World Events in the late 1890s

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Recommended: Territorial expansion 1800 to 1855

1) In the 1890s, U.S. territory expansion changed from a westward march over contiguous territory meant to be settled; to an Imperialist policy to gain already populated colonies for military bases and trade posts. Prior to 1890, the United States was gaining territory to be settled by Americans and to possibly become future states. The frontier was now populated and opportunity was decreasing. Industrialization had increased productivity, and foreign markets were now essential. Europe was expanding quickly in Africa and Asia and there was concern about access to those markets. There was also a shift in public opinion of imperialism, away from viewing it as contradictory with republican ideals, and towards a moral duty to help backward nations and their people become more like the U.S., better. The U.S. became more involved in foreign affairs because it affected their continued success and growth. The Monroe Doctrine and Pan-Americanism reflected the goal of the U.S. reaching out influence beyond just its borders. 3) During the late 1800s, the United States reasserted the Monroe doctrine and promoted Pan-American interests. By supporting Cuban independence from Spain, participating in the Inter-American Conference, making reciprocity provisions in the McKinley Tariff Act, and being involved in the Venezuela-British Guiana border dispute, the U.S. showed a this change in foreign policy. Prior to this period, America had been isolationist, concentrating on domestic issues and nation building. America was now going to be an active player in anything that happened in the Western Hemisphere. Security and economic interests were going to be protected and American influence was going to be spread. 5) Cuba’s fighting for independence fr... ... middle of paper ... ...fter suffering big losses. There was fear that Germany would rise again if allowed to walk away with too much. Also, the allies had already made quiet deals if the war was won, so negotiations were not starting from scratch. President Wilson’s idea of peace was not likely to succeed. 26) The United States entered WWI in 1917 because of the Zimmerman telegram. This intercepted telegram was further proof that Germany intended to take WWI to America. By proposing an alliance with Mexico and promising U.S. territory to Mexico in exchange for alliance, the U.S. now had a direct threat. The thought that the war would stay overseas was diminished. The U.S. already knew that German U-Boats were supplying arms to Mexico, and U.S.-Mexico relations were already strained because of America’s invasion to fight off German’s. U.S. Democracy was threatened and war was declared.

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