U S Acquires Alaska v Purchased by Sec

U. S. Acquires Alaska v Purchased by Sec. of State William Seward in 1867 from Russia for $7. 2 million v“Seward’s Folly, ” “Seward’s Icebox” v. Land rich in natural resources: Lumber, Coal, Gold… v. Became a state in 1959

U. S. Takes Hawaii v Important economic (sugar) and military location v. US established Pearl Harbor Naval Base est. 1887, with permission from Hawaiian government. v. Business groups overthrew Queen Liliuokalani and took control of Hawaii v. When President Mc. Kinley took over, he annexed Hawaii without a vote (1898) v. Hawaii became 50 th state – 1959.

U. S. Interest in Cuba v 1854 – Tried to buy Cuba from Spain, was turned down v. US was interested in Cuba because: Business interests (sugar) and had sympathy for Cuban rebels against Spanish. v Spanish American War v. American troops attacked Spanish in Cuba v. America won: Treaty of Paris 1898, Peace Treaty with Spain v. Cuba = Independent, but a US protectorate (under the protection of American military, set up military outposts)

Guam and Puerto Rico and the Spanish American War Spain owns Puerto Rico and Guam Spanish American War begins: US wanted Spain out of Cuba and they disagreed over Spain’s use of concentration camps. Treaty of Paris 1898: Spain gives Puerto Rico and Guam to US control US happy with this arrangement. Puerto Rico and Guam both have economic advantages (plantation farming/cash crops) and military strategic positions (navy bases) They both remain under US ownership to this day.

Panama The US wanted to build a canal to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean so their naval ships don’t have to go all the way around South America to travel back and forth, Panama (the skinniest country) was the perfect spot. Colombia owned Panama and refused to let US build the canal Panama citizens wanted freedom from Colombia US supported Panama rebels in revolution Panama won independence and gave US permission to build and use a canal in their country Reduced NY – San Francisco trip over 50% From 13, 000 miles to 5, 200 miles

Philippines After the Spanish-American War, Spain sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million, as part of the Treaty of Paris 1898 Annexation Debate - Philippines PRO-Annexation ANTI-Annexation Educate Filipinos Violated the Uplift Filipinos Civilize Filipinos Declaration of Independence Denied Self-Government to the new territories Introduced more racial problems US decided to Annex the Philippines, but Filipinos fought for their independence and began a war with the US, the Philippine-American War During the war, more than 4, 000 American soldiers, about 20, 000 Filipino fighters, and an estimated 200, 000 Filipino civilians died. After a long struggle, the Filipinos received their independence in 1946.