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Monroe doctrine reflects specials US interests in Americas
The Monroe doctrine stated that no European power could take over the US or any of their territories. Later on, the Roosevelt Corollary was added to the Monroe doctrine, which added that the US had to ability to be an "international police power." This justified US intervention in Latin America, and the Latin Americans were unable to do anything to stop the US because they were much more powerful than the Latin Americans -
China and Britain clash in the Opium War
China had many products that the Europeans wanted to attain. However, the Europeans did not have a product that the Chinese were interested in. However, finally the British found opium. British merchants smuggled opium into China, and by the mid 1800's, many Chinese were addicted to the drug. After the British refused to stop selling opium to the Chinese, the two countries went to war. The battles mainly took place at sea, and the British ship were much more developed than the Chinese ships. -
Commodore Perry enters Tokyo Harbor
Like the Chinese, the Japanese did not want to trade with other Western powers. However, the US wanted to open up Japanese ports. The US sent Commodore Perry and four steamships into the Japanese harbor of what is not Tokyo Harbor. The Japanese also recieved a threatening note from the President, which stated that the Japanese would come back with a larger fleet to recieve their message. The Japanese as a result opened up their ports for the US and soon other European countries. -
US wins Spanish American War
The Cubans wanted to declare their independence from Spain. However, after 10 years of brutal fighting, the Cubans gave up their fight. Writer Jose Marti, who was exiled to the US after the Cubans lost, called for a second revolution. The US, who had established businesses in Cuba also joined the war. In only four months, the Cubans had earned their freedom. -
Mexican Revolution begins
During the Mexican Revolution, many leaders, or cuadillos, rose and fell. The the leader Santa Anna led the Mexican Army in the effort to retain Texas, but ultimately failed. Santa Anna died a peasant and forgotton. Another leader during Santa Anna's rule was Benito Juarez, a man who wanted reforms for the people. Juarez started reforms called "La Reforma" in an effort to rebuild Mexico. After Juarez came Madero, Villa, and Zapata. These three men ultimately ended the Revolution in Mexico. -
Panama Canal Opens
The Panama Canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which cut the travel time for shipments from the east coast to the west. The French tried to build this canal first, but they were unable to finish the canal. The Americans took interest into building the canal, but the Americans were unable to land a deal with the Colombia, the country that controlled Panama. The US encouraged a revolution in Colombia, which resulted in the Panama becoming their own country; the US then built the canal
