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America Sets its Sights on Alaska
The Secretary of State, William H Seward, set out to convince congress that buying Alaska would be a good economic investment. He wanted Alaska so the United States would increase its territory by 20 percent and have the access to its natural resources. -
The Purchase of Alaska is Official
The United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. It was owned by the United States officially on this date but Alaska did not become a state until 1946. -
The Attempted Annexation of Hawaii
When the United States tried to come and take over Hawaii, there was a large uprising by Hawaiians who were loyalists to their queen. When the Constitution was made, Hawaii was not mentioned as territory. -
Hawaii is Annexed
The loyalists planned an uprising but the government heard about the uprising and government opened fire on the loyalists. The Queen had to renounce all claims to the thrown when forced by the government. When McKinley was elected president, he officially annexed Hawaii in 1896. -
Yellow Journalism Takes Off
The newspapers were wanting to sell more and more papers to compete with each other. They started writing biased opinion and hiding it as fact. This boosted sales. -
America Wants to Help Cuba
America wanted armed intervention for Cuba, which was under Spanish control. McKinley sent the USS Maine to watch a Cuban port but on this date, the ship was hit by a Spanish mine on the way there. -
The Rough Riders Form
Teddy Roosevelt resigned from Assisstant Secretary of the Navy on this date. He then formed the first voluntary calvery in the Spanish American War. -
The Anti-Imperialist League is Formed
The League was established on this day. They opposed expansion because they believed imperialism went against a republic government. They believed expansion would also cause the loss of American ideals and religion. -
The Rough Riders are Famous
This day was their most famous time because on this day they did the attack of San Juan Hill. This was a main turning point in the Spanish American War. -
America Declares War
America officially declared war on April 11, 1898 against Spain. Spain had to surrender after an American victory on this date. The Teller Amendment was signed and Cuba was given freedom. -
America Claims Guam and Puerto Rico
When the Spanish American War had ended, the Treaty of Paris was signed. This treaty gave America Guam and Puerto Rico. -
Yellow Journalism Burns Out
The main men of yellow journalism were Joeseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. It began to die out in 1890 when the Spanish American War had ended. -
Open Door Policy is Issued in China
They did this due to economic possibilities. President Mckinley had made this policy in 1899 to open trade barriers with China. -
Open Door Policy is Not Popular in China
China did not like the new policy. It eventually led to the Boxer Rebellion. -
America Buys Puerto Rico
On this date, Puerto Rico was officially owned by the United States. They bought it from Spain for $20 million. They claimed Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippines to gain territory and show their power. -
The Anti-Imperialist League Dies Out
They were put to rest when politicians expained expansion and expansion seemed to be going good and actually helping to spread ideals and religion. -
The Boxer Rebellion Begins
The Boxer Rebellion was an uprising against Christianity and imperialism. The Chinese were frustrated with the Open Door Policy. -
The Boxer Rebellion is Put to Rest
The Emperor of China and the Boxers declared war. McKinley sent 2,500 men to help put down the uprising. They were sucessful. -
America Gets Involved with Venezuela and Panama
Teddy Roosevelt promised Panama that the United States would help free them from Columbia if they sold the US the Panama Canal. On this date, the US bought the Panama Canal. In Venezuela, they found oil so the US built a strong relationship with them for economic gain. -
Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy
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Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy
Roosvelt felt we should intimidate other countries to avoid war. The press took one of Roosevelt's African quotes of "speak softly and carry a big stick" and turned it into "Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy". This was his view on foreign policy. -
The Mexican Revolution Begins
Mexicans were frustrated with their dictator, Porpirio Diaz because he was giving people in the US, Mexican workers' land and they had no say about it. On this date, the revolution began. -
America Gets Involved with Nicaragua
The United States did not want anyone else, but the US, to build the Nicaragua Canal. They went into Nicaragua to control it but had to leave in 1933 when the Great Depression began. -
America Claims Neutrality at the start of WWI
President Woodrow Wilson claimed neutrality at the start of WWI and this was favored by many Americans. -
America Remains Neutral
Germany announced unrestricted warefare on ships. This sunk two American ships. Germany apologized and America stayed neutral. -
America Joins WWI
Four more American ships were sunk. On this date, America declared war on Germany. -
America Lands in France
The first American troops that landed in France began training for combat on this date. America was officially involved in the war. -
The Mexican Revolution Ends
The United States sided with Mexican workers for political, economic, social, and religious reasons. The revolution ended in 1917, but it was not a huge sucess because it did not fix all the political problems. -
Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points
Woodrow Wilson gave a speech to congress about his 14 points. It set up rules for a post-war world. -
Germany and Allies Agree to 14 Points
The points were based on American ideals and set up peace. In November of 1918, Germany and the Allies agreed to the 14 points that Wilson outlined.
