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Monroe Doctrine is Developed
Many European countries would try to reconquer the new republics. The United states feared this too. In 1823, President James Monroe issued what came to be called the Monroe Doctrine. It stated that ¨The american continents...are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.¨ -
The Texas Revolt
In the 1820's, Mexico encouraged American citizens to move to the Mexican territory of Texas to help populate the country. As the Anglo population grew, tensions developed between the colonists and Mexico over several issues, including slavery and religion. As a result, many Texas colonists wanted greater self-government. But when Mexico refused to grant this, Stephan Austin, a leading Anglo, encouraged a revolt against Mexico. -
The Opium War
The growing supply of Opium caused great problems for China. Britain refused to stop trading Opium and the result was an open clash between the British and the Chinese. This was known as the Opium War. The battles took place mostly at sea. The Chinese suffered a humilitating defeat. -
European trading with Africa is established
Africans controlled their own trade networks and provided the trade items. These networks were specialized. The Chokwe, for example, devoted themselves to collecting ivory and beeswax in the Angola highlands. -
Commodore Perry enters Tokyo harbor
Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, representing the U.S. government, sails into Tokyo Bay, Japan, with a squadron of four vessels. For a time, Japanese officials refused to speak with Perry, but under threat of attack by the superior American ships they accepted letters from President Millard Fillmore, making the United States the first Western nation to establish relations with Japan since it had been declared closed to foreigners two centuries before. -
Suez Canal Opens
Muhammad Ali's son, Isma'il, supported the construction of the Suez Canal. The canal was a human-made waterway that cut through the Isthmus of Suez. It connected the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. -
Berlin Conference sets rules for African colonization
14 European nations met at the Berlin Conference in 1884-85 to lay down rules for the division of Africa. They agreed that any European country could claim land in Africa by notifying other nations of its claims and showing it could control the area. -
Japan Attacks China
China and Japan had an agreement to not send their armies into the ports of Korea, but China broke that agreement when Korea was full of rebellions and the king had requested for military assistance. Japan protested and sent it's troops to fight off the Chinese. The war only lasted a few months. In that time, Japan drove China out of Korea, destroyed the Chinese navy, and gained a foothold in Manchuria. -
United States Annexes Hawaii
The United States was very interested in Hawaii when it was a port on the way to China and East India. Some U.S. business leaders pushed for annexation of Hawaii, or the adding of the territory to the United States. -
Spanish-American War
The United States joined the Cuban war for independence. This conflict, which became known as the Spanish-American War, which lasted about four months. U.S. forces launched their first attack not on Cuba but on the Philippine Islands, a Spanish colony thousands of miles away in the Pacific. -
Boer War Begins in Africa
In many ways, the Boer War (also know as the South African War) between the British and the Boers was the first modern ¨total" war. The Boers launched commando raids and used guerilla tactics against the British. The British countered by burning Boer farms and imprisoning women and children in diesease-ridden concentration camps. -
Russo-Japanese War
Russia and Japan emerged as the major powers-and enemies-in East Asia. The two countries soon went to war over Manchuria. In 1903, Japan offered to recognize Russia's rights in Manchuria if the Russians would agree to stay out of Korea. But the Russian's refused. Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian ships anchored off the coast of Manchuria, resulting in the Russo-Japanese War. -
Mexican Revolution Begins
In the early 1900s, Mexicans from many walks of life began to protest Diaz's harsh rule. Idealistic liberals hungered for liberty. Farm laborers hungered for land. Workers hungered for fairer wages and better working conditions. Even some of Diaz's handpicked political allies spoke out for reform. A variety of political parties opposed to Diaz began to form. -
Japan annexes Korea
Japan attacked Korea with a vengence. In 1905, it made Korea a protectorate. In 1907, the Korean king gave up control of the country. Within two years the Korean Imperial Army was disbanded. In 1910, Japan officialy imposed annexation on Korea, or brought that country under Japan's control. -
Panama Canal Opens
In 1903, with help form the U.S. Navy, the Panamanians won their country's independence. In gratitude, Panama gave the United States a ten-mile-wide zone in which to build a canal. Thousands of workers died during construction of the canal. When it finally opened, ships from around the world began to use it.