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Monroe Doctrine reflects special US interests in Americas
All the Latin American countries that gained their independence were afraid that the European powers would try and reconquer them. The United States itself was even scared of the European powers reconquering. Out of this fear, President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine states that the American countries were freed from the grasp of the European powers. -
China and Britain clash in the Opium War
The British kept on sending opiums to China, which caused opium addiction and other problems. Qing emperor's advisors wrote a letter to Queen Victoria stating that smoking opium is banned in Britain, so the Queen shouldn't send opiums to foreign countries. Queen Victoria didn't answer the request and kept sending opium because opium was extremely profitable. China finally clashed with the British and lost badly. The Chinese signed the treaty of Nanjing and gave British Hong Kong -
Commodore Perry enters Tokyo Harbor
The Japanese were so self-satisfied that they refused to trade with almost all the European powers. Then in 1853, Matthew Perry took four steam-engine ships with cannons to the Tokyo Harbor, which shocked the Japanese population. The Tokugawa shogun had to receive Perry's letter. Later, Perry arrived with more ships to receive the reply, which is known as the Treaty of Kanagawa. -
US wins Spanish American War
Even though the Cubans lost to the Spanish, some Cubans still strived for Cuban independence. Jose Marti, a writer who was exiled from Cuba, started a second war. The Spanish was brutal in the ways they treated the Cubans, and put them in concentration camps. The Americans complained that the Spanish was too cruel on the Cubans, and helped the Cubans get their independence. The U.S attacked the Philippine Islands instead of Cuba, catching the Spanish off-guard, and won the war. -
Mexican Revolution begins
Porfirio Diaz was a total caudillo who was opposed to the ideas of Juarez and Santa Anna. The rule angered many Mexicans because it led to famine and limited their freedom. The most faomous and powerful party opposed to Diaz was led by Francisco Madero. Another army was led by Francisco "Pancho" Villa, who had a characteristics of Robin Hood. Another leader was Emiliano Zapata, who screamed "Tierra y Libertad" as a battle cry. These parties all helped Diaz step down from power. -
Panama Canal Opens
The United States wanted a new sea route that can cut across the continent to connect the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean because land travel took too long and was very difficult. Even though the French failed, U.S remained in favor of digging acroos Panama. The Colombian government demanded a lot of money for digging a canal, so the U.S helped Panamanians to gain their independence, and earned the right to build. Many workers died from the process due to diseases.
