-
the Monroe Doctrine
US president James Monroe wrote the Monroe Doctrine. It stated that Europeans could not colonize American continents -
Opium War
Britain was selling a narcotic, opium, to the Chinese. The Chinese emporer asked Britain to stop, but Britain refused, so the Chinese declared war. -
Mathew Perry
In an effort to encourage Japan to open more ports for trade, US Commodore Mathew Perry sailed to Japan with three black steamships (with cannons). Upon seeing these large, modern ships, Japan obliged. -
Spanish-American War
In order to help Cuba gain its independence, US attacked the Philippines. The Spanish were not prepared for a war on two fronts. After 14 months of fighting, the US won the Spanish-American war, gaining the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. -
Mexican Revolution Begins
Fransisco Madero called for an armed revolution against Porfirio Diaz, the caudillo at the time. Madero started a revolution which was followed by Poncho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. -
A MAN, A PLAN, A CANAL, PANAMA
US offered to pay the Columbian government $10 million plus a yearly payment to build a canal through what is now Panama. The Columbian government demanded more money, but instead, the US helped Panama become independent. In gratitude, Panama gave US a 10 mile-wide zone to build the canal. in 1914, the Panama canal was opened,