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Monroe Doctrine Reflects Special US Interests in Americas
The Monroe Doctrine was created by US president James Monroe. The Doctrine prevented Britain from further colonizing America. This inpired the Roosevelt Corallary, which built on the ideas in teh Monroe Doctrine by adding that lands in America's "backyard" could be American lands. -
China and Britain Clash in the Opium War
Britain had lots of trouble finding products that interested the Chinese, but they finally found an addictive drug called opium that had the Chinese hooked. The Chinese government was outraged by this, but Queen Victoria refused to cease selling the opium to the Chinese. This was when war was declared, and due the advanced modernization of technology, the British were able to annilhilate the Chinese. -
Commodore Perry Enters Tokyo Harbor
The Japanese chose to live in isolation which led to them being extremely behind in the modernization of the world. Yet, they still refused to open their ports to trade until Commodore Matthew Perry came with some beautiful ships to the Tokyo harbor. He then delivered a letter from US president Millard Fillmore that kindly requested that Japan open up some ports to at least the US. Matthew Perry threatened to come back with more ships, so the Japanese agreed through the Treaty of Kanagawa. -
US wins Spanish American War
When the Cubans were fighting for independence from Span, America decided to join in a begin the four month long Spanish American War. They won this pretty quickly, and Cuba gained independence, but the US installed a government in Cuba. US also gained control of the colonies of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippeans. -
Mexican Revolution Begins
Porfirio Diaz, the former president/dictator, was extremely unhappy when the people tried to elect Madero as president. As a result, Madero started the Mexican Revolution with the help of Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. Together they were able to defeat Diaz, and Madero was elected. -
Panama Canal Opens
The construction of the Panama Canal was first attempted by the French, but after a failed attempt, the US came in. When Colombia refused the US's proposition, the US helped the northern Colombians (Panamanians) rebel. The Panamanians were successful and created Panama. The US then came in and built the Panama Canal. After trouble with diseases, the canal was finally completed in 1914.
