destroyed the african resistors. -
Menelik II becomes emporer of Ethiopia
Menelik began stockpiling modern armaments he purchased from Russia and France. Menelik signed a treaty with Italy that he thought would only give up a small portion of Ethiopia, but the litteral translation gave up all of Ethiopia, decieved Menelik declared war. After the battle of Adowa Menelik retained his countrys independence. -
The Sino-Japanese war begins
Japan and China agreed not to send armies into Korea in 1885, However In 1894 rebellions forced Koreas king to ask for military help from China. The Sino-japanese war began and only lasted a few months but the results of the war were in favor of Japan. The Japanese drove the Chinese out of Manchuria and gained its first colonies -
Construction of Panama Canal begins
When Columbia refused Americas offer for Panama the Americans helped the Panamanians win there independence. The Panamanians in return gave America a 10 mile wide zone so they could constuct their canal. 10 years later the country crossing canal was open. -
The Russo-Japanese war begins
Japan launces a surprise attack on the Russian fleet off the coast of Manchuria and begins war. Japan drove russian forces out of Korea and captured most of its Pacific fleet, It also destroyed Russias Baltic fleet witch sailed a great distance to fight. A treaty was signed witch gave Japan control of the territrories it captured. It also forced Russia to leave Manchuria and stay out of Korea -
Maji Maji Rebellion
Germans insisted that africans replace their food crops with the cash crop cotton. The africans resisted the commands and rebelled. The tribes believed that a magic water sprinkled on there bodies would turn bullets to water. 75,000 africans died in the rebellion. -
Carranza issues new Mexican constiution
This revolutionary document is still in effect today. The new constitution supports public education, land reforms, and worker's rights. This constitution was very helpful to Mexico, nonetheless Carranza was overthrown by one of his generals.
