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US Imperialism
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Mexico
US President Polk leads a national sentiment of "manifest destiny", designed to expand federal rule from the east to west coast, including territory already occupied by natives. He offers to buy land from Mexico, but Mexico refuses. Texas, owned by Mexico, seeks US residents to "settle" there and "help grow the population". This led to the beginning the Mexican-American War. US gains control of Colorado, Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and New Mexico. -
Cuba
Ostend Manifesto issued by U.S. ministers to Europe. The ministers write up a document that urges the U.S. to annex Cuba. For the security of slavery, and that if Spain refuses to sell the island, it should be taken by force. The document caused a diplomatic firestorm, reinforcing foreign fears of aggressive American expansion. It helped lead to the civil war. -
USS Maine
The Battleship Maine is destroyed in Havana harbor, killing 260 of its crew. US put the blame on Spain. It was actually caused by something inside the ship. As a result of the war, Cuba assumes independence, Puerto Rico becomes an American possession, and from Spain, the US acquires Guam and the Philippines. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment is issued by Congress, which states that American troops will not withdraw from Cuba until the following conditions are included in their constitution: Cuba will not sign any agreement with a foreign power which will limit its independence; only the United States will be allowed to intervene to preserve Cuban independence and law and order; the Cubans agree to lease or sell naval stations to the United States. -
Panama Canal
The United States and Panama sign the Hay-Buneau-Varilla treaty. President Roosevelt is outraged, stating that "we may have to give a lesson to these jack rabbits". Stockholders of the New Panama Canal Company arrange a "revolution" in Panama and fund the rebels, assisted by the US Navy. Shortly after, Panama declares its independence from Colombia. United States got permanent rights to a 10-mile wide strip of land in return for $10,000,000 and an annual charge of $250,000 after nine years. -
Mexico
USS Dolphin, which is docked in the port of Tampico, Mexico, after they accidentally enter a restricted area. The Mexican government quickly releases them and issues an apology. Regardless of the regret expressed by Mexican President Victor Huerta, US Admiral Henry T. Mayo demands that Mexican troops salute an American flag as a sign of contrition. President Huerta refuses the salute. US Marines had seized Tampico, forced an apology. -
Japan
The United States becomes the first country to use atomic weapons in warfare, killing thousands of Japanese civilians in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Concluded the United States Strategic Bombing Survey of 1946, "air supremacy over Japan could have exerted sufficient pressure to bring about unconditional surrender and obviate the need for invasion. Based on a detailed investigation of all the facts, and supported by the testimony of the surviving Japanese leaders. -
Guatemala
Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán, the democratically-elected president of Guatemala, issues land reforms which threaten the interests of US-based United Fruit Company. CIA Director Allen Dules, along with his brother, both have stakes in the company. It heavily lobbies the US government to take action. Shortly after, the CIA begins training rebels, and sets up a radio station across the border led by fake rebels to instigate a revolution. Eventually, the Guatemalan president is sent into exile. -
Vietnam
The USS Maddox is gathering intelligence off the coast of North Vietnam when a group of North Vietnamese torpedo boats approach the ship. The Maddox opens fire, the North Vietnamese respond with torpedoes, but they are eventually driven away. It lead to the Vietnam War. By the end of the Vietnam War, millions of civilians perish, along with more than 50,000 US soldiers. -
Cambodia
President Richard Nixon announces that US troops are invading Cambodia, the country west of Vietnam through which the North Vietnamese are allegedly supplying their troops. For more than a year prior to the announcement, the US had been conducting bombing raids in the country.
