Week of December 4 - December 8

Monday - Spanish - American War (Lasted 3 Months)

Jose Marti - Wants Cuban independence, Destroyed American property making it look like Spain did it, War was declared with Spain. 

Yellow Press - Instigated the war, United the general public to want war with Spain, Made people feel sorry for the Cubans

The USS Maine Sinking - Yellow Press said that Spain did it, The US Battleship Maine was sunk/exploded, Sent to Havana to protect American interest(Don't mess with us)

De Lome Letter - Letter written by a Spanish ambassador criticizing President McKinley weak and only concerned with the favor of the crowd

On April 25, 1898 the United States declared war on Spain, Teller Amendment was added to the declaration of war against Spain, Guaranteed Cuban independence after war, The US took other land areas instead

Front in the Spanish - American War - Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico

Rough Riders - Group of tough men 

1898 Treaty of Paris - Brought an official end to the war, Spain gave Cuba independence(Kind of), US got control of the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico

Defeated the Spanish, Got more land, Short and splendid, The US became an empire, Navy was excellent, 385 deaths, 1500 died due to disease

Building an Empire 

Puerto Americans were granted US citizenship, Currently a US territory, Can't vote 

Platt Amendment - US retained the right to intervene to preserve Cuban independence and stability

The US got control of Guantanamo Bay, a naval base we still have today 

The Philippines - 20 million dollars, President McKinley decided to take the Philippines

Philippine - American War - war broke out after Filipinos realized the US was not going to give them independence, Ended with American control over the islands

In 1941, The Philippines are invaded by Japan

On July 4, 1946, the Philippines attained its independence 

China - By the late 1800's, it was looking as if China would be carved up like Africa had been, China wanted to prevent this 

Tuesday - Open Door Policy - We don't want China taken over by all of these countries; belief that all countries should be able to trade with china 

Assumed Presidency after McKinley was killed; Peacemaker - Ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, Won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, Panama Canal, Roosevelt Corollary 

The Roosevelt Corollary - An addition to the Monroe Doctrine, Said that the US would be the police officer between Latin America and Europe, The US would use force to protect interests in Latin America 

Big Stick Diplomacy - "Speak softly and carry a big stick"

Big Stick represents Military Strength

The Great White Fleet - Painted all of our ships white so that they could be seen, Sailed around the world, Sent the message that the US is now a major power

Dollar Diplomacy (Taft) - Economic Imperialism - Using the US government to guarantee loans to foreign countries by US banks and businesses - US banks were in control of many businesses in Latin America

Wednesday - Wilson's ethical and religious beliefs also influenced his foreign policy

US would not recognize any government that was oppressive, undemocratic and hostile toward the US

Villa was pro-American at first but soon changed after President Carranza asked US to control Mexican mines 

Killed dozens of US citizens on 2 different occasions(once on US soil) 

President Wilson ordered General John Pershing to go into Mexico and capture Villa 

The Mexican Army clashed with Pershing's forces 

By 1917, both sides backed down (WWl) 

Countries of WWl - Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States

Germany was very powerful

Central Power - Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire 

Allied Power - Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia, Belgum, Japan

Neutral Power - Switzerland ; Spain

Causes of WWl: M.I.N.E.S

                           M - Militarism 

                            I - Imperialism 

                           N - Nationalism 

                           E - Economic Competition $$$$

                           S - System of Alliances 

Thursday - The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - Gavrilo Princip (Check out link for more) 

This sparked WW1 

Chain of Events-Leading to Outbreak of War 

  • Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand 
  • Austria-Hungary sends ultimatum(Do this, or else) to Serbia
  • Serbia refuses to accept ultimatum 
  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia after Germany gives them carte blanche
  • Russia mobilizes to support Serbia 
  • Germany declares war on Russia - Hoped to knock Russia out of war quickly to avoid a two-fronted war? Why? 
  • France enters war to help Russia 
  • Great Britain enters war to help France after Germany attacks France through neutral Belgium 

Weapons 

Friday - 3 types of trenches - Front Line, Support, Reserve

Barbed wire was used to slow down the other side. Tanks could destroy barbed wire. 

"No Man's Land" 

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