-
Purchase of Louisiana
Louisiana was purchased from France, doubling the size of USA at the time. -
Taking of Florida
Florida was taken from Spain -
The Monroe Doctrine
By the early 19th century, all Latin American possessions of the Spanish Empire apart from Cuba and Puerto Rico had gained independence, the USA feared Spain may try to get back its possessions influencing European powers to extend their empires into the Americas. As a result, the Monroe Doctrine was signed stating that the USA would not interfere with European affairs but that European powers to intervene in the Americas would be viewed as an act of aggression and dealt with accordingly. -
Annexation of Texas
Thousands of American settlers moved into Texas which was at the time part of Mexico, however, the Mexican gov was weak and the settlers revolted establishing the Republic of Texas in 1836 then joining the USA in 1845. The annexation of Texas and the USA's involvement in the war against Mexico were seen as the actions of an aggressive bully attacking a poorer and weaker country. -
Treaty of Oregon
A boundary dispute between the USA and Britain was settled with the treaty of Oregon in which the USA gained control over an area of forests and good agricultural land with access to the Pacific Ocean -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Victory in the war against Spain led to the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in which the USA gained the present states of California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona. This provided a larger pacific coastline. -
The Donation Land Claim Act (Closing the Frontier)
Many early settlers in the far West were miners searching for gold. The gov encouraged more permanent settlement by enabling people to acquire cheap land. This act allowed settlers to take ownership of up to 640 acres of land in Oregon without charge. -
Gadsden Purchase
The USA purchased further land from Mexico -
Period: to
American Civil War
-
Homesteads Acts (Closing the Frontier)
These acts made land available to those willing to improve and farm it. As a result, more and more settlers were encouraged to move Westwards, settle on farms and push the frontier. -
Purchase of Alaska (end of expansion)
The purchase of Alaska from Russia brought an end to the continental expansion of the USA in the 19th century -
End of Continental Expansion
Europeans criticized the USA's expansion but Americans justified this with the concept of 'manifest destiny' which claimed the USA was destined to expand into, settle and rule over the whole North American Continent. The manifest destiny argued: Expansion was logical and inevitable, Aggressive US nationalism was desirable, USA had the 'divine right' to expand westwards, USA had a duty to spread its Christian values and culture, Incorporated countries would receive liberty and freedom -
Period: to
Cubans revolt against Spanish Rule/ US interests in Cuba as cause for Spanish American war
Cubans revolted against the Spaniards demanding independence. With an anti-imperial background, Americans viewed the Spanish rule as brutal and anti-democratic. Additionally, Cuba had become important to the US economy as a lot of money was invested in the production of sugar, tobacco, and nickel on the island. American interests were therefore threatened by the situation in Cuba esp the guerilla tactics used by Cuban rebels -
Period: to
Growth of USAs Output in Coal Industries
Less than 50 million tons were produced in 1870, by 1890 this had risen to 262 million tons. USA's closest rival Britain produced 219 million tons. -
Period: to
Growth of USAs Output in Cotton Industries
In 1870 the USA produced 4.25 bales of cotton by 1890 this had risen to 10.6 million (the USA's closest rival India was producing 3 million bales) -
The problem of Small Scale Banks
Although by 1900 the USA was outstripping its main European rivals in the output of key products, the country suffered from an unstable banking system and overdependence on the domestic market. Anyone could set up a bank and small-scale banks would invest unwisely. Railway speculator Jay Cooke borrowed 100 million and its bankruptcy destroyed hundreds of banks -
Period: to
Growth of USAs Output in Steel Industry
Steel output rose from 380,00 tons in 1875 to 13 million tons by 1890 (the USAs closest rival Germany was producing 6 million tons) By 1900 Andrew Carnegie's US company was producing more steel than the whole of Britain. -
NYSE becomes the Second largest money market in the world
The availability of investments capital through banks and the New York Stock Exchange on Wall street created economic growth. -
Period: to
USA Population Growth
USA's population grew from 31.5 million in 1880 to 76 million in 1900 this was aided by increasing immigration from Europe and Asia. This provided both labor and consumers, facilitating economic growth -
Census/ The Closing of the Frontier
The 1890 census revealed that settlements had been established across the entire USA. With no untamed areas left to settle, the gov announced the frontier was closed. The frontier rep adventure, freedom, and the opportunity to establish a new life, with no frontier these opportunities no longer existed. An essay by Johnson Turner stated that the success of the USA was directly influenced by the country's West Ward expansion as taming the wilderness had shaped American culture and character. -
Impact of the Closing of the Frontier
Americans began to look abroad for new opportunities, a new frontier to tame. Many senior American politicians and clergymen began to argue that it was the USA's duty to spread democracy and Christianity to the backward peoples. Josiah Strong in his book 'our country; claimed the Americans belonged to the superior Anglo-Saxon race which should civilize the 'savage races'. The closing of the frontier provided an incentive for the USA to expand overseas. -
Mahans Book/Growth of the Navy to Facilitate Overseas Trade
Overseas trade was necessary however it required investment in a strong navy to protect merchant fleets and the acquisition of foreign bases to protect US interests. These ideas were popularized by a book 'the influence of sea power upon history' by Captain Mahan, he argued that the greatness of a nation depended on naval power. The growth of the navy to protect overseas trades was popular with powerful Americans like the future president Theodore Roosevelt who had befriended Mahan. -
William Mckinely's speech/ The issue of Protectionism
The economic downturn of 1893 alerted businessmen to the dangers of relying on domestic markets. Large-scale farmers wanted access to overseas markets to not only sell their products but buy equipment as the high tariffs imposed on imports reduced profits. Democrats supported this move and wanted free trade. Republicans like Mckinley supported protectionism with him stating 'under free trade, the trader is the master and the producer a slave. Republican dominance meant high tariffs remained. -
Economic Downturn
Bankruptcies in industries ranging from banks to railways sparked a crisis which sparked a shortage fo cash leading to an economic downturn -
Unemployment due to an Economic Downturn
Industries laid-off workers after becoming bankrupt and unemployment rose from 3.7 million in 1892 to 12.3 million in 1894 -
President Mckinely Condemns Spanish Rule in Cuba
Mckinley made an attempt to persuade the Spanish to reform their methods of governing Cuba but this was publicly rejected in a manner the American public found insulting. (diplomatic attempt to resolve the problem) -
Theodore Roosevelt appointed Assitant Secretary of the Navy/ Cause of the Spanish American War
Roosevelt believed the USA should extend its influence outwards and he continued to grow the size and strength of the US navy, which began in 1882. A year before the Maine sinking he said a war with Spain was advisable on 'the grounds of humanity and self-interest' and such a war would test the military forces. Mckinley pursued a diplomatic solution whilst he prepared for war, ordering the occupancy of key ports like Manilla Bay, denying Spanish ships access to safe harbors and supplies. -
Annexation of Hawaii/Adoption of Imperialist Policies
Philippines provided USA with a strategic base to supply and defend trade with the Far East. Similarly, Hawaii did the same and reflected USAs new imperialist policies. Following trade treaties in the 1840s, Hawaii became important to the USA as a base for supplying American whaling vessels and a source of sugar cane. By 1870 American interests dominated their economy and in 1887 the USA established a naval base at Pear Harbobr. Realizing the country's strategic importance Hawaii was annexed. -
President Mckinely Declares war on Spain
The President declared war for a number of reasons: The aggressive and patriotic press campaign that inflamed public opinion after the sinking of Maine, To protect US business interests in Cuba, It was inevitable given the misrule of the Spanish and geographic closeness of Cuba, USA feared an independent Cuba it could not control, USA desired more territory to extend its commercial interests, US gov wanted to distract the Americans from the effects of the economic depression. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Spanish-American war was short-lived and the modern well equipped US navy defeated many Spanish fleets fearing for its safety Spain recalled the remaining ships and lost to the Cuban rebels and the few US soldiers. USA ignored the Cuban's contribution to the victory and did not consider them in the final peace settlement. The treaty gave USA control of nominally independent Cuba and Spain handed over control of the Phillippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam making the USA an imperial power. -
Sinking of the Maine & Yellow Journalism/ Cause for the Spanish American War
Although the USA remained neutral it sent a battleship 'the Maine' to Cuba to protect US citizens who had been caught up in the fighting. At 9:40 pm on 15 Feb 1898, 'the Maine' explodes in Havana harbor killing 268 American sailors. This sparked outrage in the USA, although the gov believed the explosion was an accident the American press argued that Spain was responsible and was critical of the govs weak response to the incident (yellow journalism) -
Period: to
The Filipino War/ American Opinion on Imperialism by1900
Almost immediately after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the Filipinos rebelled and in order to retain control, the USA was forced to fight a longer war than the one with Spain. Anti-imperialists like Bryan a democratic presidential candidate argued this was a betrayal of America's isolationist traditions. However, Bryans's defeat to Mckinley in the 1900 elections showed that the majority of Americans supported the USA's more towards imperialism. -
'The Indian Problem' (Closing the Frontier)
Having gained possession of most of North America, the American gov now encouraged people to settle in areas it termed the 'frontier' which were largely wild and remote. The army was then deployed to deal with the presence of Native Americans who were regarded as uncivilized savages. Brutal methods were used to deal with the 'Indian problem' and by 1900 fewer than 350,000 Native Americans were left. -
Competition in Overseas Trade (S. America)
Opportunities for the USA to expand overseas were restricted as European nations practiced protectionism throughout their empires. They were also facing competition in the S.America from European countries. By 1900 Britain had overtaken the USA as the main trading partner of Argentina (the largest S.American market). As a result access to markets in China and the Far East was viewed as vital to the USAs prosperity. -
Roosevelt becomes President/ Mckinely Assasinated
Less than a year into his second term, Mckinley was assassinated and Roosevelt was sworn in. He supported the new imperialistic direction of US foreign policy believing it was 'incumbent on all civilized and orderly powers to insist on the proper policing of the world'. He was to play a decisive role in the USA's adoption of a more imperialistic foreign policy -
The Spooner Act/ Construction of the Panama Canal
There had long been desire to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by canal to avoid the long/dangerous journey around the tip of S.America. In the 1860s Secretary of State Seward attempted negotiations but was stopped by the senate. By 1902 things had changed and the Spooner Act authorized USA to purchase a French company that failed in building the canal. Colombians did not support the canal causing USA to support Panamian independence after which USA used a 16km strip to build the canal. -
The Platt Amendment
Arguing that the Cubans were not fit to rule themselves, the US Congress passed the Platt amendment to the Cuban constitution. This gave USA control of Cuba's foreign, financial and commercial affairs. They were also granted rights to key land in Cuba including naval bases like Guantanamo bay. With US soldiers still in Cuba, locals had little choice other than to accept the amendment by treaty in 1903. A takeover of Cuban land by Americans followed and US businesses began to move into Cuba. -
Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine/USAs Sphere of Influence
Roosevelt announced an addition to the Monroe Doctrine to protect the independent countries of the Americas by warning Europe to stay out of the region. The corollary now sanctioned US armed intervention if any country in the region was threatened by internal or external factors. Thus the USA was establishing a sphere of influence in the Caribbean region -
Roosevelt sends US marines to the Dominican Republic
This was an exercise of the corollary to the Monroe doctrine whereby the US marines were sent to the Dominican Republic to prevent European powers from taking action to collect debts owed to them. protection of massive US investment was a more likely reason for American intervention. This reveals the selfish nature of a corollary prev argued to be in the best interest of other nations. -
Period: to
US Naval Tours/ Growth of US navy
Roosevelt began a major expansion of the navy, arguing this was to protect US economic interests as other countries were increasing their navy. He ordered the building of 16 battleships and sent them on an international tour to ensure the world was aware of the USAs naval strength. His policies were untraditional and he justified this by arguing that they protected US interests and prevented European esp German intervention in the Americas, this was regarded as a real threat to USAs security. -
Woodrow Wilson Elected President
Wilson saw no reason to become involved in a war thousands of miles away that was because of European conflicts. USA isolationist tradition meant it was unwilling to interfere in European affairs. US interests were not initially threatened by the war as the US benefited by taking over Ger and Br markets in S.America and giving loans to countries involved in the war. Wilson's neutrality policy was popular in the USA and he was reflected in 1916 on the basis of his commitment to remain neutral. -
Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand/ Trigger of WW1
Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of A-H was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. A-H then declared war on Serbia and Russ mobilized and declared war on them. In support of Austria-Hungary, Ger declared war on Russ and due to the requirements of its military planning on Fr. Ger troops entered Belg to attack Fr leading Br to honor its 1839 commitment to defend Belgian neutrality and declare war on Ger. Soldiers from several empires were brought to help the war effort. -
German U boat Warfare/ Reason USA joined WW1
Ger thought the USA was not as neutral as it claimed to be as although trade was open to all countries, as the allies could purchase and transport food and industrial products from the USA as Br controlled the Atlantic shipping routes. The majority of American bankers were pro-British, thus denied Ger access to US loans. As a result, Ger U-boats began regularly attacking ships crossing the Atlantic. This threatened to undermine the USA's attempts to maintain trading links with Europe. -
Sinking of the Lusitania/ Reason USA joined WW1
At first, Ger U boat attacks came with a warning so passengers could be evacuated however in 195 the Lusitania was sunk without warning killing more than 120 Americans. There was outrage across America and Woodrow released a warning to Ger. -
US Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan resigns replaced by Robert Lansing/ Reason USA joined WW1
Woodrow's warning to Ger after the Lusitania sinking caused Secretary of state Bryan to resign as he was a pacifist who strongly supported American isolationism. He believed the president's warning was too strongly worded and was likely to be interpreted by Ger as the prelude to a declaration of war. There was also evidence suggesting the Lusitania had been carrying some munitions as the Ger claimed. Bryan was replaced by Lansing who was thought USA could not remain neutral forever. -
Sinking of the Susses/ Reason USA joined WW1
Another passenger ship the Sussex suffered the same fate as the Lusitania killing 3 Americans and Wilson again threatened Ger with breaking diplomatic relations if it was to happen again. The Ger government's promised not to attack passenger ships, which diffused the situation for a while. However, Ger attacks against all ships entering an exclusion zone it had marked around Br and Fr clearly threatened the USAs trading interests. -
Zimmerman Telegram/Reason USA Joined WW1
Br decoded a telegram from the Ger foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman to the Ger ambassador in Mexico. The ambassador was to discuss with the Mexicans the possibility of invading the USA if it entered the war with the allies. Ger offered to help Mexico reclaim territories lost to the USA. Br was hesitant to prove the telegram was real as this could reveal Br decoding tactics. However, American anger due to Ger U-boat attacks and desperation for a new ally led Br to tell USA about the telegram. -
USA declares War
After the Zimmerman Telegram Wilson was convinced that American interests were under threat and declared war on Ger. Despite the USA's longstanding isolationism, many American politicians were ins support of the decision. American public opinion was also largely supportive of the decision and anti-Mexican/German sentiments grew. The large Irish/German populations who were anti -Britsh opposed the decision to fight with the allies and some of the press insisted the telegram was forged. -
Wilsons 14 Point Speech
Wilson delivered a speech to the US Congress in which he outlined the USA's war aims and his vision for the future. Wilson listed his 14 points which he argued should form the basis of peace when the war ended. (ref pg 42) Patriotic sentiment was high characterized by anti-Ger violence. To prevent opposition groups Wilson created the Committee on Public Info to promote the USAs war efforts. Under Creel, the CPI mounted a massive pro-war campaign and Wilson began an anti-Ger propaganda campaign. -
USAs Impact on the course of WW1
The US navy played an important role in defeating the Ger U-boats in the Atlantic ensuring the supply of vital items. Over 2 mill soldiers went to Fr and the tired allowed soldiers enthusiastically greeted them where they arrived 10,000 a day. The new recruits helped the allies resist the Spring offensive and launch their own counteroffensive eventually winning the war. However, some argue the presence of US soldiers made little difference as the allies had already established a strategic adv. -
Impact of WW1 on USA
For US the war was short and successful. No fighting took place on American soil and its industries had expanded to meet increased wartime demand. US supplied the allies and extended its markets in S.America and the Far East. Br funded its war effort with private US loans but after US joined the war the gov gave high-interest loans to the allies. By 1918 USA was the greatest financial power in the world and by 1919 the USA was the most powerful and important world power.